Providence Public Schools operates 45 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Providence Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 24,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 45 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
- Alfred Lima Sr. El School — Grades K–5 · 662 students
- Cornel Young & Charlotte Woods — Grades PK–5 · 635 students
- Frank D. Spaziano Elem School — Grades PK–5 · 588 students
- Asa Messer El. School — Grades PK–4 · 557 students
- Anthony Carnevale Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 519 students
- George J. West El. School — Grades K–5 · 502 students
- Robert F. Kennedy El. School — Grades K–5 · 451 students
- Robert L. Bailey IV — Grades K–5 · 444 students
- Veazie Street School — Grades PK–5 · 440 students
- Harry Kizirian Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 434 students
- Pleasant View School — Grades PK–5 · 433 students
- Martin Luther King El. School — Grades PK–5 · 430 students
- Mary E. Fogarty El. School — Grades PK–5 · 430 students
- Lillian Feinstein El. School — Grades K–5 · 429 students
- William D'Abate Elem. School — Grades K–5 · 398 students
- Times2 Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 322 students
- Vartan Gregorian El. School — Grades K–5 · 311 students
- Webster Avenue School — Grades K–5 · 308 students
- Reservoir Avenue School — Grades K–5 · 289 students
- Leviton Dual Language School — Grades K–5 · 288 students
- Governor Christopher DelSesto — Grades 6–8 · 818 students
- Nathanael Greene Middle — Grades 6–8 · 815 students
- Roger Williams Middle — Grades 6–8 · 786 students
- Nathan Bishop Middle — Grades 6–8 · 719 students
- West Broadway Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 516 students
- Esek Hopkins Middle — Grades 6–8 · 398 students
- Classical High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students
- Central High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,050 students
- Mount Pleasant High — Grades 9–12 · 997 students
- Hope High School — Grades 9–12 · 775 students
- Providence Career Technical — Grades 9–12 · 759 students
- W B Cooley & Acad Internationa — Grades 9–12 · 685 students
- Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS — Grades 9–12 · 447 students
- E-Cubed Academy — Grades 9–12 · 338 students
- Aventure Academy — Grades 9–12 · 227 students
- Bridge Academy — Grades 10–12 · 117 students
- Times2 Middle/High School — Grades 6–12 · 383 students
About Providence Public Schools
Providence Public Schools serves zip code 02903, covering Providence, Rhode Island with grades Pre-K – 12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Providence Public Schools spends approximately $17,000 per student per year, placing it 6% below the Rhode Island state average of approximately $18,000 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 45 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Providence Public Schools qualifies as a very large district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 24,000 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Providence Public Schools ranks among Rhode Island’s below average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Rhode Island is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Providence Public Schools carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Rhode Island benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 02903
Children in zip code 02903 are assigned to Providence Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 02903, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Providence Public Schools at (401)456-9211 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Rhode Island districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Providence
For families considering a purchase in the Providence area, district assignment matters financially. Because Providence Public Schools serves zip code 02903, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 02903. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Rhode Island, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Providence Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 02903.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Providence Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 02903 data.