Skip to main content

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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How The Pennfield School compares to the 4 public schools in Portsmouth, RI

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
This School
vs
12:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
119
This School
vs
536
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
7.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 78.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 11.8% vs 0%
Black 1.7% vs 0%
Asian 0.8% vs 0%
The Pennfield School Portsmouth Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,190
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 37%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 119
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)

White 78.2%
Hispanic 11.8%
Two or More 7.6%
Black 1.7%
Asian 0.8%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

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

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.