Very Good
#74 of 302 schools in RI
Top 24% in state
Ponaganset Middle School
Middle School · Foster-Glocester
7 Rustic Hill Road, North Scituate, RI 02857
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Scituate
#4 of 6
public schools
Rhode Island middle schools
#12 of 59
In district
#2 of 2
Foster-Glocester
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Ponaganset Middle School
Ponaganset Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural town of North Scituate, Rhode Island. Situated at 7 Rustic Hill Road, it serves students in grades six through eight with an enrollment of 424 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. The school boasts 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to educating its diverse student body.
Ponaganset Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the 69th percentile among all Rhode Island schools according to state rankings. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 47% in ELA/Reading and 30% in Math, indicating areas with room for improvement but also highlighting the school’s focus on student development. The rural setting around Ponaganset Middle School provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning and community involvement.
The town's character is reflected in the supportive atmosphere at the school, fostering a sense of belonging among students and their families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ponaganset Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ponaganset Middle School — Students at Ponaganset Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.2/10.
How Ponaganset Middle School Compares
See how Ponaganset Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 29% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
7 Rustic Hill Road, North Scituate, RI 02857
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponaganset Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Scituate Middle School (rated 7.3/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Burrillville Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Harrisville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Vincent J. Gallagher Middle (rated 5.7/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Smithfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in North Scituate, see our North Scituate schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ponaganset High School North Scituate | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Fogarty Memorial North Scituate | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Scituate Middle School North Scituate | 4.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Scituate High School North Scituate | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Steere Farm Elementary School Pascoag | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| HARMONY HILL SCHOOL Chepachet | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Capt. Isaac Paine El. School Foster | 4.7 mi | 8.1 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pascoag | 6.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Clayville School Clayville | 6.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Austin T. Levy School Harrisville | 6.8 mi | 6.5 |
| North Scituate School North Scituate | 5.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Burrillville High School Harrisville | 7.0 mi | 6.7 |
| William Callahan School Harrisville | 7.0 mi | 6.7 |
| West Glocester Elementary Chepachet | 6.0 mi | 7.8 |
| OVERBROOK ACADEMY Greenville | 6.1 mi | 4.0 |
| ST PHILIP SCHOOL Greenville | 6.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Burrillville Middle School Harrisville | 8.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Brown Avenue School Johnston | 7.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Smithfield High School Smithfield | 6.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Vincent J. Gallagher Middle Smithfield | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02857 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,813
Median Home Value
$387,500
Median Rent
$1,463/mo
Population
8,095
College Educated
37.7%
Homeownership
83.2%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
51.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponaganset Middle School has a median household income of $108,813. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,500, with a median rent of $1,463/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Wickford Middle School North Kingstown, RI | 7.4 |
| Gaudet Middle School Middletown, RI | 7.5 |
| North Smithfield MS North Smithfield, RI | 7.5 |
| Scituate Middle School North Scituate, RI | 7.3 |
| Davisville Middle School North Kingstown, RI | 7.8 |
| Birchwood Middle School North Providence, RI | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponaganset Middle School
What grades does Ponaganset Middle School serve?
Ponaganset Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ponaganset Middle School?
Ponaganset Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponaganset Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponaganset Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponaganset Middle School rank in RI?
Ponaganset Middle School is ranked #74 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Ponaganset Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponaganset Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Ponaganset Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponaganset Middle School has 30.3% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponaganset Middle School a charter school?
No, Ponaganset Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponaganset Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ponaganset Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponaganset Middle School?
17.5% of students at Ponaganset 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 424
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Providence County
- Phone
- (401) 710-7500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Foster-Glocester- District Enrollment
- 1,331
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,677
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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.