Community School

Summary:

Community School is an exceptional elementary school located in Cumberland, Rhode Island, serving 654 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Cumberland School District, which is ranked 15th out of 60 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Community School has consistently been one of the top-performing elementary schools in Rhode Island, ranking 1st or 2nd out of 166-167 elementary schools in the state for the past several years. The school has maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating exceptional academic performance. In 2023-2024, 64.8% of Community School students were proficient or better in English Language Arts (ELA), compared to 51.1% in the Cumberland district. In the same year, 79.4% of Community School students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 56.3% in the Cumberland district. Community School's ELA and Mathematics proficiency rates are consistently among the highest in the state, often ranking in the top 1-2 elementary schools.

Community School's exceptional performance is further highlighted by its low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 2.66% to 4.89% over the past three school years, significantly lower than the Cumberland district rate. Additionally, the school's spending per student has ranged from $9,231 to $10,573 over the past four school years, which is higher than the state average. This additional funding may contribute to the school's exceptional academic performance and resources available to students. With a relatively low student-teacher ratio ranging from 15.6 to 16.6 students per teacher, Community School provides a high-quality educational experience for its students, as evidenced by its consistent top rankings among elementary schools in Rhode Island.

Detail:

Public K-5

15 Arnold Mills Road
Cumberland, RI 02864

(401) 333-5724

District: Cumberland

SchoolDigger Rank:
1^st of 166 Rhode Island Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,573

Students who attend Community School usually attend:

Middle:	North Cumberland Middle
High:	Cumberland High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.0

Number of students: 672

Racial breakdown:

White:

79.3%

Asian:

6.8%

Hispanic:

6.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 5.2%

See top rated Rhode Island elementary schools

Compare Community School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Community School ranks better than 99.4% of elementary schools in Rhode Island. It also ranks first among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Cumberland School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 97.2. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Community School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Cumberland School District. Racial makeup is: White (79.3%), Asian (6.8%), Hispanic (6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 5.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Cumberland School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Community School is 16. 4 elementary schools in the Cumberland School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Community School employs 42 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Community School is $10,573. 4 elementary schools in the Cumberland School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Community School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Cumberland:

SchoolDigger ranks Cumberland 15^th of 60 Rhode Island school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Community School.

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Rank History for Community School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	RI State Percentile
2009	84.65	21^st	169	87.6%
2010	80.04	33^rd	169	80.5%
2011	79.62	33^rd	165	80.0%
2012	90.33	9^th	165	94.5%
2013	82.74	23^rd	165	86.1%
2014	85.22	19^th	159	88.1%
2015	92.66	7^th	169	95.9%
2016	94.73	3^rd	170	98.2%
2017	94.18	5^th	168	97.0%
2018	94.21	7^th	169	95.9%
2019	95.24	4^th	169	97.6%
2021	97.39	1^st	166	99.4%
2022	97.59	1^st	166	99.4%
2023	97.33	2^nd	167	98.8%
2024	97.20	1^st	166	99.4%

See the entire list of Rhode Island Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Rhode Island Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, February 16, 2017

My daughter has been attending Community School for the past two years and I have been very impressed with the school. They have experienced educators and a talented staff that truly care about the students. The Principal, Mrs. Giroux, does a great job engaging with each family. The school takes full advantage of their name and embraces the community concept in all that they do. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Community School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	459	0	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	461
1989	465	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	465
1990	444	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	444
1991	454	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	454
1992	453	1	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	454
1993	473	4	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	478
1994	473	5	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	479
1995	453	4	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	462
1996	453	4	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	462
1997	481	3	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	487
1998	489	4	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	495
1999	525	5	5	0	0	n/a	n/a	535
2000	605	9	7	0	1	n/a	n/a	622
2001	633	6	6	0	0	n/a	n/a	645
2002	660	8	13	1	0	n/a	n/a	682
2003	660	8	13	1	0	n/a	n/a	682
2004	634	8	13	0	0	n/a	n/a	655
2005	634	8	10	3	0	n/a	n/a	655
2006	598	3	11	4	2	n/a	n/a	618
2007	648	9	11	9	2	n/a	n/a	679
2008	655	8	16	8	5	n/a	n/a	692
2009	639	10	11	7	5	n/a	n/a	672
2010	645	13	27	12	3	n/a	n/a	700
2011	621	7	27	17	0	0	16	688
2012	575	6	17	11	0	0	12	621
2013	598	6	16	12	0	0	5	637
2014	573	5	12	18	0	0	4	612
2015	566	4	14	23	0	0	3	610
2016	526	6	13	19	0	0	8	572
2017	553	6	11	25	0	0	9	604
2018	560	8	15	27	0	0	14	624
2019	533	7	26	31	0	0	13	610
2020	568	6	32	32	0	0	14	652
2021	550	5	38	30	0	0	17	640
2022	564	15	42	33	0	0	22	676
2023	534	16	40	29	0	0	35	654
2024	533	17	46	40	0	0	36	672

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Community School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	461	n/a	n/a	2.6
1989	465	n/a	n/a	0.2
1990	444	n/a	n/a	0.7
1991	454	25.2	18.0	0.7
1992	454	26.0	17.4	1.1
1993	478	26.9	17.8	1
1994	479	25.0	19.2	1.7
1995	462	31.4	14.7	2.8
1996	462	31.4	14.7	2.8
1997	487	31.2	15.6	2.7
1998	495	33.5	14.8	2.4
1999	535	41.3	13.0	4.5
2000	622	45.3	13.7	3.1
2001	645	33.5	19.3	2.6
2002	682	n/a	n/a	2.5
2003	682	n/a	n/a	2.5
2004	655	29.0	22.6	2.3
2005	655	29.0	22.6	0
2006	618	43.0	14.4	2.3
2007	679	25.9	26.2	4
2008	692	38.8	17.8	3.3
2009	672	37.4	15.4	4.8
2010	700	36.2	19.3	5.1
2011	688	36.1	19.0	4.1
2012	621	37.0	16.7	5.8
2013	637	29.0	21.9	6.6
2014	612	30.0	20.4	7.8
2015	610	33.0	18.4	8
2016	572	37.0	15.4	7.3
2017	604	35.3	17.0	5.5
2018	624	36.3	17.1	4.8
2019	610	40.3	15.1	4.8
2020	652	40.3	16.1	5.7
2021	640	40.8	15.6	4.1
2022	676	40.7	16.6	2.7
2023	654	40.7	16.0	4.9
2024	672	42.0	16.0	5.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Community School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	461	n/a	n/a	2.6
1989	465	n/a	n/a	0.2
1990	444	n/a	n/a	0.7
1991	454	25.2	18.0	0.7
1992	454	26.0	17.4	1.1
1993	478	26.9	17.8	1
1994	479	25.0	19.2	1.7
1995	462	31.4	14.7	2.8
1996	462	31.4	14.7	2.8
1997	487	31.2	15.6	2.7
1998	495	33.5	14.8	2.4
1999	535	41.3	13.0	4.5
2000	622	45.3	13.7	3.1
2001	645	33.5	19.3	2.6
2002	682	n/a	n/a	2.5
2003	682	n/a	n/a	2.5
2004	655	29.0	22.6	2.3
2005	655	29.0	22.6	0
2006	618	43.0	14.4	2.3
2007	679	25.9	26.2	4
2008	692	38.8	17.8	3.3
2009	672	37.4	15.4	4.8
2010	700	36.2	19.3	5.1
2011	688	36.1	19.0	4.1
2012	621	37.0	16.7	5.8
2013	637	29.0	21.9	6.6
2014	612	30.0	20.4	7.8
2015	610	33.0	18.4	8
2016	572	37.0	15.4	7.3
2017	604	35.3	17.0	5.5
2018	624	36.3	17.1	4.8
2019	610	40.3	15.1	4.8
2020	652	40.3	16.1	5.7
2021	640	40.8	15.6	4.1
2022	676	40.7	16.6	2.7
2023	654	40.7	16.0	4.9
2024	672	42.0	16.0	5.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Community School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$170 (1.8%)	$9,501 (98.2%)	$9,671
2019	$191 (1.9%)	$9,995 (98.1%)	$10,186
2020	$170 (1.8%)	$9,061 (98.2%)	$9,231
2021	$344 (3.3%)	$10,228 (96.7%)	$10,573

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Community School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 4^th of 169 Elementary schools	Ranks 2^nd of 167 Elementary schools	1.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Community School)	76.3	69.6	6.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cumberland)	64.5	59.5	5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	47.9	36.8	11.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Community School)	70.1	73.2	3.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cumberland)	59.6	63.6	4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	36.1	34.5	1.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Community School)	62.1	60	2.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cumberland)	53.4	49	4.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	37.2	33.3	3.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Community School)	68	73.6	5.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cumberland)	51	61.6	10.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	32.6	36	3.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Community School)	91.2	76.9	14.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cumberland)	61.5	57.7	3.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	39.1	35.1	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Community School)	86.8	82.7	4.1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cumberland)	58	63	5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	30.1	30	0.1%
All Grades English Language Arts (Community School)	75.9	68.7	7.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Cumberland)	61.3	54.8	6.5%
All Grades Mathematics (Community School)	74.6	76.4	1.8%
All Grades Mathematics (Cumberland)	55	57.5	2.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	610	654	7.2%
African American	7	16	128.6%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	26	40	53.8%
Hispanic	31	29	6.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	533	534	0.2%
Two or More Races	13	35	169.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	4.8%	4.9%	0.1%

Schools Near Community School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				NGSA Science (2024)	RICAS English Language Arts (2024)				RICAS Mathematics (2024)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2021)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NGSA Science All Grades	RICAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts All Grades	RICAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	RICAS Mathematics 4th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 5th Grade	RICAS Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Community School	Public	K-5	15 Arnold Mills Road	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 333-5724	672	42	16.0	5.2%	533 (79.3%)	17 (2.5%)	40 (6.0%)	46 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (5.4%)	97.2	1^st of 166 public elementary schools	99.4%		97.3	2^nd of 167 public elementary schools	98.8%	1	64.3	67.7	61.1	66.1	64.8	86.0	77.0	75.9	79.4	$10,573	$345	$10,228
Cumberland Preschool Center	Public	PK	130 Scott Road	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 658-1600	118	6	19.6	14.4%	58 (49.2%)	6 (5.1%)	21 (17.8%)	29 (24.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.4%)								(n/a)
Ashton School	Public	K-5	2602 Mendon Road (Transitional	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 333-0554	327	21	15.5	12.8%	216 (66.1%)	15 (4.6%)	31 (9.5%)	46 (14.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.8%)	84.1	30^th of 166 public elementary schools	81.9%		90.1	17^th of 167 public elementary schools	89.8%	13	42.9	50.8	52.1	49.0	50.6	69.5	66.7	51.0	62.8	$13,490	$180	$13,311
John J. McLaughlin Cumberland	Public	K-5	205 Manville Hill Road	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 658-1660	431	28	15.3	14.6%	286 (66.4%)	11 (2.6%)	54 (12.5%)	56 (13.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.3%)	77.4	40^th of 166 public elementary schools	75.9%		81	33^rd of 167 public elementary schools	80.2%	7	67.6	31.9	47.8	51.4	43.7	42.5	66.2	57.5	55.1	$13,450	$513	$12,937
Blackstone Valley Prep Element	Public, Charter	K-4	3357 Mendon Rd.	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 335-3133	269	25	10.7	67.3%	39 (14.5%)	76 (28.3%)	134 (49.8%)	12 (4.5%)	4 (1.5%)	2 (0.7%)	2 (0.7%)	17.9	140^th of 166 public elementary schools	15.7%		27.8	123^rd of 167 public elementary schools	26.3%	17		18.5	19.2		18.9	20.4	21.2		20.8	$11,964	$1,094	$10,870
Garvin Memorial	Public	K-5	1364 Diamond Hill Road	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 333-2557	399	31	12.8	18.5%	303 (75.9%)	6 (1.5%)	58 (14.5%)	15 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.3%)	78.2	37^th of 166 public elementary schools	77.7%		74.4	46^th of 167 public elementary schools	72.5%	9	44.4	46.0	40.0	44.4	43.5	61.9	65.1	49.2	58.7	$14,501	$1,834	$12,667
Northern Lincoln Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	315 New River Road	Manville	02838	Providence County	Lincoln	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 769-0261	530	40	13.2	39.4%	366 (69.1%)	46 (8.7%)	61 (11.5%)	33 (6.2%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)	19 (3.6%)	57.8	60^th of 166 public elementary schools	63.9%		56.8	65^th of 167 public elementary schools	61.1%	5	47.3	35.8	32.9	28.4	32.3	46.3	36.8	44.6	42.4	$17,896	$2,277	$15,618
Lincoln Central Elementary	Public	K-5	1081 Great Road	Lincoln	02865	Providence County	Lincoln	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 334-2800	423	23	18.3	6.1%	347 (82.0%)	9 (2.1%)	32 (7.6%)	24 (5.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	9 (2.1%)	95	5^th of 166 public elementary schools	97.0%		90	18^th of 167 public elementary schools	89.2%	13	65.3	72.5	57.0	58.3	62.8	76.3	73.4	55.6	68.8	$13,131	$323	$12,808
Leo A. Savoie School	Public	K-5	990 Mendon Road	Woonsocket	02895	Providence County	Woonsocket	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 767-4820	314	22	14.2	42.4%	167 (53.2%)	21 (6.7%)	79 (25.2%)	16 (5.1%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	28 (8.9%)	22	134^th of 166 public elementary schools	19.3%		29.4	116^th of 167 public elementary schools	30.5%	18	16.9	15.2	25.5	14.3	18.3	17.0	30.9	18.5	22.2	$12,918	$1,902	$11,016
B.F. Norton Elementary School	Public	K-5	364 Broad Street	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 722-7610	372	28	13.2	42.2%	209 (56.2%)	29 (7.8%)	106 (28.5%)	10 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.8%)	46.9	84^th of 166 public elementary schools	49.4%		65.1	57^th of 167 public elementary schools	65.9%	27	32.3	35.1	33.3	33.3	33.9	34.4	43.1	24.2	33.3	$15,263	$1,533	$13,731

Frequently Asked Questions about Community School

What schools do graduates of Community School attend?

Students who attend Community School usually go on to attend:

Middle : North Cumberland Middle
High : Cumberland High School

What is the racial makeup of Community School?

Students at Community School are 79% White, 7% Asian, 6% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% African American.

What district is Community School in?

Cumberland

Is Community School a good school?

Yes! Community School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 1^st of 166 Rhode Island elementary schools.

How many students attend Community School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 672 students attended Community School.

Rate Community School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Rhode Island Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.