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Below Average

#257 of 302 schools in RI

William E. Tolman High

High School · Pawtucket

150 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Enrollment

1,027

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Rhode Island schools

#257 of 302

In Pawtucket

#14 of 18

public schools

In district

#13 of 16

Pawtucket

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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William E. Tolman High

4.4/10

High School in Pawtucket · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Raphael Academy

6.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Henry J. Winters School

6.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About William E. Tolman High

William E. Tolman High is a public high school in Pawtucket, RI, part of Pawtucket. William E.

Tolman High serves approximately 1,027 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. William E. Tolman High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #257 of 302 schools in RI.

Structured state assessment records for William E. Tolman High show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • RI avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at William E. Tolman High sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

60% of students at William E. Tolman High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate70%
AP Participation16.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,420
Chronic Absenteeism60.1%

William E. Tolman High — Students at William E. Tolman High score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from RI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
14%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
19%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
16%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
15%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
19%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
7%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How William E. Tolman High Compares

See how William E. Tolman High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in RI
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
26
13 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
16.5% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics26sports offered
13 boys'·13 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

150 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William E. Tolman High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jacqueline M. Walsh School (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST RAPHAEL ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blackstone Academy Charter (rated 6.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pawtucket, see our Pawtucket schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST RAPHAEL ACADEMY Pawtucket 0.3 mi 6.3
Henry J. Winters School Pawtucket 0.5 mi 6.2
Agnes E. Little School Pawtucket 0.5 mi 5.3
Joseph Jenks Middle School Pawtucket 0.6 mi 4.2
Jacqueline M. Walsh School Pawtucket 0.6 mi 7.2
International Charter School Pawtucket 0.8 mi 3.8
Blackstone Academy Charter Pawtucket 0.8 mi 6.0
Central Falls Sr High Central Falls 0.7 mi 4.9
The Learning Community Central Falls 0.9 mi 6.1
Francis J. Varieur School Pawtucket 1.0 mi 6.7
Calcutt Middle School Central Falls 0.9 mi 5.3
Raices Upper Dual Language Acd Central Falls 0.9 mi 4.7
Charles E. Shea High School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 4.9
Veterans Memorial Elementary Central Falls 1.0 mi 6.1
Curvin-McCabe School Pawtucket 1.0 mi 4.3
Segue Inst for Learning Central Falls 1.0 mi 6.4
G. Harold Hunt School Central Falls 1.0 mi 5.3
Raices Dual Language Academy Central Falls 1.2 mi 7.8
Samuel Slater Middle School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 3.4
Cunningham School Pawtucket 1.1 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,954

Median Home Value

$287,400

Median Rent

$1,112/mo

Population

47,372

College Educated

25.5%

Homeownership

39.9%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Mount Pleasant High Providence, RI 4.3
BISHOP HENDRICKEN HIGH SCHOOL Warwick, RI 4.0
Central Falls Sr High Central Falls, RI 4.9
Charles E. Shea High School Pawtucket, RI 4.9
Hope High School Providence, RI 4.9
Central High School Providence, RI 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William E. Tolman High

What grades does William E. Tolman High serve?

William E. Tolman High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend William E. Tolman High?

William E. Tolman High has an enrollment of approximately 1,027 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William E. Tolman High?

The student-teacher ratio at William E. Tolman High is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does William E. Tolman High rank in RI?

William E. Tolman High ranks #257 of 302 schools in RI.

What is William E. Tolman High's MySchoolScout rating?

William E. Tolman High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at William E. Tolman High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, William E. Tolman High has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is William E. Tolman High a charter school?

No, William E. Tolman High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is William E. Tolman High a Title I school?

No, William E. Tolman High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William E. Tolman High?

47.6% of students at William E. Tolman High 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
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
52 Good Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,027
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Providence County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.1%
4-Year Graduation
70.0%

District

Pawtucket
District Enrollment
7,887
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,420
District Rank
#13 of 16

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