Very Good
#13 of 65 private schools in RI
Top 19% of private schools
The Pennfield School
Elementary School
110 SANDY POINT AVE, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on RI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#3 of 3
public schools
Rhode Island elementary schools
#7 of 41
About The Pennfield School
The Pennfield School is a regular public school located in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Pennfield offers a warm and nurturing environment with an enrollment of 119 students. The student-teacher ratio is 7.2:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from the school’s dedicated staff of 16 full-time equivalent teachers.
While academic test scores are not available to provide a specific context for performance, Pennfield focuses on fostering a supportive learning community where every student can thrive and develop their unique strengths. The school aims to create an inclusive atmosphere that encourages growth and engagement both inside and outside the classroom. The setting of The Pennfield School is in a large suburban area, offering students easy access to local amenities and resources while maintaining a close-knit community feel.
This location provides a balanced mix of urban conveniences and rural charm, making it an ideal place for families seeking a supportive educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 119 students, The Pennfield School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, The Pennfield School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Pennfield School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Pennfield School compares to the 4 public schools in Portsmouth, RI
Student Demographics
All Schools in Portsmouth
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Pennfield School (this school) | 7.4 |
| Portsmouth Middle School | 7.6 |
| Melville School | 6.2 |
| Portsmouth High School | 9.3 |
| Howard Hathaway School | 8.4 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in RI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in RI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
110 SANDY POINT AVE, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Pennfield School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wilbur and McMahon Schools (rated 9.5/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Little Compton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fort Barton School (rated 9.4/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Tiverton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Howard Hathaway School (rated 8.4/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SEA ROSE MONTESSORI CO-OP Portsmouth | 0.7 mi | — |
| Portsmouth Middle School Portsmouth | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Melville School Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Gaudet Middle School Middletown | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Gaudet Learning Academy Middletown | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Forest Avenue School Middletown | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Middletown | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Middletown High School Middletown | 3.0 mi | 8.6 |
| PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL Portsmouth | 3.5 mi | 8.2 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Portsmouth | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Portsmouth High School Portsmouth | 4.1 mi | 9.3 |
| Aquidneck School Middletown | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Howard Hathaway School Portsmouth | 4.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Claiborne Pell Elementary Newport | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| ST MICHAELS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newport | 5.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Fort Barton School Tiverton | 5.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Frank E. Thompson Middle Newport | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Wilbur and McMahon Schools Little Compton | 5.0 mi | 9.5 |
| LITTLE PEEPS MONTESSORI NATURSKOLA Little Compton | 5.1 mi | — |
| Rogers High School Newport | 6.8 mi | 6.8 |
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 The Pennfield 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Middletown, RI | 7.0 |
| ST MICHAELS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newport, RI | 6.9 |
| THE CROFT SCHOOL Providence, RI | 8.0 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Providence, RI | 6.7 |
| ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF RHODE ISLAND West Warwick, RI | 8.2 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cranston, RI | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Pennfield School
What grades does The Pennfield School serve?
The Pennfield School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend The Pennfield School?
The Pennfield School has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Pennfield School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Pennfield School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Pennfield School rank in RI?
The Pennfield School is ranked #13 out of 65 private schools in RI.
What is The Pennfield School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Pennfield School has a composite rating of 7.4 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.
Is The Pennfield School a private school?
Yes, The Pennfield School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Pennfield School a religious school?
No, The Pennfield School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 119
- Gender Split
- 55% M / 45% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- NEWPORT
- Phone
- (401) 849-4646
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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