Total enrollment
7,784
-1,530 (-16%) vs SY 2017-18
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.
7-year change in Newport County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
20
-1 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
67%
was 75%
% Hispanic
18%
was 11%
% Black
4%
was 5%
% Asian
2%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
21
6 districts
Enrollment
7,784
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 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Newport County has declined 16% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 9,314 students to 7,784. The school count fell from 21 to 20 across the same 7-year window. Demographically, the White share of enrollment declined from 75% to 67%.
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
Newport County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data