Average
#153 of 302 schools in RI
Paul Cuffee Upper School
High School · Paul Cuffee Charter Sch
544 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Providence
#27 of 58
public schools
Rhode Island high schools
#39 of 58
In district
#2 of 3
Paul Cuffee Charter Sch
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Paul Cuffee Upper School
Paul Cuffee Upper School is a charter high school located in Providence, Rhode Island. With an enrollment of 272 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated staff includes 26 full-time equivalent teachers who aim to support the academic growth of their students.
Paul Cuffee Upper School focuses on providing a strong foundation for its diverse student body, though current academic performance places it in the lower tier among Rhode Island schools. The MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10, with a state ranking of #273 out of 303 schools, indicating there's room for improvement in areas like ELA and math proficiency. Despite these challenges, Paul Cuffee Upper School remains committed to the development and well-being of its students within the vibrant city setting of Providence.
What Parents Should Know
Paul Cuffee Upper 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paul Cuffee Upper School — Students at Paul Cuffee Upper School score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
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: 2.8/10.
How Paul Cuffee Upper School Compares
See how Paul Cuffee Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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. Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS (rated 6.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Metropolitan Career Tech Ctr (rated 4.7/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Providence, see our Providence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paul Cuffee Upper School has a median household income of $49,564. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $311,600, with a median rent of $1,136/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Charette Charter School Providence, RI | 6.2 |
| Highlander Secondary Charter S Warren, RI | 6.3 |
| W B Cooley & Acad Internationa Providence, RI | 6.3 |
| Blackstone Academy Charter Pawtucket, RI | 6.5 |
| Trinity Academy Performing Art Providence, RI | 6.5 |
| Apprenticeship Exploration Sch Cranston, RI | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #153 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Paul Cuffee Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Cuffee Upper 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 Paul Cuffee Upper School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul Cuffee Upper School has 10.7% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- Phone
- (401) 781-2727
- 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
- #2 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.
Read our full methodologyGet 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.