Asa Messer Elementary School

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:
78th of 166 Rhode Island Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,564 Help


Students who attend Asa Messer Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Esek Hopkins Middle
    Gilbert Stuart Middle School
    Governor Christopher DelSesto
    Nathan Bishop Middle
    More...
High:    Central High School
    Classical High School
    Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School
    Hope High School
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  16.8 Help
Number of students:  537

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
71.9%
African American:
9.1%
White:
7.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Asa Messer Elementary School ranks better than 53% of elementary schools in Rhode Island. It also ranks 2nd among 20 ranked elementary schools in the Providence School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.59. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (71.9%), African American (9.1%), White (7.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 81.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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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...)
Help
Compare Asa Messer Elementary School employs 31.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Asa Messer Elementary School is $17,564, which is the 8th 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 48th 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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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools RI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 3.97 159th 169 5.9%
2010 4.35 158th 169 6.5%
2011 19.34 143rd 165 13.3%
2012 3.18 161st 165 2.4%
2013 2.43 163rd 165 1.2%
2014 3.09 157th 159 1.3%
2015 9.98 158th 169 6.5%
2016 15.81 150th 170 11.8%
2017 15.15 147th 168 12.5%
2018 16.35 146th 169 13.6%
2019 12.48 153rd 169 9.5%
2021 13.67 145th 166 12.7%
2022 11.37 156th 166 6.0%
2023 15.69 144th 167 13.8%
2024 48.59 78th 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

Asa Messer Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
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Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Asa Messer Elementary School

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Compare
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

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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

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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

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal 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 153rd of 169 Elementary schoolsRanks 144th 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)33.718.3
 15.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Providence)26.419.2
 7.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)47.936.8
 11.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Asa Messer Elementary School)18.222.4
 4.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Providence)1720.8
 3.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)36.134.5
 1.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Asa Messer Elementary School)1415
 1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Providence)15.217.1
 1.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)37.233.3
 3.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Asa Messer Elementary School)12.616.8
 4.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Providence)14.119.1
 5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)32.636
 3.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Asa Messer Elementary School)23.916.6
 7.3%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Providence)17.215.1
 2.1%
All Grades Mathematics (Asa Messer Elementary School)15.519.6
 4.1%
   All Grades Mathematics (Providence)11.913
 1.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students545537
 1.5%
African American4849
 2.1%
American Indian45
 25%
Asian4828
 41.7%
Hispanic382386
 1%
Pacific Islander00
White4441
 6.8%
Two or More Races1918
 5.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients88.6%81.2%
 7.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about 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.

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

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


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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.





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