NEW: RI League of Charter Schools' Nardelli to Retire, Groves Named Successor

#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