Excellent
#37 of 302 schools in RI
Top 12% 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
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Rhode Island schools
#37 of 302
In Providence
#3 of 58
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Paul Cuffee Charter Sch
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Paul Cuffee Lower School
Elementary School in Providence · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Nathanael Greene Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harry Kizirian Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paul Cuffee Lower School
Paul Cuffee Lower School is a public elementary school in Providence, RI, part of Paul Cuffee Charter Sch. Paul Cuffee Lower School serves approximately 357 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul Cuffee Lower School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #37 of 302 schools in RI.
Structured state assessment records for Paul Cuffee Lower School show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- RI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Paul Cuffee Lower School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 10 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: 8.6/10.
How Paul Cuffee Lower School Compares
See how Paul Cuffee Lower School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST PIUS V SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.0 |
| Harry Kizirian Elementary Providence | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Times2 Elementary School Providence | 0.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Times2 Middle/High School Providence | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Classical High School Providence | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Providence Career Technical Providence | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| RINI Middle College Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Sheila Skip Nowell Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Trinity Academy Performing Art Providence | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Central High School Providence | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| West Broadway Middle School Providence | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| ST PIUS V SCHOOL Providence | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Charette Charter School Providence | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Charlestown Elementary School Charlestown, RI | 8.1 |
| State Street School Westerly, RI | 8.1 |
| Ashton School Cumberland, RI | 8.0 |
| James H. Eldredge School East Greenwich, RI | 8.2 |
| Orlo Avenue School East Providence, RI | 8.0 |
| Rockwell School Bristol, RI | 8.0 |
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 ranks #37 of 302 schools in RI.
What is Paul Cuffee Lower School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Cuffee Lower School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Paul Cuffee Lower School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Cuffee Lower School has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.4%
- Phone
- (401) 453-2626
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
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