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Below Average

#256 of 302 schools in RI

Block Island School

School · New Shoreham

Block Island School High Street, Block Island, RI 02807

Enrollment

125

Student-Teacher

5.7:1

Score

4.8

Grades

1st – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Rhode Island schools

#13 of 13

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Block Island School

Block Island School is a small, rural public school located on High Street in Block Island, Rhode Island. Serving students from first grade through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 125 students and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 5.7:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Block Island School is solid but shows room for improvement; it ranks 135th out of 303 schools in Rhode Island, placing it around the 56th percentile state-wide.

In terms of test scores, 57% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 40% are proficient or above in math. Block Island School is a tight-knit community where teachers and students form strong bonds due to its small size and rural setting. The school fosters a nurturing environment that focuses on student development beyond academics, including social skills and personal growth.

Located on the picturesque Block Island, the school benefits from the island’s serene natural surroundings, providing unique opportunities for outdoor learning and enrichment activities. With its cozy atmosphere and dedicated staff, Block Island School offers a supportive educational experience in one of Rhode Island's most charming rural settings.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 125 students, Block Island School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.7:1, Block Island School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Block Island School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$45,147

Block Island School — Students at Block Island School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from RI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Block Island School Compares

See how Block Island School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in RI
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

Block Island School High Street, Block Island, RI 02807

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Block Island School may also want to explore other schools in the area. BRADLEY SCHOOL-SOUTH (rated 6.7/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Wakefield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chariho Alternative Learning A (rated 6.4/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Wood River Junction), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Block Island, see our Block Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Matunuck School Wakefield 15.3 mi 9.6
MIDDLEBRIDGE SCHOOL Narragansett 18.1 mi 7.4
Narragansett Pier School Narragansett 18.9 mi 9.0
Narragansett High School Narragansett 19.0 mi 8.9
Dunn's Corners School Westerly 16.8 mi 6.6
Narragansett Elementary Narragansett 19.4 mi 9.8
South Kingstown High Wakefield 19.8 mi 8.8
MONSIGNOR MATTHEW CLARKE CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Wakefield 19.7 mi 4.1
Westerly Middle School Westerly 17.3 mi 6.6
Peace Dale School Peace Dale 20.3 mi 5.9
BRADLEY SCHOOL-SOUTH Wakefield 20.3 mi 6.7
Charlestown Elementary School Charlestown 20.3 mi 5.1
Broad Rock Middle School Wakefield 20.6 mi 6.5
West Kingston School West Kingston 21.7 mi 5.1
Chariho Regional Middle School Wood River Junction 20.9 mi 6.0
Chariho High School Wood River Junction 21.0 mi 6.8
Chariho Alternative Learning A Wood River Junction 21.0 mi 6.4
State Street School Westerly 19.5 mi 5.9
The Compass School Kingston 22.9 mi 6.1
Westerly High School Westerly 19.8 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02807 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,450

Median Home Value

$936,200

Median Rent

$1,422/mo

Population

829

College Educated

51.3%

Homeownership

71.8%

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

51.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Block Island School has a median household income of $72,450. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $936,200, with a median rent of $1,422/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Block Island School

What grades does Block Island School serve?

Block Island School serves students in grades 1st through 12th.

How many students attend Block Island School?

Block Island School has an enrollment of approximately 125 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Block Island School?

The student-teacher ratio at Block Island School is 5.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Block Island School rank in RI?

Block Island School is ranked #256 out of 302 schools in RI.

What is Block Island School's MySchoolScout rating?

Block Island School has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Block Island School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Block Island School has 40.3% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Block Island School a charter school?

No, Block Island School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Block Island School a Title I school?

No, Block Island School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Block Island School?

19.2% of students at Block Island School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 12th
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

New Shoreham
District Enrollment
126
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$44,438
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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