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#209 of 302 schools in RI

Paul Cuffee Middle School

Middle School · Paul Cuffee Charter Sch

30 Barton Street, Providence, RI 02909

Charter

Enrollment

187

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Providence

#39 of 58

public schools

Rhode Island middle schools

#47 of 59

In district

#3 of 3

Paul Cuffee Charter Sch

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Paul Cuffee Middle School

Paul Cuffee Middle School is a charter school located in Providence, Rhode Island. Serving students in grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 187 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its current academic ranking at #255 out of 303 schools in Rhode Island (placing it in the 16th percentile), Paul Cuffee Middle School continues to focus on nurturing young minds and fostering a supportive learning environment.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, with an academic score of 2.8/10, indicating areas for improvement but also highlighting the potential for growth. Students here typically achieve proficiency rates in ELA and reading at around 19% and in math at about 16%. These figures suggest that while there is room for academic advancement, the school remains dedicated to helping its students develop their skills.

Paul Cuffee Middle School is situated within a mid-size city setting, providing its students with access to urban resources and opportunities. The surrounding community offers a diverse mix of cultural experiences and neighborhood amenities, contributing to a rich educational environment beyond just academics.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 187 students, Paul Cuffee Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Paul Cuffee Middle 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)7%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,357

Paul Cuffee Middle School — Students at Paul Cuffee Middle School score 14% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.7%
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
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
12%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Paul Cuffee Middle School Compares

See how Paul Cuffee Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in RI
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

30 Barton Street, Providence, RI 02909

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul Cuffee Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Urban Collaborative Program (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Broadway Middle School (rated 6.4/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Nathanael Greene Middle (rated 6.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Providence, see our Providence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
West Broadway Middle School Providence 0.0 mi 6.4
Asa Messer El. School Providence 0.1 mi 4.6
Providence Preparatory Charter Providence 0.5 mi 4.8
William D'Abate Elem. School Providence 0.6 mi 5.1
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Providence 0.9 mi 6.7
Providence Career Technical Providence 0.7 mi 5.8
Webster Avenue School Providence 0.8 mi 4.7
Paul Cuffee Lower School Providence 1.0 mi 7.1
Alfred Lima Sr. El School Providence 1.0 mi 6.0
Gilbert Stuart Middle School Providence 1.0 mi 5.0
Achievement First Promesa Providence 1.0 mi 3.7
Central High School Providence 0.8 mi 6.9
Urban Collaborative Program Providence 0.8 mi 7.6
BRADLEY SCHOOL PROVIDENCE Providence 0.9 mi 8.2
Classical High School Providence 0.8 mi 6.5
Leviton Dual Language School Providence 1.1 mi 3.2
Nathanael Greene Middle Providence 1.2 mi 6.3
Achievement First Iluminar Cranston 1.2 mi 2.9
AF Iluminar Mayoral Middle Sch Cranston 1.2 mi 4.7
Achievement First Providence H Providence 1.1 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02909 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,950

Median Home Value

$283,800

Median Rent

$1,258/mo

Population

44,445

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

39.2%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.5%

Median Age

31.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paul Cuffee Middle School has a median household income of $63,950. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,800, with a median rent of $1,258/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Founders Academy Woonsocket, RI 6.0
Providence Preparatory Charter Providence, RI 4.8
COMMUNITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Providence, RI 6.4
Exeter-West Greenwich Reg. Jr. West Greenwich, RI 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul Cuffee Middle School

What grades does Paul Cuffee Middle School serve?

Paul Cuffee Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Paul Cuffee Middle School?

Paul Cuffee Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 187 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Cuffee Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paul Cuffee Middle School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul Cuffee Middle School rank in RI?

Paul Cuffee Middle School is ranked #209 out of 302 schools in RI.

What is Paul Cuffee Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul Cuffee Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul Cuffee Middle School has 15.5% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paul Cuffee Middle School a charter school?

Yes, Paul Cuffee Middle 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 Middle School a Title I school?

No, Paul Cuffee Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Cuffee Middle School?

84.0% of students at Paul Cuffee Middle 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
High (1,935/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
187
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Providence County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paul Cuffee Charter Sch
District Enrollment
817
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,526
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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