Very Good
#85 of 302 schools in RI
Top 28% in state
Paul Cuffee Lower School
Elementary School · Paul Cuffee Charter Sch
459 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Providence
#12 of 58
public schools
Rhode Island elementary schools
#49 of 172
In district
#1 of 3
Paul Cuffee Charter Sch
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Paul Cuffee Lower School
Paul Cuffee Lower School is a charter elementary school located in Providence, Rhode Island. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 357 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. As a public charter school, Paul Cuffee Lower School operates independently within the state’s education system but still adheres to Rhode Island's academic standards.
Academically, the school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and is ranked as the 147th best elementary school in Rhode Island, placing it around the 52nd percentile among similar schools. In terms of proficiency levels, only 22% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for improvement and growth in student achievement.
The school’s setting is within a mid-size city environment, providing students with opportunities to engage with diverse urban communities and resources. Paul Cuffee Lower School sits at the heart of Providence, offering its young learners access to a vibrant city life alongside their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Paul Cuffee Lower School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Paul Cuffee Lower School — Students at Paul Cuffee Lower School score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
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: 6.6/10.
How Paul Cuffee Lower School Compares
See how Paul Cuffee Lower School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
459 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paul Cuffee Lower School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Times2 Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST PIUS V SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Providence, see our Providence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nathanael Greene Middle Providence | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Harry Kizirian Elementary Providence | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| ST PATRICK ACADEMY Providence | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| BRADLEY SCHOOL PROVIDENCE Providence | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Urban Collaborative Program Providence | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Times2 Elementary School Providence | 0.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Times2 Middle/High School Providence | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Classical High School Providence | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Providence Career Technical Providence | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| RINI Middle College Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Sheila Skip Nowell Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Trinity Academy Performing Art Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Central High School Providence | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| West Broadway Middle School Providence | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ST PIUS V SCHOOL Providence | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Charette Charter School Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Paul Cuffee Middle School Providence | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| YouthBuild Preparatory Academy Providence | 0.9 mi | — |
| Asa Messer El. School Providence | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02908 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,341
Median Home Value
$293,800
Median Rent
$1,381/mo
Population
39,661
College Educated
28.6%
Homeownership
46.5%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paul Cuffee Lower School has a median household income of $74,341. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,800, with a median rent of $1,381/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Aquidneck School Middletown, RI | 7.1 |
| James H. Eldredge School East Greenwich, RI | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Central Elem. Lincoln, RI | 7.1 |
| Springbrook Elementary School Westerly, RI | 7.1 |
| Winsor Hill School Johnston, RI | 7.0 |
| Gaudet Learning Academy Middletown, RI | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paul Cuffee Lower School
What grades does Paul Cuffee Lower School serve?
Paul Cuffee Lower School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Paul Cuffee Lower School?
Paul Cuffee Lower School has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Cuffee Lower School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Cuffee Lower School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paul Cuffee Lower School rank in RI?
Paul Cuffee Lower School is ranked #85 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Paul Cuffee Lower School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Cuffee Lower School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Paul Cuffee Lower School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul Cuffee Lower School has 17.2% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paul Cuffee Lower School a charter school?
Yes, Paul Cuffee Lower School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Paul Cuffee Lower School a Title I school?
No, Paul Cuffee Lower School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Cuffee Lower School?
77.6% of students at Paul Cuffee Lower 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
- Walk Score
- 91 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 61 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 67 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,935/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Providence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 357
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Providence County
- Phone
- (401) 453-2626
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paul Cuffee Charter Sch- District Enrollment
- 817
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,526
- District Rank
- #1 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.
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