Excellent
#7 of 302 schools in RI
Top 2% in state
Portsmouth High School
High School · Portsmouth
120 Education Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Enrollment
790
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
9.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
790
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
9.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#1 of 4
public schools
Rhode Island high schools
#1 of 58
In district
#1 of 4
Portsmouth
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School serves 790 students in grades 9 through 12 as a regular public school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. With an 11.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio, students get consistent, direct access to staff — a structural advantage that shows up clearly in the school's performance data. The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, rated Exceptional — the top tier on our scale.
Academic performance drives that result, scoring a near-perfect 9.8. Growth scores reach 9.2, meaning students here aren't just performing at a high level; they're continuing to improve year over year. Portsmouth ranks #1 among all 58 high schools in Rhode Island, and its scores outperform 98% of all public schools statewide.
That top-of-state standing holds consistently across subject areas and grade levels, not the product of a single strong data year. Among all 302 public schools in Rhode Island — spanning every level from elementary through high school — Portsmouth still lands at #7. For any family with a student entering grades 9 through 12 in Portsmouth, this school sits at the clear top of every relevant comparison.
Score Breakdown
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Portsmouth High School — Students at Portsmouth High School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.9%
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: 9.2/10.
How Portsmouth High School Compares
See how Portsmouth High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 56% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 74% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
120 Education Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portsmouth High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Mt. Hope High School (rated 8.1/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Bristol), a more accessible option. Additionally, Tiverton High School (rated 8.0/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Tiverton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Hathaway School Portsmouth | 0.4 mi | 8.4 |
| PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Portsmouth | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Melville School Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Fort Barton School Tiverton | 2.2 mi | 9.4 |
| THE PENNFIELD SCHOOL Portsmouth | 4.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Colt Andrews School Bristol | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| SEA ROSE MONTESSORI CO-OP Portsmouth | 4.6 mi | — |
| Portsmouth Middle School Portsmouth | 4.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Guiteras School Bristol | 4.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Mt. Hope High School Bristol | 5.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Pocasset School Tiverton | 4.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Tiverton High School Tiverton | 4.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Ranger School Tiverton | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Rockwell School Bristol | 6.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Tiverton Middle School Tiverton | 4.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Fall River Early Learning Center Fall River | 5.5 mi | — |
| Forest Avenue School Middletown | 6.3 mi | 8.1 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Middletown | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Gaudet Middle School Middletown | 6.6 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02871 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,135
Median Home Value
$539,700
Median Rent
$1,577/mo
Population
17,635
College Educated
59.6%
Homeownership
80.5%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Portsmouth High School has a median household income of $119,135. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $539,700, with a median rent of $1,577/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| South Kingstown High Wakefield, RI | 8.8 |
| Davies Career-Tech High School Lincoln, RI | 8.7 |
| Middletown High School Middletown, RI | 8.6 |
| Westerly High School Westerly, RI | 8.5 |
| East Greenwich High East Greenwich, RI | 8.2 |
| Mt. Hope High School Bristol, RI | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portsmouth High School
What grades does Portsmouth High School serve?
Portsmouth High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Portsmouth High School?
Portsmouth High School has an enrollment of approximately 790 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth High School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portsmouth High School rank in RI?
Portsmouth High School is ranked #7 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Portsmouth High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Portsmouth High School has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Portsmouth High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portsmouth High School has 58.3% math proficiency and 74.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portsmouth High School a charter school?
No, Portsmouth High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portsmouth High School a Title I school?
No, Portsmouth High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portsmouth High School?
12.9% of students at Portsmouth High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 790
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Newport County
- Phone
- (401) 683-2124
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth- District Enrollment
- 2,161
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,220
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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.
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