For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public elementary schools serving 5,596 students in Newport County, RI. The top-ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Rhode Island public elementary school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 32% statewide average). Elementary schools in Newport County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Rhode Island public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Rhode Island public elementary school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary 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.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Newport County, RI?
The top-ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools are located in Newport County?
16 public elementary schools are located in Newport County.
What is the racial composition of students in Newport County?
Newport County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Rhode Island public elementary schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Newport County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Newport County include: Melville School vs. Howard Hathaway School, Forest Avenue School vs. Aquidneck School, Howard Hathaway School vs. Melville School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
