Very Good
#61 of 302 schools in RI
Top 20% in state
Portsmouth Middle School
Middle School · Portsmouth
125 Jepson Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#3 of 4
public schools
Rhode Island middle schools
#8 of 59
In district
#3 of 4
Portsmouth
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Portsmouth Middle School
Portsmouth Middle School serves 622 students in grades 5 through 8 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. This well-regarded public school ranks 38th out of 303 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile with a strong 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention.
Academically, Portsmouth Middle School demonstrates solid performance with 48% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 47% in mathematics across all grade levels tested. The school benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community. The surrounding 02871 ZIP code area has a median household income of $107,360 and a median home value of $486,800, with 60% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The low poverty rate of just 5.2% reflects the economic stability of the neighborhood, which likely contributes to the school's academic success. Portsmouth Middle School operates in a large suburban setting within Newport County, providing students with the advantages of a well-resourced community while maintaining a manageable school size that fosters both academic achievement and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Portsmouth Middle School — Students at Portsmouth Middle School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
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: 7.8/10.
How Portsmouth Middle School Compares
See how Portsmouth Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 48% (2022).
Location
125 Jepson Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portsmouth Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jamestown School-Lawn (rated 8.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Jamestown), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Gaudet Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Middletown), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Frank E. Thompson Middle (rated 5.8/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Newport), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SEA ROSE MONTESSORI CO-OP Portsmouth | 1.3 mi | — |
| Forest Avenue School Middletown | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Middletown | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Melville School Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| THE PENNFIELD SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Gaudet Middle School Middletown | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Gaudet Learning Academy Middletown | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Middletown High School Middletown | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Portsmouth | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL Portsmouth | 3.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Claiborne Pell Elementary Newport | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Aquidneck School Middletown | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Portsmouth High School Portsmouth | 4.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Frank E. Thompson Middle Newport | 4.6 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MICHAELS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newport | 4.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Howard Hathaway School Portsmouth | 4.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Rogers High School Newport | 6.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Fort Barton School Tiverton | 6.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Jamestown School-Lawn Jamestown | 6.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Jamestown School-Melrose Jamestown | 6.2 mi | 9.5 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Gaudet Middle School Middletown, RI | 7.5 |
| Nathan Bishop Middle Providence, RI | 7.5 |
| North Smithfield MS North Smithfield, RI | 7.5 |
| Kickemuit Middle School Warren, RI | 7.7 |
| Lincoln Middle School Lincoln, RI | 7.4 |
| Ponaganset Middle School North Scituate, RI | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portsmouth Middle School
What grades does Portsmouth Middle School serve?
Portsmouth Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Portsmouth Middle School?
Portsmouth Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 622 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Portsmouth Middle School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portsmouth Middle School rank in RI?
Portsmouth Middle School is ranked #61 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Portsmouth Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Portsmouth Middle School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portsmouth Middle School has 41.3% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portsmouth Middle School a charter school?
No, Portsmouth Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portsmouth Middle School a Title I school?
No, Portsmouth Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portsmouth Middle School?
14.8% of students at Portsmouth 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 2024. City-level (Portsmouth). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 622
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Newport County
- Phone
- (401) 849-3700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth- District Enrollment
- 2,161
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,220
- District Rank
- #3 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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