Asa Messer Elementary School

Q: Is Asa Messer Elementary School a good school?

Asa Messer Elementary School ranks 78 th of 166 Rhode Island elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Asa Messer Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-4 in Providence, Rhode Island, with an enrollment of 537 students. The school is part of the Providence school district, which is ranked 48 out of 60 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Asa Messer Elementary has consistently underperformed compared to state and district averages on standardized tests, with only 40% of its students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 31.7% proficient or better in Math for 3rd grade in the 2023-2024 school year. The school has ranked in the bottom quarter of Rhode Island elementary schools, receiving a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. This suggests the school is among the lowest-performing in the state. The school serves a predominantly low-income student population, with 81.19% to 84.54% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch over the past few years.

The challenges faced by Asa Messer Elementary are not unique, as nearby William D'Abate Elementary, Webster Avenue School, and Alfred Lima Senior Elementary also perform poorly on academic measures and serve similar low-income student populations. In contrast, the Achievement First and Paul Cuffee charter schools in the area generally outperform Asa Messer and the other Providence district schools, suggesting that alternative educational models may be more effective in addressing the needs of this student population.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

1655 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02909

(401) 456-9401

District: Providence

SchoolDigger Rank:
78^th of 166 Rhode Island Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,564

Students who attend Asa Messer Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Esek Hopkins Middle
	Gilbert Stuart Middle School
	Governor Christopher DelSesto
	Nathan Bishop Middle
	More...
	Nathanael Greene Middle
	Roger Williams Middle
High:	Central High School
	Classical High School
	Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School
	Hope High School
	More...
	Mount Pleasant High
	W B Cooley & Academy Internationa

Student/teacher ratio: 16.8

Number of students: 537

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

71.9%

African American:

9.1%

White:

7.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 81.2%

See top rated Rhode Island elementary schools

Compare Asa Messer Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Asa Messer Elementary School ranks better than 53% of elementary schools in Rhode Island. It also ranks 2^nd among 20 ranked elementary schools in the Providence School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.59. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (71.9%), African American (9.1%), White (7.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 81.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Asa Messer Elementary School is 16.8. 12 elementary schools in the Providence School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Asa Messer Elementary School employs 31.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Asa Messer Elementary School is $17,564, which is the 8^th highest among 20 elementary schools in the Providence School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Asa Messer Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Providence:

SchoolDigger ranks Providence 48^th of 60 Rhode Island school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Asa Messer Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	RI State Percentile
2009	3.97	159^th	169	5.9%
2010	4.35	158^th	169	6.5%
2011	19.34	143^rd	165	13.3%
2012	3.18	161^st	165	2.4%
2013	2.43	163^rd	165	1.2%
2014	3.09	157^th	159	1.3%
2015	9.98	158^th	169	6.5%
2016	15.81	150^th	170	11.8%
2017	15.15	147^th	168	12.5%
2018	16.35	146^th	169	13.6%
2019	12.48	153^rd	169	9.5%
2021	13.67	145^th	166	12.7%
2022	11.37	156^th	166	6.0%
2023	15.69	144^th	167	13.8%
2024	48.59	78^th	166	53.0%

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

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Enrollment information for Asa Messer Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	53	69	116	77	2	n/a	n/a	0	317
1989	45	58	135	93	5	n/a	n/a	0	336
1990	31	75	156	79	4	n/a	n/a	0	345
1991	29	91	155	93	2	n/a	n/a	0	370
1992	30	90	158	99	4	n/a	n/a	0	381
1993	28	77	132	115	2	n/a	n/a	0	354
1994	32	70	146	127	3	n/a	n/a	0	378
1995	23	57	149	132	0	n/a	n/a	0	361
1996	23	57	149	132	0	n/a	n/a	0	361
1997	22	49	130	146	0	n/a	n/a	0	347
1998	20	47	123	156	0	n/a	n/a	0	346
1999	27	47	117	169	0	n/a	n/a	0	360
2000	23	49	111	172	0	n/a	n/a	0	355
2001	21	44	108	180	0	n/a	n/a	0	353
2002	23	48	96	176	1	n/a	n/a	0	344
2003	23	48	96	176	1	n/a	n/a	0	344
2004	19	46	80	169	1	n/a	n/a	0	315
2005	14	58	81	157	1	n/a	n/a	0	311
2006	19	45	56	166	4	n/a	n/a	0	290
2007	18	48	54	174	2	n/a	n/a	0	296
2008	18	36	43	157	3	n/a	n/a	0	257
2009	16	32	33	164	0	n/a	n/a	0	245
2010	16	34	41	164	0	n/a	n/a	0	255
2011	11	30	51	165	1	0	7	0	265
2012	25	61	91	409	1	0	12	0	599
2013	25	60	84	440	1	0	17	0	627
2014	26	67	84	432	2	0	14	0	625
2015	34	67	69	371	4	1	17	0	563
2016	50	77	65	350	4	1	14	0	561
2017	56	68	52	346	2	0	10	0	534
2018	47	62	51	353	2	0	12	0	527
2019	44	48	48	382	4	0	19	0	545
2020	38	43	38	417	6	1	16	0	559
2021	32	37	29	377	4	0	19	0	498
2022	40	34	24	377	4	1	19	17	516
2023	41	49	28	386	5	0	18	10	537

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 Asa Messer Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	317	n/a	n/a	97.2
1989	336	n/a	n/a	84.5
1990	345	n/a	n/a	86.4
1991	370	20.5	18.0	88.9
1992	381	23.0	16.5	85.6
1993	354	18.4	19.2	92.1
1994	378	18.0	21.0	85.4
1995	361	19.0	19.0	93.9
1996	361	19.0	19.0	93.9
1997	347	19.9	17.4	94.2
1998	346	21.0	16.5	93.6
1999	360	24.9	14.5	95
2000	355	20.0	17.8	95.8
2001	353	19.9	17.7	87.3
2002	344	n/a	n/a	92.4
2003	344	n/a	n/a	92.4
2004	315	37.0	8.5	94.6
2005	311	24.0	13.0	96.1
2006	290	22.0	13.2	92.8
2007	296	19.1	15.5	83.8
2008	257	18.6	13.8	91.4
2009	245	15.0	13.8	93.9
2010	255	17.0	15.0	95.7
2011	265	15.0	17.6	92.8
2012	599	32.0	18.7	90.5
2013	627	29.0	21.6	94.9
2014	625	29.0	21.5	87.5
2015	563	26.0	21.6	87.9
2016	561	35.0	16.0	86.5
2017	534	32.0	16.6	92.9
2018	527	32.5	16.2	89
2019	545	32.0	17.0	88.6
2020	559	31.0	18.0	78.4
2021	498	32.8	15.1	84.5
2022	516	32.3	15.9	83.7
2023	537	31.8	16.8	81.2

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 Asa Messer Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	317	n/a	n/a	97.2
1989	336	n/a	n/a	84.5
1990	345	n/a	n/a	86.4
1991	370	20.5	18.0	88.9
1992	381	23.0	16.5	85.6
1993	354	18.4	19.2	92.1
1994	378	18.0	21.0	85.4
1995	361	19.0	19.0	93.9
1996	361	19.0	19.0	93.9
1997	347	19.9	17.4	94.2
1998	346	21.0	16.5	93.6
1999	360	24.9	14.5	95
2000	355	20.0	17.8	95.8
2001	353	19.9	17.7	87.3
2002	344	n/a	n/a	92.4
2003	344	n/a	n/a	92.4
2004	315	37.0	8.5	94.6
2005	311	24.0	13.0	96.1
2006	290	22.0	13.2	92.8
2007	296	19.1	15.5	83.8
2008	257	18.6	13.8	91.4
2009	245	15.0	13.8	93.9
2010	255	17.0	15.0	95.7
2011	265	15.0	17.6	92.8
2012	599	32.0	18.7	90.5
2013	627	29.0	21.6	94.9
2014	625	29.0	21.5	87.5
2015	563	26.0	21.6	87.9
2016	561	35.0	16.0	86.5
2017	534	32.0	16.6	92.9
2018	527	32.5	16.2	89
2019	545	32.0	17.0	88.6
2020	559	31.0	18.0	78.4
2021	498	32.8	15.1	84.5
2022	516	32.3	15.9	83.7
2023	537	31.8	16.8	81.2

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 Asa Messer Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$853 (5.9%)	$13,707 (94.1%)	$14,560
2019	$1,140 (7.6%)	$13,813 (92.4%)	$14,954
2020	$1,727 (11.5%)	$13,267 (88.5%)	$14,994
2021	$2,167 (12.3%)	$15,397 (87.7%)	$17,564

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Asa Messer Elementary 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 153^rd of 169 Elementary schools	Ranks 144^th of 167 Elementary schools	4.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Asa Messer Elementary School)	33.7	18.3	15.4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Providence)	26.4	19.2	7.2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	47.9	36.8	11.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Asa Messer Elementary School)	18.2	22.4	4.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Providence)	17	20.8	3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	36.1	34.5	1.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Asa Messer Elementary School)	14	15	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Providence)	15.2	17.1	1.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	37.2	33.3	3.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Asa Messer Elementary School)	12.6	16.8	4.2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Providence)	14.1	19.1	5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	32.6	36	3.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Asa Messer Elementary School)	23.9	16.6	7.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (Providence)	17.2	15.1	2.1%
All Grades Mathematics (Asa Messer Elementary School)	15.5	19.6	4.1%
All Grades Mathematics (Providence)	11.9	13	1.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	545	537	1.5%
African American	48	49	2.1%
American Indian	4	5	25%
Asian	48	28	41.7%
Hispanic	382	386	1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	44	41	6.8%
Two or More Races	19	18	5.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	88.6%	81.2%	7.4%

Schools Near Asa Messer Elementary 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
Asa Messer Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1655 Westminster Street	Providence	02909	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9401	537	32	16.8	81.2%	41 (7.6%)	49 (9.1%)	386 (71.9%)	28 (5.2%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.4%)	48.6	78^th of 166 public elementary schools	53.0%		15.7	144^th of 167 public elementary schools	13.8%	66		45.3	36.6		40.0	35.1	29.2		31.7	$17,564	$2,167	$15,397
William D'Abate Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	60 Kossuth Street	Providence	02909	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9416	371	22	17.1	87.3%	20 (5.4%)	36 (9.7%)	292 (78.7%)	6 (1.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.0%)	21.9	135^th of 166 public elementary schools	18.7%		20.5	134^th of 167 public elementary schools	19.8%	1	22.4	11.3	16.4	27.7	17.3	8.2	29.7	22.4	19.9	$14,464	$2,445	$12,019
Webster Avenue School	Public	K-5	191 Webster Avenue	Providence	02909	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9414	302	20	15.4	90.7%	17 (5.6%)	22 (7.3%)	248 (82.1%)	6 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.7%)	8.6	161^st of 166 public elementary schools	3.0%		10.5	155^th of 167 public elementary schools	7.2%	6	7.0	18.6	8.8	5.4	10.3	12.8	6.9	10.5	9.9	$18,730	$4,106	$14,624
Alfred Lima Senior Elementary School	Public	K-5	222 Daboll Street	Providence	02907	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 278-0504	593	41	14.4	78.1%	20 (3.4%)	59 (9.9%)	465 (78.4%)	17 (2.9%)	9 (1.5%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (2.2%)	8.8	160^th of 166 public elementary schools	3.6%		7.4	166^th of 167 public elementary schools	0.6%	6	8.0		7.5			17.6	10.4	7.1	11.2	$15,953	$1,679	$14,274
Achievement First Promesa	Public, Charter	K-4	234 Daboll St	Providence	02907	Providence County	Achievement First Rhode Island	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 347-1125	365	28	13.2	56.4%	20 (5.5%)	56 (15.3%)	258 (70.7%)	12 (3.3%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	15 (4.1%)	27.8	119^th of 166 public elementary schools	28.3%		28.9	119^th of 167 public elementary schools	28.7%			23.4	26.3		24.9	30.9	22.3		26.6
Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	85 Laurel Hill Avenue	Providence	02909	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9389	376	27	14.1	89.6%	13 (3.5%)	24 (6.4%)	324 (86.2%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.9%)	22.7	133^rd of 166 public elementary schools	19.9%		24.4	126^th of 167 public elementary schools	24.6%	7	14.3	22.0	18.3	19.2	19.8	29.7	26.3	18.7	24.9	$16,789	$2,385	$14,404
Achievement First Envision Ele	Public, Charter	K-3	370 Hartford Ave	Providence	02909	Providence County	Achievement First Rhode Island	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 347-1115	277	21	13.1	81.6%	12 (4.3%)	68 (24.5%)	186 (67.1%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.9%)	15.9	145^th of 166 public elementary schools	12.7%					(n/a)		20.4				21.5
Achievement First Providence	Public, Charter	K-4	370 Hartford Avenue	Providence	02909	Providence County	Achievement First Rhode Island	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 347-1106	466	27	17.2	69.7%	25 (5.4%)	88 (18.9%)	334 (71.7%)	9 (1.9%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.9%)	35.6	96^th of 166 public elementary schools	42.2%		22.7	129^th of 167 public elementary schools	22.8%	33		31.2	25.0		28.0	30.1	34.7		32.4	$12,207	$1,969	$10,237
Paul Cuffee Lower School	Public, Charter	K-5	459 Promenade Street	Providence	02908	Providence County	Paul Cuffee Charter School	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 453-2626	359	30	11.9	83.3%	17 (4.7%)	66 (18.4%)	242 (67.4%)	10 (2.8%)	4 (1.1%)	2 (0.6%)	18 (5.0%)	13.8	153^rd of 166 public elementary schools	7.8%		13.8	150^th of 167 public elementary schools	10.2%	3	15.0	21.7	6.9	15.0	14.6	15.0	19.0	11.7	15.2	$15,952	$1,766	$14,186
Leviton Dual Language School	Public	K-5	65 Greenwich Street	Providence	02907	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 278-2872	272	13	20.6	86.0%	12 (4.4%)	3 (1.1%)	249 (91.5%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.5%)	39	91^st of 166 public elementary schools	45.2%		35.9	98^th of 167 public elementary schools	41.3%	7	17.6	40.9	20.0	18.4	26.1	40.0	48.9	25.5	37.8	$17,359	$2,881	$14,478

Frequently Asked Questions about Asa Messer Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Asa Messer Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Asa Messer Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Esek Hopkins Middle
Middle : Gilbert Stuart Middle School
Middle : Governor Christopher DelSesto
Middle : Nathan Bishop Middle
Middle : Nathanael Greene Middle
Middle : Roger Williams Middle
High : Central High School
High : Classical High School
High : Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School
High : Hope High School
High : Mount Pleasant High
High : W B Cooley & Academy Internationa

How many students attend Asa Messer Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 537 students attended Asa Messer Elementary School.

What district is Asa Messer Elementary School in?

Providence

Is Asa Messer Elementary School a good school?

Asa Messer Elementary School ranks 78^th of 166 Rhode Island elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Asa Messer Elementary School?

Students at Asa Messer Elementary School are 72% Hispanic, 9% African American, 8% White, 5% Asian, 3% Two or more races, 2% Not Specified.

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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.