Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Pawtucket’s public schools score below 90% of Rhode Island districts on tests and graduation
In Pawtucket, 15% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Rhode Island average (27%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pawtucket, 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 96% 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.
Pawtucket’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 19% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 33% and 27% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
72% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Rhode Island. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,860 per student, against $23,945 across Rhode Island (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
International Charter School, Blackstone Academy Charter, St. Raphael Academy (private), St. Teresa School (private), St. Cecilia School (private) and Rhode Island Alternative Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Pawtucket’s grade
D: better than 10% of Rhode Island school districts, #36 of 38 Rhode Island towns. Both inputs trail the Rhode Island average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Pawtucket, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Pawtucket · depends on your address
Joseph Jenks Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 697 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lyman B. Goff Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 637 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Samuel Slater Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 590 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Pawtucket · depends on your address
Joseph Jenks Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 697 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lyman B. Goff Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 637 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Samuel Slater Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 590 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Pawtucket · depends on your address
Joseph Jenks Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 697 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lyman B. Goff Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 637 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Samuel Slater Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 590 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Pawtucket · depends on your address
William E. Tolman High
Grades 9–12 · 995 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Charles E. Shea High School
Grades 9–12 · 770 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Jacqueline M. Walsh School
Grades 9–12 · 173 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pawtucket · depends on your address
William E. Tolman High
Grades 9–12 · 995 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Charles E. Shea High School
Grades 9–12 · 770 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Jacqueline M. Walsh School
Grades 9–12 · 173 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Pawtucket’s public schools are run by Pawtucket School District. 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 below the state in reading
Pawtucket vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Rhode Island towns that share Pawtucket’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | D | Pawtucket |
| Central Falls | D− | Central Falls |
| Providence | D | Providence |
| North Providence | B− | North Providence |
| East Providence | C+ | East Providence |
Attleboro, MA and Seekonk, MA border Pawtucket but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Pawtucket
22 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 Pawtucket’s schools
Are Pawtucket’s schools good?
On Rhode Island’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Pawtucket children attend score below 90% of Rhode Island’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #36 of 38 Rhode Island towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 10%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pawtucket in?
Pawtucket School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,708 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pawtucket kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: William E. Tolman High, Charles E. Shea High School and Jacqueline M. Walsh School.
What is Pawtucket’s graduation rate?
72% of the class of 2023 in Pawtucket School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Rhode Island.
How much does Pawtucket spend per student?
$18,860 in Pawtucket School District (FY2024), against $23,945 across Rhode Island. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pawtucket?
Yes: St. Raphael Academy (Catholic, grades 9–12, 430 students), St. Teresa School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 244 students), St. Cecilia School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 174 students) and Rhode Island Alternative Academy (special education, grades 1–12, 98 students). Pawtucket also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Pawtucket families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pawtucket → 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.