Average
#160 of 302 schools in RI
The Compass School
Elementary School · The Compass School
537 Old North Road, Kingston, RI 02881
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Rhode Island elementary schools
#82 of 172
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About The Compass School
The Compass School serves 216 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Kingston, Rhode Island, operating as a public charter school with a favorable 12.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention in a smaller learning environment. Academically, The Compass School performs solidly, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 67th out of 303 Rhode Island schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide.
The school demonstrates stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 52% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics shows 42% proficiency, indicating opportunities for continued growth in STEM subjects. The school draws from a well-educated community in Washington County, where 80% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income is $62,829. Despite the high educational attainment in the area, the community shows economic diversity with a 25.4% poverty rate, suggesting the school serves families across various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Located on Old North Road, The Compass School sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment that combines small-town charm with access to the broader Kingston community and its resources.
What Parents Should Know
The Compass 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.
Located in a rural area, The Compass 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
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The Compass School — Students at The Compass School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.6%
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: 5.5/10.
How The Compass School Compares
See how The Compass School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
537 Old North Road, Kingston, RI 02881
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Compass School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Narragansett Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Narragansett), which scores notably higher. Another option is Matunuck School (rated 9.6/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Wakefield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stony Lane El. School (rated 8.5/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby North Kingstown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kingston, see our Kingston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kingston Hill Academy Saunderstown | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| West Kingston School West Kingston | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Peace Dale School Peace Dale | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Broad Rock Middle School Wakefield | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| South Kingstown High Wakefield | 3.5 mi | 8.8 |
| BRADLEY SCHOOL-SOUTH Wakefield | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| MONSIGNOR MATTHEW CLARKE CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Wakefield | 4.1 mi | 4.1 |
| SOUTH COUNTY MONTESSORI SCHOOL North Kingstown | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Narragansett Elementary Narragansett | 4.5 mi | 9.8 |
| QUEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Narragansett | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Narragansett High School Narragansett | 5.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Narragansett Pier School Narragansett | 5.1 mi | 9.0 |
| North Kingstown Sr. High North Kingstown | 5.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Wickford Middle School North Kingstown | 5.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Hamilton School North Kingstown | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| MIDDLEBRIDGE SCHOOL Narragansett | 6.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Stony Lane El. School North Kingstown | 7.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Matunuck School Wakefield | 7.6 mi | 9.6 |
| MONTESSORI OF GREENWICH BAY East Greenwich | 7.9 mi | — |
| Fishing Cove El. School North Kingstown | 7.5 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02881 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Home Value
$481,000
Median Rent
$1,368/mo
Population
7,183
College Educated
82.7%
Homeownership
43.4%
Avg Commute
16.6 min
Poverty Rate
35.4%
Median Age
19.8
Community Profile
It is a well-educated community where 83% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $481,000, with a median rent of $1,368/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Holliman School Warwick, RI | 6.1 |
| Elizabeth Baldwin School Pawtucket, RI | 6.0 |
| ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Providence, RI | 5.9 |
| State Street School Westerly, RI | 5.9 |
| ST ROCCO SCHOOL Johnston, RI | 6.3 |
| FATHER JOHN V. DOYLE SCHOOL Coventry, RI | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Compass School
What grades does The Compass School serve?
The Compass School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend The Compass School?
The Compass School has an enrollment of approximately 216 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Compass School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Compass School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Compass School rank in RI?
The Compass School is ranked #160 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is The Compass School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Compass School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 The Compass School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Compass School has 42.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is The Compass School a charter school?
Yes, The Compass School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is The Compass School a Title I school?
No, The Compass School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Compass School?
11.6% of students at The Compass 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 216
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (401) 788-8322
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
The Compass School- District Enrollment
- 216
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,312
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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