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#160 of 302 schools in RI

The Compass School

Elementary School · The Compass School

537 Old North Road, Kingston, RI 02881

Charter

Enrollment

216

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,117

The Compass School — Students at The Compass School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
52%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.1/10
47th percentile in RI
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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