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Below Average

#276 of 302 schools in RI

Joseph A. Whelan School

Elementary School · North Providence

1440 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904

Enrollment

245

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Providence

#7 of 9

public schools

Rhode Island elementary schools

#149 of 172

In district

#6 of 8

North Providence

About Joseph A. Whelan School

Joseph A. Whelan School is an elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in North Providence, Rhode Island. With a total enrollment of 245 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child succeed academically and socially.

Joseph A. Whelan School has 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10, placing it in the 34th percentile among Rhode Island schools with a state ranking of #201 out of 303 schools.

In terms of academic performance, Joseph A. Whelan School has an average ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 34% and a Math proficiency rate of 20%, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. Located in a large suburban area, Joseph A.

Whelan School benefits from a community that values education and supports its students' growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,051

Joseph A. Whelan School — Students at Joseph A. Whelan School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
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
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
27%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Joseph A. Whelan School Compares

See how Joseph A. Whelan School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in RI
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

1440 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph A. Whelan School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pleasant View School (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Providence), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PIUS V SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Providence), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harry Kizirian Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Providence), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Providence, see our North Providence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Birchwood Middle School North Providence 0.5 mi 8.0
Stephen Olney School North Providence 0.6 mi 2.4
E-Cubed Academy Providence 0.9 mi 8.3
Veazie Street School Providence 1.1 mi 6.0
North Providence High North Providence 1.0 mi 7.6
R.I. School for the Deaf Providence 1.3 mi 6.5
Robert F. Kennedy El. School Providence 1.6 mi 5.1
ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Providence 1.5 mi 5.9
LA SALLE ACADEMY Providence 1.6 mi 3.6
THE SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL Providence 1.4 mi 7.3
Pleasant View School Providence 1.3 mi 7.8
ST PIUS V SCHOOL Providence 1.7 mi 6.5
James L. McGuire School North Providence 1.5 mi 3.6
Esek Hopkins Middle Providence 1.6 mi 5.9
Mount Pleasant High Providence 1.9 mi 5.0
GEORGE N HUNT CAMPUS SCHOOL North Providence 1.6 mi
Nathanael Greene School Pawtucket 1.5 mi 4.4
Harry Kizirian Elementary Providence 2.1 mi 6.1
Nathanael Greene Middle Providence 2.2 mi 6.3
Blackstone Valley Prep Upper E Lincoln 2.0 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02904 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,637

Median Home Value

$302,200

Median Rent

$1,217/mo

Population

32,462

College Educated

32.1%

Homeownership

51.3%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joseph A. Whelan School has a median household income of $64,637. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $302,200, with a median rent of $1,217/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Greenwood School Warwick, RI 4.2
Rockwell School Bristol, RI 4.2
Blackstone Valley Prep Element Cumberland, RI 4.1
MONSIGNOR MATTHEW CLARKE CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Wakefield, RI 4.1
Western Coventry School Coventry, RI 4.1
Brown Avenue School Johnston, RI 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph A. Whelan School

What grades does Joseph A. Whelan School serve?

Joseph A. Whelan School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Joseph A. Whelan School?

Joseph A. Whelan School has an enrollment of approximately 245 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph A. Whelan School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph A. Whelan School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joseph A. Whelan School rank in RI?

Joseph A. Whelan School is ranked #276 out of 302 schools in RI.

What is Joseph A. Whelan School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph A. Whelan School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Joseph A. Whelan School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph A. Whelan School has 20.3% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Joseph A. Whelan School a charter school?

No, Joseph A. Whelan School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Joseph A. Whelan School a Title I school?

No, Joseph A. Whelan School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph A. Whelan School?

42.9% of students at Joseph A. Whelan 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
Elevated (748/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Providence County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Providence
District Enrollment
3,543
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,022
District Rank
#6 of 8

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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