For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 8,001 students in Newport County, RI (there are 11 private schools, serving 1,962 private students). 81% of all K-12 students in Newport County, RI are educated in public schools (compared to the RI state average of 86%). Newport County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Rhode Island.
The top-ranked public schools in Newport County, RI are Jamestown School-melrose, Fort Barton School and Jamestown School-lawn. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Newport County, RI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Rhode Island public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 34% statewide average). Schools in Newport County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Rhode Island public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Rhode Island public school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Newport County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jamestown School-melrose
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
76 Melrose Avenue
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7020
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7020
Gr: PK-4 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Fort Barton School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
99 Lawton Avenue
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-6114
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-6114
Gr: K-4 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Jamestown School-lawn
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
55 Lawn Avenue
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7010
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7010
Gr: 5-8 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Ranger School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
278 North Brayton Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-8467
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-8467
Gr: PK-4 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Portsmouth High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
120 Education Lane
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-2124
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-2124
Gr: 9-12 | 785 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
Wilbur And Mcmahon Schools
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
28 Commons
Little Compton, RI 02837
(401) 592-0363
Little Compton, RI 02837
(401) 592-0363
Gr: PK-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Howard Hathaway School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
53 Tallman Avenue
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-0500
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-0500
Gr: K-4 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Melville School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1351 West Main Road
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-1650
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-1650
Gr: PK-4 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #99.
Portsmouth Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
125 Jepson Lane
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 849-3700
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 849-3700
Gr: 5-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1010.
Middletown High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
130 Valley Road
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-7250
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-7250
Gr: 9-12 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1111.
Tiverton High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 North Brayton Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-8494
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-8494
Gr: 9-12 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1212.
Pocasset School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
242 Main Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-6654
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-6654
Gr: PK-4 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1313.
Aquidneck School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
70 Reservoir Avenue
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 847-4921
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 847-4921
Gr: PK-3 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1414.
Tiverton Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 Quintal Drive
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-6668
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-6668
Gr: 5-8 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1515.
Gaudet Learning Academy
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1113 Aquidneck Ave.
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-6395
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-6395
Gr: 4-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1616.
Gaudet Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1113 Aquidneck Avenue
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-6395
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-6395
Gr: 6-8 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1717.
Forest Avenue School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Forest Avenue
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 849-9434
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 849-9434
Gr: K-3 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1818.
Rogers High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
15 Wickham Road
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-6235
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-6235
Gr: 9-12 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1919.
Claiborne Pell Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
35 Dexter Street
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 842-1900
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 842-1900
Gr: PK-4 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2020.
Frank E. Thompson Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
55 Broadway
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-1493
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-1493
Gr: 5-8 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: n/an/a
Newport Area Career Tech Center
Vocational School
15 Wickham Rd
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-2100
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-2100
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Newport County, RI?
The top-ranked public schools in Newport County, RI include Jamestown School-melrose, Fort Barton School and Jamestown School-lawn. Newport County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Rhode Island.
How many public schools are located in Newport County?
21 public schools are located in Newport County.
What percentage of students in Newport County go to public school?
81% of all K-12 students in Newport County are educated in public schools (compared to the RI state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Newport County?
Newport County public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Rhode Island public schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Newport County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Newport County include: Melville School vs. Howard Hathaway School, Forest Avenue School vs. Aquidneck School, Howard Hathaway School vs. Melville School
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