Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Exeter’s public schools outscore 80% of Rhode Island districts
In Exeter, 47% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Rhode Island average (27%). The grade covers the public school district serving Exeter, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Rhode Island, not nationally.
From Rhode Island state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Exeter’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 47% in spring 2022, against 33% and 27% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $22,575 per student, against $23,945 across Rhode Island (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Metcalf School, then Exeter-West Greenwich Reg. Jr., then Exeter-West Greenwich Regional. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Exeter’s grade
A−: better than 80% of Rhode Island school districts, #10 of 38 Rhode Island towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Rhode Island average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Exeter, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Exeter
Mildred E. Lineham School
Grades PK · 84 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in West Greenwich
Kindergarten in Exeter
Wawaloam School
Grades K–1 · 215 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Exeter
Metcalf School
Grades 2–6 · 522 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Exeter
Metcalf School
Grades 2–6 · 522 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Exeter
Metcalf School
Grades 2–6 · 522 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Exeter
Metcalf School
Grades 2–6 · 522 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Exeter
Metcalf School
Grades 2–6 · 522 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Exeter
Exeter-West Greenwich Reg. Jr.
Grades 7–8 · 256 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in West Greenwich
8th grade in Exeter
Exeter-West Greenwich Reg. Jr.
Grades 7–8 · 256 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in West Greenwich
9th grade in Exeter
Exeter-West Greenwich Regional
Grades 9–12 · 452 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in West Greenwich
10th grade in Exeter
Exeter-West Greenwich Regional
Grades 9–12 · 452 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in West Greenwich
Exeter’s public schools are run by Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District, which also serves West Greenwich. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Exeter vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Rhode Island towns that share Exeter’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter | A− | Exeter-West Greenwich Regional |
| North Kingstown | A− | North Kingstown |
| West Greenwich | A− | Exeter-West Greenwich Regional |
| Richmond | B+ | Chariho Regional |
| South Kingstown | B+ | South Kingstown |
| Hopkinton | B+ | Chariho Regional |
| East Greenwich | A | East Greenwich |
Voluntown, CT borders Exeter but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Exeter
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Rhode Island’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Exeter’s schools
Are Exeter’s schools good?
By Rhode Island’s own tests, yes: the public schools Exeter children attend outscore 80% of Rhode Island’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #10 of 38 Rhode Island towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Exeter in?
Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,529 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Exeter kids go to high school?
Exeter-West Greenwich Regional in West Greenwich, with 452 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Exeter’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Rhode Island.
How much does Exeter spend per student?
$22,575 in Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District (FY2024), against $23,945 across Rhode Island. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Exeter families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Exeter → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Rhode Island. Stars are from neighbors.