Take it Outside: The Value of Learning Outdoors
By Vince Watchorn, Head of School at The Providence Country Day School
Take it Outside: The Value of Learning Outdoors
For the Providence Country Day School, the picturesque Narragansett shoreline is the contemporary version of what 19th century American artist Asher B. Durand called “The Studio of Nature,” the place of “the most sure and safe instruction.” This “Studio of Nature”— everywhere around us — is rarely accessed in today’s educational settings, yet remains among the most persuasive teaching tools in the educator’s toolbox.
Early in the historic development of formal education, the classroom had a uniform configuration: four walls, desks and chairs facing forward, a chalk board, and usually an adult imparting information or facilitating conversation. Much teaching and learning can still be done this way, but in ideal educational environments that structure can be broken down, shaken up, taken outside. Too often, children sit at desks, indoors, learning about a world that is just beyond the confines of that classroom. Consider the higher level of understanding that might be discerned when: students learn about life cycles from a real tree; a polluted stream enlivens a biology lesson; a pristine sunset inspires reflection on a piece of literature; a diverse forest illustrates ecological concepts; or the principles of visual composition are illuminated by taking pictures along Narragansett Bay. When nature becomes the setting as well as the subject of our learning, our lessons become something larger and more relevant than a textbook or website.
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When leveraged properly, the outdoors is the classroom, and it has the added benefit of creating a link between the learner and the natural elements. A Vanderbilt University study affirms the benefits of taking the classroom outside: “Teaching and learning can become inherently spontaneous and student-centered when moved from the confines of the classroom into the world at large. From the collaborative learning atmosphere that results from the unique relationships developed outside the classroom, to the deep learning that occurs when students must put into practice “in the real world” what they have theorized about from behind a desk, field experiences are unmatched in their learning potential.”
The fact is that children are learning all the time, but today they are learning fundamentally ‘indoors’ lessons since they spend more time inside than out. One recent revealed that eight-year-olds can identify 25% more Pokemon characters than wildlife species. The lesson is simple: Kids need to get outside!
Louv coins the phrase “Nature Deficit Disorder” to underscore that our culture is breaking a millenia-old bond with nature at precisely the time it appears we need it most: when the omnipresence of media, screen time, and structured activities makes it harder and harder for kids to choose an outdoor experience. From 19th transcendentalists like John Muir, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Frederick Law Church to Richard Louv, the outdoor experience is not just about content. It is ultimately about relationship with self. We know that 21st Century education is about more than the “Three R’s.” Today’s kids also need to intentionally develop self-directed skills (see Dave Provost, “Beyond the Three Rs: What Kids Really Need Now,” GoLocalProv.com, October 15, 2015) like creativity, collaboration, discernment, compassion, and innovation. These are essential baseline tools in a world that changes quickly and values entrepreneurship, invention, and human engagement in new and evolving ways. All are nurtured well by a strong relationship with the outdoors.
Cognitive scientist Dan Willingham notes that studies in the decade since Louv’s book was published have shown that “exposure to nature is restorative. That is, when we are tired, depleted, being in a natural setting brings us back to full speed faster than being in other settings.” In a world where kids get to that mentally depleted place quickly and often, this understanding of nature’s benefit can be a great tool for parents and teachers.
All of this suggests an educational imperative to be met by schools and parents. Louv points out that “Children hear very well” when it comes to our own messaging about nature. That means future adult interactions with the natural world will be extensions of what we teach and expose them to now. For families, Rhode Island boasts multiple resources to explore, such as public parks, state forests, bike paths, lakes, and rivers. Take a look at Jeanine Silversmith’s RI Families in Nature. That Saturday canoe trip, beach walk, or trip to the Audubon Society will lay the foundation for your children to become more aware adults, and, as social ecology scholar, Stephen Keller, tells us, such activities will support their development intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically.
Schools that find creative ways to engage nature into coursework are teaching at a deeper level than when simply out of a book. The Providence Country Day School takes full advantage of its 31-acre campus that includes a protected outdoor learning space, woodland trails, a 10-acre forest with five distinct forest ecosystems, a stream, and rich biodiversity. PCD is also home to The da Vinci Lab—a dedicated classroom designed to develop a sophisticated understanding of the intersection between the disciplines of science, art, mathematics and the humanities. Here the outdoors is brought inside, providing students the opportunity to sketch from natural specimens and study the relationships that contextualize the world in which they live. Connections are made, skills of observation are honed, and a deeper understanding of the natural world is discovered through a new lens.
Even a simple relationship with nature can passively fascinate or relax. A more developed one can teach intentional lessons in every discipline. Exploring the natural world in the natural world fosters a deeper reflection on oneself and on one’s place in a larger context. Along the path, both content and 21st century skills can be learned in the oldest of teaching environments—“The Studio of Nature.”
That junior leaping from rock to rock? He was engaged in his world—not bored, but fascinated; being creative and learning about photography. He was learning about technique and composition and vision. He was learning about the outdoors. Most important, though, he was learning about himself. “Time in nature is not leisure time,” says Louv. “It's an essential investment in our children's health (and also, by the way, in our own).”
For more information go to www.providencecountryday.org.
Top High Schools in Rhode Island 2014
#47 Mount Pleasant
2013 Rank: #49
Enrollment: 884
Mascot: Kilties
Claim to Fame: School principal Scott Sutherland was named Rhode Island Principal of the Year in 2014 by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 57.4% (+1.1%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#46 Central High School
2013 Rank: #47
Enrollment: 1,101
Mascot: Knights
Claim to Fame: Providence College men's basketball coach Ed Cooley graduated from Central in 1988.
2014 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 63.9% (+1.4%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
#45 Woonsocket
2013 Rank: #45
Enrollment: 1,736
Mascot: Villa Novans
Claim to Fame: Part of the Urban Debate League, a community partnership between Brown University and a number of Rhode Island schools.
2014 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 61.6% (-2.0%)
District spending per pupil: $13,560
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
#44 Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS
2013 Rank: #48
Enrollment: 563
Claim to Fame: An interactive online Student Action Plan to help students focus and achieve for each year of school.
2014 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 69.0% (+1.8%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#43 ACE
Academy for Career Exploration
2013 Rank: #39
Enrollment: 207
Claim to Fame: At ACE, students’ four years of study culminates with a year-long Senior Internship/Project experience.
2014 Performance at a Glance
Graduation Rate: 89.7% (+22.5%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
#42 Shea High School
2013 Rank: #45
Enrollment: 905
Mascot: Raiders
Claim to Fame: LL Cool J and Representative Patrick Kennedy both visited in 2005.
2014 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 83.3% (+15.9%)
District spending per pupil: $12,967
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#41 E-Cubed Academy
2013 Rank: #42
Enrollment: 360
Claim to Fame: A structure based on the Diploma Plus Model fosters positive relationships between parents, students, teachers, and administrators and creates powerful learning experiences that will motivate students to grow and succeed.
2014 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 77.6% (+5.1%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#40 Tolman High School
2013 Rank: #40
Enrollment: 1,050
Mascot: Tigers
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Peter Kilmartin (Rhode Island state representative and current attorney general), Kevin Lima (Disney animator and film director of the films A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, 102 Dalmatians, Eloise at the Plaza, Eloise at Christmastime, and Enchanted), and Abraham Nathanson (developer of the game Bananagrams).
2014 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 71.0% (+11.2%)
District spending per pupil: $12,967
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#39 Providence CTA
Providence Career and Technical Academy
2013 Rank: #43
Enrollment: 568
Claim to Fame: PCTA offers 10 career and technical programs, including media arts, pastry arts, and electrical and automotive.
2014 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 73.5% (+6.4%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#38 Times 2 Academy
2013 Rank: #37
Enrollment: 652
Claim to Fame: Times 2 Academy constantly exposes its students to guest speakers, internship opportunities, college fairs and job shadowing opportunities to encourage their students to embrace their futures.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 94.6% (+4.6%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
#37 Blackstone Academy
Blackstone Academy Charter School
2013 Rank: #36
Enrollment: 165
Claim to Fame: Blackstone Academy Charter School has partnered with more than 25 Rhode Island organizations as part of its programming.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 87.5% (+1.0%)
District spending per pupil: $12,967
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#36 Cumberland HS
2013 Rank: 33
Enrollment: 1,403
Mascot: Clippers
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include David Macaulay (author and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator), Aaron Fricke (gay rights activist), Johnny Goryl (MLB player for Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins), Jon LaRose (MLB player for Boston Red Sox), Daniel Stewart (first openly gay elected mayor in New York State history-Mayor of Plattsburgh, New York), Linda Nochlin (leading abstract expressionist artist), Peter and Bobby John Farrelly (film directors, producers, authors), Suzanne Martin (Emmy-award winning television producer), and Annette Nazareth (a Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 85.1% (+4.0%)
District spending per pupil: $11,006
Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
#35 East Providence HS
2013 Rank: #32
Enrollment: 1,564
Mascot: Townies
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Jamie Silva (Indianapolis Colts free safety), Claudia Jordan (model and reality TV star), T.J. Del Santo (Meterologist at WPRI-TV), Brent Martineau (Sportscaster), David Franklin (Scientist/Entrepreneur), Kim Schifino (Musician in Matt and Kim), Jennifer Lee (co-writer of Disney’s Wreck It Ralph).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 73.9% (+4.6%)
District spending per pupil: $14,206
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#34 Central Falls HS
2013 Rank: #41
Enrollment: 838
Mascot: Warriors
Claim to Fame: Central Fall’s Chess Team has experienced incredible success and finished in the top 10 at a national tournament that had over 5,000 competitors, as well as receiving funding from star powerhouses such as Alec Baldwin’s Foundation.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 73.8% (+3.0%)
District spending per pupil: $19,886
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Photo Credit: John Phelan
#33 Walsh School
Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts
2013 Rank: #23
Enrollment: 167
Claim to Fame: The schools shares prestigious artistic patnerships with RISD, Sandra-Feinstein Gamm Theatre, Fusionworks Dance Company, Athletics, Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club, Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, and Aurea.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 79.7% (-20.3%)
District spending per pupil: $12,967
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#32 Cranston HS East
2013 Rank: #35
Enrollment: 1,587
Mascot: Thunderbolts
Claim to Fame: Famous athletic alumni include Tom Mellow (played in the NHL, won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics), Vinny Pazienza (former World Champion professional boxer), Mike Stenhouse (played in the MLB for the Expos and Boston Red Sox), Curt Bennett (an All-Star NHL player), Joe Cavanagh (Captained Harvard University’s hockey and tennis teams), Ray Jamieson (Oakland Raider’s fullback), Greg Oden (New England Champion Springboard Diver).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 78.5% (%)
District spending per pupil: $13,646
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#31 Burrillville HS
2013 Rank: #27
Enrollment: 700
Mascot: Broncos
Claim to Fame: The school offers interesting clubs such as Dead Poet’s Society and Mountain Biking Club.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 85.3% (-1.5%)
District spending per pupil: $12,446
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#30 The Met School
2013 Rank: #34
Enrollment: 868
Claim to Fame: The school offers a Entrepreneur 360 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a 60-hour program for students supported by NFTE. Students learn about the concepts and the skills necessary to create a business, sharpen their work ethic and help grow their confidence.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 78.2% (-2.9%%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#29 Beacon Charter School
Beacon Charter HS for the Arts
2013 Rank: #31
Enrollment: 230
Claim to Fame: The school honors “Beacon Charter High Artists of the Year” to students that demonstrate a passion and prowess for the arts.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 94.8% (+18.1%)
District spending per pupil: $13,560
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#28 Cranston HS West
2013 Rank: #30
Enrollment: 1,629
Mascot: Falcons
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Mark van Eeghen (former NFL Pro Bowl running back and the only person ever from Cranston West to have their number retired in any sport), Anthony Meo (baseball player), Jeff Diehl (baseball player), Tom Denucci (actor), Amber van Eeghen (former cheerleader for the New England Patriots).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 92.5% (+4.0%)
District spending per pupil: $13,646
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#27 West Warwick HS
2013 Rank: #26
Enrollment: 982
Mascot: Wizards
Claim to Fame: The school sports a School Improvement Team that brings staff, students, community members, and parents together once a month to have their voices heard concerning how the school can be tailored for success.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 74% (-2.2%)
District spending per pupil: $15,146
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#26 Coventry HS
2013 Rank: #24
Enrollment: 1,694
Mascot: Oakers
Claim to Fame: WCVY 91.5 FM is the school’s own student-operated rock radio station that continues to expand.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 89.5% (+5.9%)
District spending per pupil: $12,600
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#25 Johnston HS
2013 Rank: #22
Enrollment: 903
Mascot: Panthers
Claim to Fame: Famous alums include reality TV star and celebrity Paul (DJ Pauly D) DelVecchnio.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 85.3% (%)
District spending per pupil: $16,954
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#24 North Providence HS
2013 Rank: #28
Enrollment: 998
Mascot: Cougars
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Ernie DiGregorio (basketball player, played for PC and holds the NBA assist record for a single game with 25).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 87.4% (-5.2%)
District spending per pupil: $15,004
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#23 Pilgrim High School
2013 Rank: #21
Enrollment: 1,078
Mascot: Patriots
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include James Woods (Emmy-award winning actor), Chris Terreri (College All-American, Olympian, and two time Stanley Cup winning NHL goalie), Patrick Sheehan (PGA professional golfer), Dan Wheeler (Major League Baseball pitcher).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 80.3% (+0.8%)
District spending per pupil: $16,321
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#22 Davies Career & Tech
William M. Davies Career and Technical High School
2013 Rank: #29
Enrollment: 833
Mascot: Patriots
Claim to Fame: Davies ensures that Parents are heavily involved in the curriculum through the Parent Involvement Policy, which is a program supporting the development, implementation, and regular evaluation that includes parents in all grade levels.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 80.7% (+5.4%)
District spending per pupil: $15,491
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#21 Ponaganset HS
2013 Rank: #17
Enrollment: 722
Mascot: Chieftains
Claim to Fame: The school is heated entirely by recycled wood chips in order to preserve the environment. The school also sports an Energy Lab that enables students to develop career pathways in stem agriculture. Their colors are green, and so is their mindset.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 93.2% (+0.6%)
District spending per pupil: $13,387
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#20 Warwick Veterans HS
Warwick Veterans Memorial High School
2013 Rank: #25
Enrollment: 999
Mascot: Hurricanes
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Bill Almon (baseball player) and Damian Constantino (baseball player, holds NCAA record holder with hits in 60 consecutive games).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 77.3% (-4.1%)
District spending per pupil: $16,321
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#19 Classical High School
2013 Rank: #13
Enrollment: 1113
Mascot: Purples
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include John Orlando Pastore (Former Governor of Rhode Island, US Senator), S. J. Perelman (American Humorist) Bruce Sundlun (Former Governor of RI), Rudolph Fisher (pioneering Black radiologist and writer of the Harlem Renaissance), Irving R. Levine (Former NBC News Economics Correspondent), Frank Licht (Former Governor of RI), George Macready (American actor), A.O. Scott (Chief New York Times Movie Critic), Stanley Fish (Literary theorist and legal scholar), Michael Kang (Filmmaker), C. M. Eddy, Jr. (Renowned Author), Lauren Corrao (Comedy Central executive; helped develop That '70s Show and Mad TV for Fox),William A. Barnett (Economist), Robin Green (Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning television producer for The Sopranos and Northern Exposure, among others), S. Hastings Richardson (Author) Alexander Knight (Poet), Angel Taveras (First Latino Mayor of Providence).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 96.1% (+0.2%)
District spending per pupil: $16,660
Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
#18 Toll Gate HS
2013 Rank: #19
Enrollment: 982
Mascot: Titans
Claim to Fame: Janice Anderson (Assistant Production Manager of Cirque de Soleil), Tom Cavanagh (Forward, Worcester Sharks), Sara DeCosta (Goalie, 1998 and 2002 U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team),Tony Petrarca (Chief Meteorologist, WPRI-TV), Brian Shanley (President of Providence College), David Petrarca (Director whose work has included Big Love, True Blood, and Hung for HBO; over 40 world premieres including Marvin’s Room on Broadway and West End, Fuddy Meers in NYC, and A Year With Frog and Toad on Broadway).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 75.9% (-9.6%)
District spending per pupil: $16,321
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#17 North Kingstown HS
2013 Rank: #14
Enrollment: 1,454
Mascot: Skippers
Claim to Fame: The Skippers won 8 awards at the 2014 Cox Rhode Island Sports Awards.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 90.9% (+2.9%)
District spending per pupil: $13,983
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#16 Mt. Hope HS
2013 Rank: #11
Enrollment: 1,039
Mascot: Huskies
Claim to Fame: Students have the opportunity to bask in the spotlight in the Husky News Network, a student news organization where students can serve as anchors, camera men, and content writers.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 89.9% (+1.8%)
District spending per pupil: $14,817
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#15 Tiverton HS
2013 Rank: #18
Enrollment: 570
Mascot: Tigers
Claim to Fame: A Tiverton HS student was named Rhode Island Foreign Language Association Student of the Year in 2013.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 87.7% (+2.2%)
District spending per pupil: $14,444
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#14 Rogers HS
2013 Rank: #20
Enrollment: 587
Mascot: Vikings
Claim to Fame: Famous alums including Bebe Buell (model, singer, mother of actress Liv Tyler), The Cowsills (family singing act that was the inspiration for TV’s The Partridge Family), Tanya Donelly (co-founder and guitarist of the band Throwing Muses), Joanna Going (actress) Paul Gordon (keyboardist and guitarist for the B-52’s and the Goo Goo Dolls), Kristin Hersh (co-founder of Throwing Muses), P.H. Horgan III (PGA Tour player), Van Johnson (actor), John Mellekas (professional football player), David Narcizo (drummer for the band Throwing Muses), M. Teresa Paiva-Weed (President of the Rhode Island Senate), Jerry Sullivan (sports columnist at The Buffalo News), Noah Jewell (Olympic gymnast).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 68.2% (-14.2%)
District spending per pupil: $19,855
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#13 Smithfield HS
2013 Rank: #16
Enrollment: 772
Mascot: Sentinels
Claim to Fame: Students have the opportunity to work in The Confucius Classroom, a public educational institute established in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Bryant University under the sponsorship of Hanban. The classroom is dedicated to developing globally competent students through an understanding Chinese culture, language, and economic trends.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 89.1% (-3.0%)
District spending per pupil: $13,943
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#12 North Smithfield HS
2013 Rank: #15
Enrollment: 550
Mascot: Northmen
Claim to Fame: The Outstanding Music program was a 2013 semi-finalist for the Grammy Signature School Award.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 87.2% (-4.7%)
District spending per pupil: $12,725
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#11 Lincoln Senior HS
2013 Rank: #9
Enrollment: 1,067
Mascot: Lions
Claim to Fame: Holds an annual show called The Variety Show, entirely student run, which showcases the talents of the student body.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 91.2% (+6.4%)
District spending per pupil: $15,491
Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
#10 Chariho Regional HS
2013 Rank: #6
Enrollment: 1,136
Mascot: Chargers
Claim to Fame: An aggressive academic program provides students with the opportunity to choose from 13 Advanced Placement courses.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 87.4% (-1.9%)
District spending per pupil: $15,520
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#9 Portsmouth HS
2013 Rank: #12
Enrollment: 974
Mascot: Patriots
Claim to Fame: The high school band was invited to President Obama's 2013 Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 90.5% (+1.3%)
District spending per pupil: $13,050
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#8 Middletown HS
2013 Rank: #8
Enrollment: 737
Mascot: Islanders
Claim to Fame: Middletown High School has enacted a specific Professional Learning Community in 2013, a program geared to make fundamental shift from focusing on teaching to an area of learning where students and teachers collaborate.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 90.2% (+16.4%)
District spending per pupil: $13,758
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#7 Westerly HS
2013 Rank: #7
Enrollment: 941
Mascot: Bulldogs
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Dr. Thomas DiPaola (Education leader in RI), Henry Nardone, Sr. (Member of URI Foundation, RI Board of Regents), Dennis Algiere (Current RI Senate Minority Leader), Dr. John Toscano, (Chairman of Dept. of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University), Daryl Finizio (Lawyer, New London Mayoral candidate, Westerly City Council), Peter Lewiss (RI State rep, judge, lawyer) Diana Blanda (Actress/Singer).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 91.1% (+2.7%)
District spending per pupil: $15,993
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#6 Scituate HS
2013 Rank: #10
Enrollment: 491
Mascot: Spartans
Claim to Fame: Scituate High School’s “Schools for Schools” club has raised thousands of dollars for Invisible Children to help Uganda defeat the children soldier crisis there.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 88.2% (-2.4%)
District spending per pupil: $13,394
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#5 Barrington HS
2013 Rank: #5
Enrollment: 1037
Mascot: Eagles
Claim to Fame:Famous alumni include Bill Reynolds (Providence Journal Sports Columnist), Phil Madeira (Award-winning Songwriter/Musician), Judy Clapp (Recording Engineer who has worked with Dwight Yoakham and Bill Frisell) Brian Howe (film and television actor) Marceline Hugot (a film, television and Broadway actress) Brett Quigley (PGA golfer) Shanna Moakler (Former Miss USA, Playboy Magazine model and ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker/star of MTV’s Meet The Barkers), Spalding Gray (Monologuist/Actor) Matthew Broome (New England Amateur Golf Champion).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 95.6% (-1.0%)
District spending per pupil: $12,681
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
#4 Exeter/West Greenwich
Exeter-West Greenwich Regional High School
2013 Rank: #3
Enrollment: 562
Mascot: Scarlet Knights
Claim to Fame: Exeter/West Greenwich has never been ranked outside of the top 4 in GoLocalProv's Top High Schools rankings.
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 92.5% (+6.1%)
District spending per pupil: $16,327
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
#3 East Greenwich HS
2013 Rank: #2
Enrollment: 766
Mascot: Avengers
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Donald Carcieri (Governor of RI), Suzanne Carcieri (First Lady of RI), Debra Messing (Actress), Mark Zito (Radio Host) and Leeann Tingley (2006 Miss Rhode Island USA).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 92.6% (-2.5%)
District spending per pupil: $14,101
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
#2 South Kingstown HS
2013 Rank: #4
Enrollment: 1095
Mascot: Rebels
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Jhumpa Lahiri (Author).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 89.7% (+6.2%)
District spending per pupil: $17,281
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Narragansett HS
2013 Rank: #1
Enrollment: 462
Mascot: Mariners
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include David Cicilline (US Congressman and former Mayor of Providence) and John DeCubellis (lawyer/judge, General Counsel to National Education Association RI).
2013 performance at a glance
Graduation rate: 90.8% (+4.2%)
District spending per pupil: $18,163
Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
