Skip to main content

Average

#138 of 302 schools in RI

Top 45% in state

Paul Cuffee Upper School

High School · Paul Cuffee Charter Sch

544 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907

Charter

Enrollment

272

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Rhode Island schools

#138 of 302

In Providence

#21 of 58

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Paul Cuffee Charter Sch

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Paul Cuffee Upper School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Paul Cuffee Upper School

6.3/10

High School in Providence · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS

4.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Leviton Dual Language School

4.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Paul Cuffee Upper School

Paul Cuffee Upper School is a public high school in Providence, RI, part of Paul Cuffee Charter Sch. Paul Cuffee Upper School serves approximately 272 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul Cuffee Upper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #138 of 302 schools in RI.

Structured state assessment records for Paul Cuffee Upper School show 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below RI schools
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • RI avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Paul Cuffee Upper 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change-4.46 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)9% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation21.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,526
Chronic Absenteeism23.5%

Paul Cuffee Upper School — Students at Paul Cuffee Upper School score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.3% (multi-year average, 2018-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.0% (multi-year average, 2018-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 10 test records from RI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Paul Cuffee Upper School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
55th percentile in RI
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
9
4 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
21.3% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
4 boys'·5 girls'·11 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

544 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul Cuffee Upper School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Metropolitan Career Tech Ctr (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS (rated 4.8/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Providence, see our Providence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS Providence 0.3 mi 4.8
Leviton Dual Language School Providence 0.4 mi 4.9
Reservoir Avenue School Providence 0.4 mi 6.0
Achievement First Promesa Providence 0.4 mi 3.8
Alfred Lima Sr. El School Providence 0.5 mi 5.0
Lillian Feinstein El. School Providence 0.4 mi 6.8
Gilbert Stuart Middle School Providence 0.5 mi 4.4
Highlander Elementary Charter Providence 0.4 mi 6.1
BISHOP MCVINNEY CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Providence 0.6 mi 5.2
Robert L. Bailey IV Providence 0.6 mi 7.2
Nuestro Mundo Public Charter S Providence 0.7 mi 2.6
Roger Williams Middle Providence 0.8 mi 5.2
Providence Preparatory Charter Providence 1.0 mi 4.7
Metropolitan Career Tech Ctr Providence 0.9 mi 6.8
Mary E. Fogarty El. School Providence 0.8 mi 5.9
Cornel Young & Charlotte Woods Providence 0.8 mi 6.7
COMMUNITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Providence 1.0 mi 6.4
SouthSide Elementary Charter Providence 1.0 mi 6.7
Cranston Early Learning Center Cranston 1.0 mi 5.5
W. R. Dutemple School Cranston 1.2 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02907 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,564

Median Home Value

$311,600

Median Rent

$1,136/mo

Population

31,427

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

37.4%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

22.7%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Sheila Skip Nowell Providence, RI 6.3
The Greene School West Greenwich, RI 6.4
Times2 Middle/High School Providence, RI 6.5
360 High School Providence, RI 6.0
Blackstone Academy Charter Pawtucket, RI 6.0
E-Cubed Academy Providence, RI 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul Cuffee Upper School

What grades does Paul Cuffee Upper School serve?

Paul Cuffee Upper School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Paul Cuffee Upper School?

Paul Cuffee Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 272 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Paul Cuffee Upper School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul Cuffee Upper School rank in RI?

Paul Cuffee Upper School ranks #138 of 302 schools in RI.

What is Paul Cuffee Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul Cuffee Upper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Upper School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Cuffee Upper School has 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022).

Is Paul Cuffee Upper School a charter school?

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

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

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

80.5% of students at Paul Cuffee Upper 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

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Providence County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.5%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.