Skip to main content

Excellent

#4 of 302 schools in RI

Top 1% in state

Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools

Elementary School · Little Compton

28 Commons, Little Compton, RI 02837

Enrollment

210

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Rhode Island elementary schools

#4 of 172

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools

Wilbur and McMahon Schools serves students in pre-kindergarten through grade 8 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. The public school enrolls 210 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, one of the most favorable ratios available in a public school setting — meaning students get substantially more direct instructional time and individual attention than the state average. Academically, the school earns an Exceptional composite score of 9.5 out of 10.

It ranks 4th out of 302 public schools statewide and outperforms 99% of Rhode Island schools, placing it among a very small group of top-performing institutions in the state. Its academic score of 8.5 reflects strong student achievement, while a growth score of 9.9 indicates that students are advancing well beyond expected progress benchmarks year over year — a sign that the school is moving all students forward, not just those who enter with advantages. For families with children from pre-K through middle school, Wilbur and McMahon offers a rare combination: a small, cohesive learning environment with performance data that competes at the very top of the state.

Parents weighing school options in Rhode Island will find this school difficult to overlook given its consistent, measurable results across both achievement and growth metrics.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools 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.

Located in a rural area, Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools 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 Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,447

Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools — Students at Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
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

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools Compares

See how Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.5/10
99th percentile in RI
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

28 Commons, Little Compton, RI 02837

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fort Barton School (rated 9.4/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Tiverton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Howard Hathaway School (rated 8.4/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), a more accessible option. Additionally, Forest Avenue School (rated 8.1/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Middletown), a more accessible option. For more schools in Little Compton, see our Little Compton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.1 mi
School Distance Rating
LITTLE PEEPS MONTESSORI NATURSKOLA Little Compton 0.1 mi
THE PENNFIELD SCHOOL Portsmouth 5.0 mi 7.4
SEA ROSE MONTESSORI CO-OP Portsmouth 5.2 mi
Gaudet Middle School Middletown 5.5 mi 7.5
Gaudet Learning Academy Middletown 5.5 mi 6.9
Aquidneck School Middletown 5.6 mi 7.1
Middletown High School Middletown 5.9 mi 8.6
Forest Avenue School Middletown 6.0 mi 8.1
Tiverton High School Tiverton 8.2 mi 8.0
Tiverton Middle School Tiverton 8.2 mi 6.2
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Middletown 6.3 mi 7.0
Portsmouth Middle School Portsmouth 6.6 mi 7.6
Fort Barton School Tiverton 8.2 mi 9.4
Melville School Portsmouth 7.1 mi 6.2
Ranger School Tiverton 8.5 mi 6.4
Portsmouth High School Portsmouth 8.1 mi 9.3
Howard Hathaway School Portsmouth 8.3 mi 8.4
ST MICHAELS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newport 6.8 mi 6.9
Claiborne Pell Elementary Newport 6.8 mi 6.9
PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL Portsmouth 8.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02837 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$129,750

Median Home Value

$726,200

Median Rent

$2,523/mo

Population

3,601

College Educated

61.8%

Homeownership

89.9%

Avg Commute

32.1 min

Poverty Rate

3%

Median Age

58.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools has a median household income of $129,750. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $726,200, with a median rent of $2,523/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Clayville School Clayville, RI 9.5
Jamestown School-Melrose Jamestown, RI 9.5
Fort Barton School Tiverton, RI 9.4
Matunuck School Wakefield, RI 9.6
Park School Warwick, RI 9.3
Scott School Warwick, RI 9.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools

What grades does Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools serve?

Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools?

Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools?

The student-teacher ratio at Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools rank in RI?

Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools is ranked #4 out of 302 schools in RI.

What is Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools has a composite rating of 9.5 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 Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools has 48.7% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools a charter school?

No, Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools a Title I school?

No, Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools?

13.3% of students at Wilbur and Mcmahon Schools 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (640/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Newport County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Little Compton
District Enrollment
211
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$34,805
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

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.