Average
#156 of 302 schools in RI
Melville School
Elementary School · Portsmouth
1351 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#4 of 4
public schools
Rhode Island elementary schools
#81 of 172
In district
#4 of 4
Portsmouth
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Melville School
Melville School serves 330 students from prekindergarten through fourth grade in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, earning recognition as one of the state's top elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking 37th out of 303 Rhode Island schools, Melville places in the 88th percentile statewide for academic performance. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment conducive to individualized attention.
Academic results show 52% of students performing at proficient levels or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels, contributing to the school's strong 8.5 out of 10 academic score. Melville School draws families from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $107,360 and 60% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and educational investment, with a low poverty rate of 5.2% and median home values of $486,800.
This demographic profile supports a learning environment where educational achievement is highly valued. Located on West Main Road in Portsmouth's large suburban setting, Melville School serves a well-established community in Newport County that prioritizes academic excellence and provides strong family support for student learning.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Melville School — Students at Melville School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.7%
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: 4.6/10.
How Melville School Compares
See how Melville School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
1351 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Melville School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fort Barton School (rated 9.4/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Tiverton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Howard Hathaway School (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Avenue School (rated 8.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Portsmouth | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Portsmouth Middle School Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| THE PENNFIELD SCHOOL Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Portsmouth High School Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 9.3 |
| SEA ROSE MONTESSORI CO-OP Portsmouth | 2.5 mi | — |
| Howard Hathaway School Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Forest Avenue School Middletown | 4.0 mi | 8.1 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Middletown | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Gaudet Middle School Middletown | 4.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Gaudet Learning Academy Middletown | 4.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Middletown High School Middletown | 4.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Fort Barton School Tiverton | 4.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Claiborne Pell Elementary Newport | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Aquidneck School Middletown | 6.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Colt Andrews School Bristol | 6.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Guiteras School Bristol | 6.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Frank E. Thompson Middle Newport | 6.6 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MICHAELS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newport | 6.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Mt. Hope High School Bristol | 7.3 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02871 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,135
Median Home Value
$539,700
Median Rent
$1,577/mo
Population
17,635
College Educated
59.6%
Homeownership
80.5%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Melville School has a median household income of $119,135. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $539,700, with a median rent of $1,577/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| B.F. Norton Elementary School Cumberland, RI | 6.3 |
| Lillian Feinstein El. School Providence, RI | 6.3 |
| Holliman School Warwick, RI | 6.1 |
| Mary E. Fogarty El. School Providence, RI | 6.1 |
| The Compass School Kingston, RI | 6.1 |
| Ashton School Cumberland, RI | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Melville School
What grades does Melville School serve?
Melville School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Melville School?
Melville School has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Melville School?
The student-teacher ratio at Melville 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 Melville School rank in RI?
Melville School is ranked #156 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Melville School's MySchoolScout rating?
Melville School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Melville School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Melville School has 50.3% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Melville School a charter school?
No, Melville School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Melville School a Title I school?
No, Melville School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Melville School?
12.7% of students at Melville 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (364/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portsmouth). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 330
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Newport County
- Phone
- (401) 683-1650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth- District Enrollment
- 2,161
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,220
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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.
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