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Below Average

#234 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

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Rhode Island schools

#234 of 302

In Pawtucket

#12 of 18

public schools

In district

#11 of 16

Pawtucket

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Charles E. Shea High School

4.9/10

High School in Pawtucket · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Francis J. Varieur School

6.7/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

International Charter School

3.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Charles E. Shea High School

Charles E. Shea High School is a public high school in Pawtucket, RI, part of Pawtucket. Charles E.

Shea High School serves approximately 823 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Charles E. Shea High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #234 of 302 schools in RI.

Structured state assessment records for Charles E. Shea High School show 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • RI avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Charles E. Shea High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

59% of students at Charles E. Shea High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness4.9Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
AP Participation15.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,420
Chronic Absenteeism59.1%

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 8.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from RI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
10%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
16%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
13%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
14%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
15%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
0.5%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
16%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
2.5%
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: 8.2/10.

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
4.9/10
23th percentile in RI
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
26
13 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
59.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
15.4% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics26sports offered
13 boys'·13 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Jacqueline M. Walsh School (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 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, Blackstone Academy Charter (rated 6.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably 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 6.7
International Charter School Pawtucket 0.3 mi 3.8
Blackstone Academy Charter Pawtucket 0.3 mi 6.0
Samuel Slater Middle School Pawtucket 0.9 mi 3.4
OCEAN TIDES SCHOOL Providence 0.9 mi
Cunningham School Pawtucket 0.9 mi 4.5
ST RAPHAEL ACADEMY Pawtucket 1.0 mi 6.3
William E. Tolman High Pawtucket 1.1 mi 4.4
Agnes E. Little School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 5.3
Joseph Jenks Middle School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 4.2
Jacqueline M. Walsh School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 7.2
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 5.3
Nathanael Greene School Pawtucket 1.3 mi 5.9
Segue Inst for Learning Central Falls 1.6 mi 6.4
Veterans Memorial Elementary Central Falls 1.7 mi 6.1
Nathan Bishop Middle Providence 1.7 mi 5.9
Calcutt Middle School Central Falls 1.7 mi 5.3
Raices Upper Dual Language Acd Central Falls 1.7 mi 4.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Falls Sr High Central Falls, RI 4.9
Hope High School Providence, RI 4.9
Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS Providence, RI 4.8
Central High School Providence, RI 5.3
William E. Tolman High Pawtucket, RI 4.4
Mount Pleasant High Providence, RI 4.3

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 ranks #234 of 302 schools in RI.

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

Charles E. Shea High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Charles E. Shea High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Charles E. Shea High School has 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
59.1%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

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

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