📊 Data: NCES CCD 2024–2025·🔄 Updated: May 2026·Editorial standards
🏆 Rankings · State Test Data (EDFacts 2017–18)

Best School Districts
in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has 32 rated public school districts. Rankings reflect state reading & math assessment proficiency, percentile-ranked within each state. Use the zip code search to find and compare districts near your address.

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📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
Top 25 Districts Rhode Island Sorted by rating — highest first
#DistrictCityRatingState Percentile
#1Barrington Public SchoolsBarrington10/10  Excellent99th
#2East Greenwich School DistrictEast Greenwich8/10  Good75th
#3Bristol-Warren Regional School DistrictBristol5/10  Average50th
#4Chariho Regional School DistrictAshaway5/10  Average50th
#5Coventry School DistrictCoventry5/10  Average50th
#6Cranston Public SchoolsCranston5/10  Average50th
#7Cranston School DistrictFiskeville5/10  Average50th
#8Cumberland School DistrictCumberland5/10  Average50th
#9Foster-Glocester Regional School DistrictChepachet5/10  Average50th
#10Lincoln School DistrictAlbion5/10  Average50th
#11Middletown School DistrictMiddletown5/10  Average50th
#12Narragansett School DistrictNarragansett5/10  Average50th
#13New Shoreham School DistrictBlock Island5/10  Average50th
#14North Kingstown School DistrictNorth Kingstown5/10  Average50th
#15North Providence School DistrictNorth Providence5/10  Average50th
#16North Smithfield School DistrictForestdale5/10  Average50th
#17Portsmouth School DistrictPortsmouth5/10  Average50th
#18Scituate School DistrictClayville5/10  Average50th
#19Smithfield School DistrictGreenville5/10  Average50th
#20South Kingstown School DistrictWakefield5/10  Average50th
#21Tiverton School DistrictTiverton5/10  Average50th
#22Burrillville School DistrictGlendale3/10  Below Average25th
#23East Providence School DistrictEast Providence3/10  Below Average25th
#24Johnston School DistrictJohnston3/10  Below Average25th
#25Newport School DistrictNewport3/10  Below Average25th

Best School Districts in Rhode Island (2026)

This ranking covers 32 rated public school districts in Rhode Island, scored using NCES EDFacts state assessment data for the 2017–18 school year — the most recent district-level federal collection we have processed. Each district's reading and math proficiency rates are averaged, then ranked against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score.

A district's score reflects how its students perform on state assessments relative to same-state peers — it is not a direct measure of teaching quality, school culture, or individual student outcomes. Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions. Learn how ratings are calculated →

How to Use This List

Click any district name to see its zip code page and confirm your exact assignment with the district office. Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school district in Rhode Island?
Based on state reading and math assessment proficiency (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), the top-rated district is Barrington Public Schools in Barrington, rated 10/10 (Excellent).
How are these rankings calculated?
Rankings use the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2017–18), ranked against other districts in the same state, then converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.
Are ratings based on test scores?
Yes. Ratings are based directly on state reading and math assessment proficiency rates, not on enrollment, spending, or school count. They are a starting point for research, not a final verdict on school quality.