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Average

#229 of 302 schools in RI

Charles E. Shea High School

High School · Pawtucket

485 East Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Enrollment

823

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pawtucket

#12 of 18

public schools

Rhode Island high schools

#49 of 58

In district

#11 of 16

Pawtucket

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Charles E. Shea High School

Charles E. Shea High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, with an enrollment of 823 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, supported by 62 full-time equivalent teachers.

Located on East Avenue in a large suburban area, the school is a regular public high school serving the Providence County region. Academically, Charles E. Shea High School is working to strengthen its performance.

The school's current academic score is 2.4 out of 10, with state rankings showing room for significant growth. In English language arts, 20 percent of students are reaching proficiency levels or above, while mathematics proficiency stands at 6 percent across grade levels. This indicates the school is focused on supporting student development in core academic areas, with particular emphasis needed in mathematics instruction and intervention.

With a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.7 out of 10, Charles E. Shea High School ranks 221st among Rhode Island's 303 schools. The school serves a diverse student body in a suburban setting and continues working toward improved educational outcomes for its community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Charles E. Shea High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,441

Charles E. Shea High School — Students at Charles E. Shea High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Charles E. Shea High School Compares

See how Charles E. Shea High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in RI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

485 East Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Charles E. Shea High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Blackstone Academy Charter (rated 6.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST RAPHAEL ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacqueline M. Walsh School (rated 5.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pawtucket, see our Pawtucket schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Francis J. Varieur School Pawtucket 0.3 mi 8.1
International Charter School Pawtucket 0.3 mi 4.8
Blackstone Academy Charter Pawtucket 0.3 mi 6.5
Samuel Slater Middle School Pawtucket 0.9 mi 5.4
OCEAN TIDES SCHOOL Providence 0.9 mi
Cunningham School Pawtucket 0.9 mi 3.9
ST RAPHAEL ACADEMY Pawtucket 1.0 mi 6.3
William E. Tolman High Pawtucket 1.1 mi 5.0
Agnes E. Little School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 5.6
Joseph Jenks Middle School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 6.0
Jacqueline M. Walsh School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 5.4
Central Falls Sr High Central Falls 1.5 mi 4.9
PROVIDENCE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Providence 1.5 mi 7.0
G. Harold Hunt School Central Falls 1.5 mi 5.9
Nathanael Greene School Pawtucket 1.3 mi 4.4
Segue Inst for Learning Central Falls 1.6 mi 6.9
Veterans Memorial Elementary Central Falls 1.7 mi 6.5
Nathan Bishop Middle Providence 1.7 mi 7.5
Calcutt Middle School Central Falls 1.7 mi 5.9
Raices Upper Dual Language Acd Central Falls 1.7 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,954

Median Home Value

$287,400

Median Rent

$1,112/mo

Population

47,372

College Educated

25.5%

Homeownership

39.9%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Charles E. Shea High School has a median household income of $59,954. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,400, with a median rent of $1,112/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Mount Pleasant High Providence, RI 5.0
William E. Tolman High Pawtucket, RI 5.0
Central Falls Sr High Central Falls, RI 4.9
Metropolitan Career Tech Ctr Providence, RI 4.7
West Warwick High School West Warwick, RI 5.7
Hope High School Providence, RI 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Charles E. Shea High School

What grades does Charles E. Shea High School serve?

Charles E. Shea High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Charles E. Shea High School?

Charles E. Shea High School has an enrollment of approximately 823 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Charles E. Shea High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Charles E. Shea High School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Charles E. Shea High School rank in RI?

Charles E. Shea High School is ranked #229 out of 302 schools in RI.

What is Charles E. Shea High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Charles E. Shea High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Charles E. Shea High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charles E. Shea High School has 5.8% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Charles E. Shea High School a charter school?

No, Charles E. Shea High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Charles E. Shea High School a Title I school?

No, Charles E. Shea High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charles E. Shea High School?

65.5% of students at Charles E. Shea High 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 →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,826/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pawtucket). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
823
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Providence County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pawtucket
District Enrollment
7,887
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,420
District Rank
#11 of 16

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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