Ponaganset Middle School

Q: Is Ponaganset Middle School a good school?

Ponaganset Middle School ranks 20 th of 64 Rhode Island middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Ponaganset Middle School is a public middle school located in North Scituate, Rhode Island, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 426 students. The school is part of the Foster-Glocester school district, which is ranked 21 out of 60 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ponaganset Middle School consistently ranks among the top 20 middle schools in Rhode Island, with a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger in recent years. The school's proficiency rates in RICAS English Language Arts (45.8%) and Mathematics (30.9%) are higher than the district's average, and its 8th-grade proficiency rates in these subjects are significantly higher than the state averages. Ponaganset Middle School also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.7 to 11.3 over the past three school years, and a higher per-student spending compared to nearby schools.

When compared to nearby schools, Ponaganset Middle School outperforms many in academic proficiency, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics. However, the nearby North Smithfield Middle School, which is ranked 6th in the state, has higher proficiency rates in both subjects. Ponaganset Middle School also has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 13.32% to 16.67% over the past three school years, which is lower than many of the nearby schools.

Detail:

Public 6-8

7 Rustic Hill Road
North Scituate, RI 02857

(401) 710-7500

District: Foster-Glocester

SchoolDigger Rank:
20^th of 64 Rhode Island Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $18,644

Students who attend Ponaganset Middle School usually attend:

High:

Ponaganset High School

Feeder schools for Ponaganset Middle School:

Elementary:	Capt. Isaac Paine Elementary School
	Fogarty Memorial
	West Glocester Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 11.3

Number of students: 426

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.2%

Hispanic:

3.8%

Two or more races:

1.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 16.7%

See top rated Rhode Island middle schools

Compare Ponaganset Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Ponaganset Middle School ranks better than 68.8% of middle schools in Rhode Island. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 68.27. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.2%), Hispanic (3.8%), two or more races (1.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 16.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ponaganset Middle School is 11.3. (See more...)

Compare Ponaganset Middle School employs 37.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ponaganset Middle School is $18,644.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Ponaganset Middle School 20^th of 64 Rhode Island public middle schools. (See Ponaganset Middle School in the ranking list.)

Foster-Glocester:

SchoolDigger ranks Foster-Glocester 21^st of 60 Rhode Island school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Ponaganset Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	RI State Percentile
2009	55.64	26^th	53	50.9%
2010	67.39	22^nd	54	59.3%
2011	56.04	23^rd	49	53.1%
2012	67.62	18^th	48	62.5%
2013	65.41	17^th	48	64.6%
2014	69.84	17^th	49	65.3%
2015	58.96	21^st	59	64.4%
2016	68.86	16^th	59	72.9%
2017	57.94	26^th	57	54.4%
2018	58.08	20^th	53	62.3%
2019	61.91	23^rd	61	62.3%
2021	65.70	20^th	62	67.7%
2022	72.97	14^th	60	76.7%
2023	70.72	19^th	64	70.3%
2024	68.27	20^th	64	68.8%

See the entire list of Rhode Island Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Ponaganset Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	486	6	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	494
1989	497	4	2	2	1	n/a	n/a	506
1990	521	4	1	n/a	1	n/a	n/a	527
1991	573	2	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	578
1992	558	1	0	10	0	n/a	n/a	569
1993	604	2	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	610
1994	610	2	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	615
1995	639	1	1	2	1	n/a	n/a	644
1996	639	1	1	2	1	n/a	n/a	644
1997	648	4	3	8	4	n/a	n/a	667
1998	675	2	1	0	2	n/a	n/a	680
1999	683	2	1	2	7	n/a	n/a	695
2000	683	4	2	2	9	n/a	n/a	700
2001	689	5	2	2	7	n/a	n/a	705
2002	750	12	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	764
2003	750	12	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	764
2004	738	12	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	753
2005	690	8	1	4	0	n/a	n/a	703
2006	638	9	2	7	0	n/a	n/a	656
2007	633	7	6	6	0	n/a	n/a	652
2008	601	8	10	6	0	n/a	n/a	625
2009	555	5	8	4	0	n/a	n/a	572
2010	534	4	9	5	0	n/a	n/a	552
2011	503	0	0	0	0	0	0	503
2012	474	1	2	1	0	2	2	482
2013	454	2	2	6	0	2	4	470
2014	446	1	4	9	1	1	6	468
2015	458	1	3	0	0	0	8	470
2016	452	1	4	4	2	0	7	470
2017	465	2	3	4	1	0	7	482
2018	482	1	6	11	1	0	8	509
2019	470	4	6	11	0	0	10	501
2020	453	5	6	16	0	0	15	495
2021	410	6	3	13	1	0	12	445
2022	412	3	3	16	1	0	8	443
2023	397	5	1	16	1	0	6	426

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 Ponaganset Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	494	n/a	n/a	10.1
1989	506	n/a	n/a	6.3
1990	527	n/a	n/a	5.9
1991	578	45.1	12.8	4.7
1992	569	44.0	12.9	7
1993	610	44.1	13.8	6.6
1994	615	46.0	13.4	7.6
1995	644	53.0	12.2	8.9
1996	644	53.0	12.2	8.9
1997	667	54.4	12.3	4.9
1998	680	54.5	12.5	8.2
1999	695	54.4	12.8	10.5
2000	700	54.0	13.0	11.7
2001	705	49.8	14.2	9.1
2002	764	n/a	n/a	9.4
2003	764	n/a	n/a	9.4
2004	753	54.0	13.9	8.5
2005	703	56.2	12.5	5.7
2006	656	45.0	14.6	10.7
2007	652	42.8	15.2	0.6
2008	625	38.9	16.1	9.4
2009	572	36.9	12.2	17.3
2010	552	37.9	14.5	14.9
2011	503	34.9	14.4	18.5
2012	482	32.0	15.0	17.8
2013	470	33.0	14.2	20.4
2014	468	40.0	11.7	20.3
2015	470	30.0	15.6	20.4
2016	470	38.0	12.3	19.4
2017	482	40.5	11.9	19.7
2018	509	41.4	12.2	17.7
2019	501	39.4	12.7	14
2020	495	41.4	11.9	12.3
2021	445	41.4	10.7	16
2022	443	40.4	10.9	13.3
2023	426	37.4	11.3	16.7

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 Ponaganset Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	494	n/a	n/a	10.1
1989	506	n/a	n/a	6.3
1990	527	n/a	n/a	5.9
1991	578	45.1	12.8	4.7
1992	569	44.0	12.9	7
1993	610	44.1	13.8	6.6
1994	615	46.0	13.4	7.6
1995	644	53.0	12.2	8.9
1996	644	53.0	12.2	8.9
1997	667	54.4	12.3	4.9
1998	680	54.5	12.5	8.2
1999	695	54.4	12.8	10.5
2000	700	54.0	13.0	11.7
2001	705	49.8	14.2	9.1
2002	764	n/a	n/a	9.4
2003	764	n/a	n/a	9.4
2004	753	54.0	13.9	8.5
2005	703	56.2	12.5	5.7
2006	656	45.0	14.6	10.7
2007	652	42.8	15.2	0.6
2008	625	38.9	16.1	9.4
2009	572	36.9	12.2	17.3
2010	552	37.9	14.5	14.9
2011	503	34.9	14.4	18.5
2012	482	32.0	15.0	17.8
2013	470	33.0	14.2	20.4
2014	468	40.0	11.7	20.3
2015	470	30.0	15.6	20.4
2016	470	38.0	12.3	19.4
2017	482	40.5	11.9	19.7
2018	509	41.4	12.2	17.7
2019	501	39.4	12.7	14
2020	495	41.4	11.9	12.3
2021	445	41.4	10.7	16
2022	443	40.4	10.9	13.3
2023	426	37.4	11.3	16.7

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 Ponaganset Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$353 (2.3%)	$14,971 (97.7%)	$15,324
2019	$411 (2.6%)	$15,232 (97.4%)	$15,643
2020	$449 (2.8%)	$15,650 (97.2%)	$16,099
2021	$810 (4.3%)	$17,833 (95.7%)	$18,644

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ponaganset Middle 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 23^rd of 61 Middle schools	Ranks 19^th of 64 Middle schools	8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Ponaganset Middle School)	57	58.3	1.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Foster-Glocester)	57	58.3	1.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	39.1	31.9	7.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Ponaganset Middle School)	25.3	39.8	14.5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Foster-Glocester)	25.3	39.8	14.5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	28	28.7	0.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Ponaganset Middle School)	58.3	46.2	12.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Foster-Glocester)	57.9	46.2	11.7%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	31.5	29	2.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Ponaganset Middle School)	38.7	45.2	6.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Foster-Glocester)	38.4	45.2	6.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	27.6	25.7	1.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Ponaganset Middle School)	45.6	39.3	6.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Foster-Glocester)	45.6	38.7	6.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	36.3	32.2	4.1%
8th Grade Mathematics (Ponaganset Middle School)	23.6	29.8	6.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Foster-Glocester)	23.6	29.6	6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	24.5	23	1.5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Ponaganset Middle School)	53.6	47.7	5.9%
All Grades English Language Arts (Foster-Glocester)	53.5	47.5	6%
All Grades Mathematics (Ponaganset Middle School)	29.3	38.3	9%
All Grades Mathematics (Foster-Glocester)	29.2	38.2	9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	501	426	15%
African American	4	5	25%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	6	1	83.3%
Hispanic	11	16	45.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	470	397	15.5%
Two or More Races	10	6	40%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	14%	16.7%	2.7%

Schools Near Ponaganset Middle 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 5th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts All Grades	RICAS Mathematics 5th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 6th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 7th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 8th Grade	RICAS Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Ponaganset Middle School	Public	6-8	7 Rustic Hill Road	North Scituate	02857	Providence County	Foster-Glocester	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 710-7500	426	37	11.3	16.7%	397 (93.2%)	5 (1.2%)	16 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.4%)	68.3	20^th of 64 public middle schools	68.8%		70.7	19^th of 64 public middle schools	70.3%	1	46.9		44.8	42.1	50.0	45.8		19.5	40.6	32.4	30.9	$18,644	$811	$17,833
Scituate Middle School	Public	6-8	94 Trimtown Road	North Scituate	02857	Providence County	Scituate	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 647-4123	265	21	12.4	14.7%	244 (92.1%)	3 (1.1%)	11 (4.2%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.3%)	68.4	19^th of 64 public middle schools	70.3%		59.9	25^th of 64 public middle schools	60.9%	6	58.3		32.1	37.2	56.0	41.7		32.1	28.7	39.3	33.3	$14,681	$298	$14,383
Vincent J. Gallagher Middle	Public	6-8	10 Indian Run Trail	Smithfield	02917	Providence County	Smithfield	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 949-2056	537	44	12.2	14.7%	449 (83.6%)	9 (1.7%)	54 (10.1%)	8 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.2%)	80	12^th of 64 public middle schools	81.3%		73.9	16^th of 64 public middle schools	75.0%	4	40.6		47.7	51.6	44.6	48.1		43.6	44.6	48.8	45.7	$14,405	$258	$14,147
Burrillville Middle School	Public	6-8	2220 Broncos Highway	Harrisville	02830	Providence County	Burrillville	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 568-1320	486	41	11.9	37.4%	433 (89.1%)	10 (2.1%)	28 (5.8%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	11 (2.3%)	34.2	37^th of 64 public middle schools	42.2%		35.2	36^th of 64 public middle schools	43.8%	1	40.3		17.7	23.7	25.3	22.4			14.4	16.9	12.3	$16,091	$165	$15,926
North Smithfield Middle School	Public	5-8	1850 Providence Pike	North Smithfield	02896	Providence County	North Smithfield	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 597-6100	506	43	11.8	22.3%	420 (83.0%)	11 (2.2%)	49 (9.7%)	11 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.0%)	88	6^th of 64 public middle schools	90.6%		88.7	6^th of 64 public middle schools	90.6%		44.9	61.4	52.7	56.1	58.4	57.0	59.6	49.6	62.1	55.8	56.6	$13,145	$260	$12,885
Nicholas A. Ferri Middle	Public	6-8	10 Memorial Avenue	Johnston	02919	Providence County	Johnston	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 233-1930	761	59	12.8	46.0%	459 (60.3%)	47 (6.2%)	212 (27.9%)	26 (3.4%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	14 (1.8%)	33.6	38^th of 64 public middle schools	40.6%		37.9	33^rd of 64 public middle schools	48.4%	5	21.0		30.9	29.5	32.3	31.0		12.8	18.5	12.9	14.5	$11,447	$213	$11,234
Excel Academy Rhode Island	Public, Charter	5-6	622 Woonasquatucket Avenue	North Providence	02911	Providence County	Excel Academy Rhode Island	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(401) 680-6086	117	10	11.7	80.3%	3 (2.6%)	22 (18.8%)	87 (74.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.3%)								(n/a)	23.8	23.8	29.7			27.2	14.5	22.5			19.1
Dr. Edward Ricci School	Public	6-8	51 Intervale Avenue	North Providence	02911	Providence County	North Providence	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 233-1170	417	32	13.0	41.5%	194 (46.5%)	59 (14.1%)	119 (28.5%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (9.1%)	36.7	35^th of 64 public middle schools	45.3%		42.6	32^nd of 64 public middle schools	50.0%	3	24.8		30.4	28.3	35.1	31.5		10.9	15.6	22.7	16.6	$12,633	$459	$12,174
Lincoln Middle School	Public	6-8	152 Jenckes Hill Road	Lincoln	02865	Providence County	Lincoln	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 721-3400	778	51	15.3	28.7%	583 (74.9%)	40 (5.1%)	94 (12.1%)	22 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.6%)	34 (4.4%)	71.2	17^th of 64 public middle schools	73.4%		74.1	15^th of 64 public middle schools	76.6%	2	42.6		28.2	34.7	47.5	37.0		45.5	42.6	46.3	44.8	$14,012	$268	$13,744
Governor Christopher DelSesto	Public	6-8	152 Springfield Street	Providence	02909	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 278-0557	731	44	16.6	88.1%	55 (7.5%)	76 (10.4%)	530 (72.5%)	17 (2.3%)	7 (1.0%)	3 (0.4%)	30 (4.1%)								(n/a)					8.9							$15,665	$1,430	$14,235

Frequently Asked Questions about Ponaganset Middle School

What high school do graduates of Ponaganset Middle School attend?

Students who attend Ponaganset Middle School usually go on to attend Ponaganset High School

Is Ponaganset Middle School a good school?

Ponaganset Middle School ranks 20^th of 64 Rhode Island middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Ponaganset Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 426 students attended Ponaganset Middle School.

What district is Ponaganset Middle School in?

Foster-Glocester

What is the racial makeup of Ponaganset Middle School?

Students at Ponaganset Middle School are 93% White, 4% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races, 1% African American.

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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.