Average
#185 of 302 schools in RI
Frank E. Thompson Middle
Middle School · Newport
55 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
5.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
5.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport
#3 of 3
public schools
Rhode Island middle schools
#42 of 59
In district
#3 of 3
Newport
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Frank E. Thompson Middle
Frank E. Thompson Middle, located in Newport, Rhode Island, is a regular public middle school serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 500 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, the school benefits from a strong teacher presence, with 62 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
The academic performance at Frank E. Thompson Middle is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by the MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and the state ranking of #200 out of 303 schools in Rhode Island (34th percentile). The school's Academic Score of 2.6/10 indicates areas where focused effort can lead to significant growth, particularly in ELA and math, with only 19% of students proficient or above in reading and 14% in mathematics.
Despite these challenges, the school is well-positioned for positive change within its large suburban setting. Frank E. Thompson Middle is situated in an area that offers a range of community resources and opportunities for student engagement outside the classroom.
Overall, Frank E. Thompson Middle sits in the heart of Newport's bustling suburban landscape, providing students with a rich environment for personal and academic development.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, Frank E. Thompson Middle 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Frank E. Thompson Middle — Students at Frank E. Thompson Middle score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from RI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.5/10.
How Frank E. Thompson Middle Compares
See how Frank E. Thompson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 14% (2022).
Location
55 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Frank E. Thompson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jamestown School-Lawn (rated 8.4/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Jamestown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Portsmouth Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gaudet Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport, see our Newport schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MICHAELS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newport | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Claiborne Pell Elementary Newport | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Rogers High School Newport | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Aquidneck School Middletown | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Middletown High School Middletown | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Middletown | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Forest Avenue School Middletown | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Gaudet Middle School Middletown | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Gaudet Learning Academy Middletown | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Jamestown School-Lawn Jamestown | 3.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Portsmouth Middle School Portsmouth | 4.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Jamestown School-Melrose Jamestown | 3.6 mi | 9.5 |
| SEA ROSE MONTESSORI CO-OP Portsmouth | 4.6 mi | — |
| THE PENNFIELD SCHOOL Portsmouth | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Melville School Portsmouth | 6.6 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Portsmouth | 7.6 mi | 7.4 |
| PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL Portsmouth | 7.8 mi | 8.2 |
| QUEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Narragansett | 6.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Portsmouth High School Portsmouth | 8.9 mi | 9.3 |
| Wilbur and McMahon Schools Little Compton | 7.2 mi | 9.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02840 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,515
Median Home Value
$669,500
Median Rent
$1,610/mo
Population
23,615
College Educated
55.1%
Homeownership
49.6%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Frank E. Thompson Middle has a median household income of $83,515. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $669,500, with a median rent of $1,610/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Vincent J. Gallagher Middle Smithfield, RI | 5.7 |
| Calcutt Middle School Central Falls, RI | 5.9 |
| Esek Hopkins Middle Providence, RI | 5.9 |
| Woonsocket Middle @ Villa Nova Woonsocket, RI | 5.9 |
| Hugh B. Bain Middle School Cranston, RI | 6.0 |
| Joseph Jenks Middle School Pawtucket, RI | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Frank E. Thompson Middle
What grades does Frank E. Thompson Middle serve?
Frank E. Thompson Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Frank E. Thompson Middle?
Frank E. Thompson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Frank E. Thompson Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Frank E. Thompson Middle is 8.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Frank E. Thompson Middle rank in RI?
Frank E. Thompson Middle is ranked #185 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Frank E. Thompson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Frank E. Thompson Middle has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Frank E. Thompson Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Frank E. Thompson Middle has 13.7% math proficiency and 19.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Frank E. Thompson Middle a charter school?
No, Frank E. Thompson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Frank E. Thompson Middle a Title I school?
No, Frank E. Thompson Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Frank E. Thompson Middle?
70.4% of students at Frank E. Thompson Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,675/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 500
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Newport County
- Phone
- (401) 847-1493
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport- District Enrollment
- 1,856
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,134
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.