Average
#239 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
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,027
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pawtucket
#13 of 18
public schools
Rhode Island high schools
#51 of 58
In district
#12 of 16
Pawtucket
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About William E. Tolman High
William E. Tolman High serves 1,027 students in grades 9-12 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 and 68 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #260 out of 303 high schools statewide, placing it in the 14th percentile, with room for significant academic growth across core subjects.
Currently, 22% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 8% achieve proficiency in Mathematics. These results indicate the school is focusing on student development and working to strengthen academic outcomes for its diverse student body. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 reflects these academic challenges, suggesting families should consider the school's improvement efforts and available support programs when making enrollment decisions.
With its substantial enrollment of over 1,000 students, William E. Tolman High offers the resources and community of a larger high school environment. Located at 150 Exchange Street, the school serves a working-class community where the median household income is $54,462 and 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The school sits in Pawtucket's large suburban setting, serving families throughout this established Rhode Island community in Providence County.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at William E. Tolman High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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William E. Tolman High — Students at William E. Tolman High score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from RI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.7/10.
How William E. Tolman High Compares
See how William E. Tolman High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7.5% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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. Blackstone Academy Charter (rated 6.5/10, 0.8 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, Jacqueline M. Walsh School (rated 5.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 4.4 |
| Agnes E. Little School Pawtucket | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Joseph Jenks Middle School Pawtucket | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Jacqueline M. Walsh School Pawtucket | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| International Charter School Pawtucket | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Blackstone Academy Charter Pawtucket | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Central Falls Sr High Central Falls | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| The Learning Community Central Falls | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Francis J. Varieur School Pawtucket | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Calcutt Middle School Central Falls | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Raices Upper Dual Language Acd Central Falls | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Charles E. Shea High School Pawtucket | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Veterans Memorial Elementary Central Falls | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Curvin-McCabe School Pawtucket | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Segue Inst for Learning Central Falls | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| G. Harold Hunt School Central Falls | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Raices Dual Language Academy Central Falls | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Samuel Slater Middle School Pawtucket | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Cunningham School Pawtucket | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding William E. Tolman High has a median household income of $59,954. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,400, with a median rent of $1,112/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant High Providence, RI | 5.0 |
| Central Falls Sr High Central Falls, RI | 4.9 |
| Charles E. Shea High School Pawtucket, RI | 5.1 |
| Metropolitan Career Tech Ctr Providence, RI | 4.7 |
| Coventry High School Coventry, RI | 5.5 |
| West Warwick High School West Warwick, RI | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #239 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is William E. Tolman High's MySchoolScout rating?
William E. Tolman High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 William E. Tolman High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William E. Tolman High has 7.7% math proficiency and 22.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 52 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 37 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,826/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pawtucket). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (401) 729-6400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pawtucket- District Enrollment
- 7,887
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,420
- District Rank
- #12 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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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