The 16 Worst Schools In Rhode Island Today

Rhode Island is a small state with a beautiful coastline. The state has a lot to offer and is a good place to raise children with some great schools. However, some schools are not doing enough to serve students. Those schools have low test scores and consistently low academic performance. If you are looking at schools in Rhode Island, these are the worst schools in Rhode Island based on test scores, graduation rates, and reviews by students, staff, and parents.

Elementary Schools

Ella Risk School in Central Falls, Rhode Island

Ella Risk School has 417 students in grades K-4. The students are from low-income families from diverse backgrounds. Unfortunately, the school is below average on test scores in key subjects like reading, math, and science despite having highly qualified teachers and a low student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1.

Harry Kizirian Elementary School in Providence, Rhode Island

Harry Kizirian Elementary School serves 574 students in grades K-5. The students are performing below average on academic tests and not reaching the potential of their peers. The high student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 is much higher than the average of 12 to 1. It's possible with more staff and family engagement; the school can raise its scores.

Carl G. Lauro Elementary School in Providence, Rhode Island

Carl G. Lauro Elementary  School has 822 students in grades K-5. The test scores are far below average in all key subject areas reading, math, and science. The student-teacher ratio is slightly above average, with 14 to 1. But the teachers do not have the experience, with only 76% having more than three years of experience. In addition, there are several terrible reviews from parents of current and former students. Hopefully, the school can make adjustments to be able to give quality education to their students because students deserve more.

Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary School is a large school with 638 students in grades K-5. The students are not reaching their potential and have extremely low test scores. The student-teacher ratio is 21 to 1, which is over the average of 12 to 1. There isn't enough staff to properly teach and get information to students. The staff that is there is underqualified, with only 38% of the teachers having three or more years of teaching experience. Parents and former students have left several negative reviews in regard to homework, time to finish assignments and overall organization.

Curvin-Mccabe School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Curvin-Mccabe School has several positive reviews by former students and parents; however, the school has test scores that are far below average. The student-teacher ratio is 16 to 1, which is higher than the average. It's possible with a more rigid academic curriculum in place; the students could raise their test scores.

Centredale School in North Providence, Rhode Island

Centredale School is a smaller school with only 267 students in K-5. The academic performance is low, as demonstrated by test scores. Despite the low test scores, many parents gave the school positive reviews. It's possible the lack of qualified teachers or the high student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 is a large part of the problem, causing students to fall behind academically.

High Schools

Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School in Providence, Rhode Island

Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School has 722 students in grades 9-12. The graduation rate is 60%, with only 70% of students taking the SAT. Post graduation, 40% of students on continuing their education at university or vocational school. The test scores at this school are low in all subjects, and the school doesn't offer advanced courses or college prep.

Mount Pleasant High School in Providence, Rhode Island

Mount Pleasant High School has a 65% graduation rate for a school of 921 students in grades 9-12. Only 72% of the students participated in the SAT, and the scores overall on the SAT were far below average. The school is not preparing students for university with advanced courses and college preparedness. A small number, 32% of graduates, go on to further education at university or vocational schools. Former students and parents have given the school negative reviews for the last ten years.

Central Falls Sr High School in Central Falls, Rhode Island

Central Falls Sr High School serves students in grades 9-12 and has a student body of 716 students. The school has a 71% graduation rate below the average of 83%, and 40% of those graduates go on to receive more education in either 2 or 4-year colleges. The fact is that students are not leaving the school prepared for college or vocational school. The test scores across all subjects are far below average despite having an 11 to 1 student-teacher ratio. The school has received poor reviews from students and parents, some claiming that the school's lack of funding has been negatively impacting the school for some time.

Sheila Skip Nowell Academy in Providence, Rhode Island

Sheila Skip Nowell Academy is a school with a mission to help teen parents overcome obstacles and prepare for college life. The school serves 92 students from low-income backgrounds. Many of these students would have to leave school due to a lack of childcare and consistent attendance. The school has an amazing purpose and has helped some students. However, despite the assistance and low student-teacher ratio, the graduation rate remains low at 18%. With low SAT scores, only 25% of graduates are able to pursue a college or university education. There are many factors in a school like this, so it's difficult to understand if it's due to curriculum, teachers, student motivation, or funding that is keeping these students from moving forward. 

William E. Tolman High School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island

William E. Tolman High School has a 78% graduation rate. While the school offers some advanced classes, there is a lack of participation in those and low test scores that contribute to a low score for the school overall. The reviews from former students and parents are mixed, with some positive and some negative reviews.

Woonsocket High School in Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Woonsocket High School is a large school serving 1,614 students in grades 9-12. The school has a 78% graduation rate which is lower than the average, with 48% of students continuing their education at college or vocational school. Despite the fact that the school offers advanced courses, not many students are taking those courses, and there is a general lack of preparedness for students in a post-high school world. The student-teacher ratio is higher than average, with 15 students to 1 teacher.

Colleges

Community Collge of Rhode Island in Warwick, Rhode Island

Community College of Rhode Island has the lowest graduation rate in the state of Rhode Island at 12%. The school is a public two-year college that offers undergraduate programs. Students earn an average of $33,000 annually ten years post-graduation. 

Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island

Rhode Island College is a public four-year university. The graduation rate is low, with 44% of students graduating after six years. The school was rated low on overall school experience and value for the money.

New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, Rhode Island

New England Institute of Technology is a private four-year university. It is a small school with under 2,000 students. The most popular majors are Engineering and Computer Science. The graduation rate is 47%. Alumni, on average, earn $30,900 ten years post-graduation.

Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island

Johnson and Wales University is a private four-year university. The two most popular majors are business and culinary services. The graduation rate is 51% in six years. 

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