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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation69.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,880

Portsmouth High School — Students at Portsmouth High School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 74.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from RI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
56%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
77%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.3/10
98th percentile in RI
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (364/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Portsmouth
District Enrollment
2,161
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,220
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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