Total enrollment
7,784
-713 (-8%) vs SY 2020-21
Newport County
Rhode Island · Public K-12
Public schools in Newport County, Rhode Island total 21, with combined enrollment of about 7,784 students against a county population of 84,657. That breaks down as 11 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high.
4-year change in Newport County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
20
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Newport County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Rhode Island | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 7,784 | #4 of 5 | #970 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 20 | #4 of 5 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.3:1 | #1 of 5 | #353 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 37.8% | #3 of 5 | #2,184 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 51.0% | #2 of 5 | #1,053 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Newport County school rankings
Residents
84,657
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
21
6 districts
Enrollment
7,784
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$103,514
Above Rhode Island avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.8%
Below Rhode Island avg
Elementary
11
3,225 students
Middle
5
2,222 students
High
5
2,337 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Portsmouth
2,114 students · 6 districts in Newport County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Newport County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
54.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.8%
civilian labor
Median age
47
16.0% under 18
Test scores in Newport County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 16 schools ranked. Rhode Island state average: 34.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Wilbur and McMahon Schools· 77.0%
- Jamestown School-Melrose· 75.0%
- Melville School· 71.6%
- Jamestown School-Lawn· 67.4%
- Aquidneck School· 67.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Frank E. Thompson Middle· 10.0%
- Claiborne Pell Elementary· 22.4%
- Gaudet Middle School· 40.2%
- Tiverton Middle School· 43.7%
- Pocasset School· 45.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth High School | Portsmouth | High | 09-12 | 785 | · |
| Claiborne Pell Elementary | Newport | Elementary | PK-04 | 657 | · |
| Portsmouth Middle School | Portsmouth | Middle | 05-08 | 604 | · |
| Rogers High School | Newport | High | 09-12 | 599 | · |
| Middletown High School | Middletown | High | 09-12 | 523 | · |
| Frank E. Thompson Middle | Newport | Middle | 05-08 | 499 | · |
| Tiverton Middle School | Tiverton | Middle | 05-08 | 499 | · |
| Gaudet Middle School | Middletown | Middle | 06-08 | 431 | · |
| Tiverton High School | Tiverton | High | 09-12 | 430 | · |
| Howard Hathaway School | Portsmouth | Elementary | KG-04 | 409 | · |
| Melville School | Portsmouth | Elementary | PK-04 | 316 | · |
| Forest Avenue School | Middletown | Elementary | KG-03 | 304 | · |
| Aquidneck School | Middletown | Elementary | PK-03 | 302 | · |
| Gaudet Learning Academy | Middletown | Elementary | 04-05 | 259 | · |
| Wilbur and McMahon Schools | Little Compton | Elementary | PK-08 | 216 | · |
| Ranger School | Tiverton | Elementary | PK-04 | 212 | · |
| Pocasset School | Tiverton | Elementary | PK-04 | 210 | · |
| Jamestown School-Melrose | Jamestown | Elementary | PK-04 | 207 | · |
| Jamestown School-Lawn | Jamestown | Middle | 05-08 | 189 | · |
| Fort Barton School | Tiverton | Elementary | KG-04 | 133 | · |
| Newport Area Career Tech Ctr | Newport | High | 09-12 | · | · |
Cities in Newport County
About Newport County
Across the average-sized Rhode Island county of Newport County of about 84,657 residents, the public-school footprint covers 21 schools and about 7,784 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $103,514, about 54% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 5% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
Looking at the level breakdown, Newport County comprises 11 elementary schools (3,225 students), 5 middle schools (2,222), and 5 high schools (2,337).
The largest single district in Newport County is Portsmouth, which alone enrolls about 2,114 students.
Trend over the past 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Newport County has declined 8% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 8,497 students to 7,784.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Newport County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data