Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Q: Is Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School a good school?

Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School ranks 87 th of 166 Rhode Island elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School is a public elementary school in Providence, Rhode Island, serving 408 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. 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.

Academically, Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School has consistently ranked in the middle range of Rhode Island elementary schools over the past 10 years. While the school's performance on state assessments is generally higher than the Providence district average, it still lags behind the state average. For example, in 2023-2024, 26.9% of students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 15.3% in the district and 37.8% statewide. The school also has a high percentage of students from low-income families, with 73.04% receiving free or reduced-price lunch in 2022-2023.

Interestingly, the nearby schools, such as Veazie Street School, George J. West Elementary School, and Harry Kizirian Elementary, have similar demographic and performance profiles to Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School. However, the nearby Times2 Elementary School, a charter school, has slightly better academic performance. Overall, the challenges faced by Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School are not unique, and may require a broader, district-wide approach to address.

Detail:

Public K-5

195 Nelson Street
Providence, RI 02908

(401) 456-9403

District: Providence

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,997

Students who attend Robert F. Kennedy 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: 17.0

Number of students: 408

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

57.4%

African American:

15.9%

White:

14.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 73%

See top rated Rhode Island elementary schools

Compare Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School ranks worse than 52.4% of elementary schools in Rhode Island. It also ranks 4^th among 20 ranked elementary schools in the Providence School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 41.75. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (57.4%), African American (15.9%), White (14.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 73% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School is 17. 13 elementary schools in the Providence School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School employs 23.9 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School is $14,997. 14 elementary schools in the Providence School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Robert F. Kennedy 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.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School.

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Rank History for Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	RI State Percentile
2009	32.42	121^st	169	28.4%
2010	19.49	135^th	169	20.1%
2011	29.81	126^th	165	23.6%
2012	41.98	112^th	165	32.1%
2013	33.03	123^rd	165	25.5%
2014	23.38	126^th	159	20.8%
2015	26.43	129^th	169	23.7%
2016	39.08	109^th	170	35.9%
2017	55.94	78^th	168	53.6%
2018	38.17	104^th	169	38.5%
2019	41.33	105^th	169	37.9%
2021	35.86	96^th	166	42.2%
2022	34.01	99^th	166	40.4%
2023	31.40	112^th	167	32.9%
2024	41.75	87^th	166	47.6%

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: 2)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Sunday, December 16, 2012

The teachers could be better and teach better some are better than others, also there are no functions for kids the halloween parties are dull and tasteless no decorations no music nothing complete boredom, the Christmas parties are just as dull they never have any dances or parties they don't even do awards like student of the week or month nothing they don't even do anything for the 100 day of school the school does have a chorus club but the music and art room are together. And the gym is also the cafeteria. I despised this school since my daughter was in 2nd grade and I couldn't transfer her because every other school has negative reviews plus there not in our district. This is why I decided after 5 th grade I'm moving out of providence cause the schools suck Close Quote

Enrollment information for Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	367	76	49	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	513
1989	360	77	47	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	514
1990	366	71	56	27	n/a	n/a	n/a	0	520
1991	370	63	44	42	0	n/a	n/a	0	519
1992	357	98	73	88	1	n/a	n/a	0	617
1993	339	97	71	97	3	n/a	n/a	0	607
1994	343	94	67	87	4	n/a	n/a	0	595
1995	320	75	70	110	2	n/a	n/a	0	577
1996	320	75	70	110	2	n/a	n/a	0	577
1997	296	77	64	136	1	n/a	n/a	0	574
1998	319	81	53	117	3	n/a	n/a	0	573
1999	326	77	52	108	2	n/a	n/a	0	565
2000	315	80	39	115	1	n/a	n/a	0	550
2001	288	81	32	143	3	n/a	n/a	0	547
2002	246	94	25	179	3	n/a	n/a	0	547
2003	246	94	25	179	3	n/a	n/a	0	547
2004	212	112	23	187	6	n/a	n/a	0	540
2005	194	114	24	183	5	n/a	n/a	0	520
2006	181	124	23	168	8	n/a	n/a	0	504
2007	172	145	22	154	7	n/a	n/a	0	500
2008	175	130	23	164	9	n/a	n/a	0	501
2009	172	140	27	173	4	n/a	n/a	0	516
2010	151	148	27	181	3	n/a	n/a	0	510
2011	106	130	24	218	9	0	17	0	504
2012	109	116	27	242	6	0	29	0	529
2013	118	100	25	235	4	0	29	0	511
2014	108	103	21	248	3	0	26	0	509
2015	86	97	20	241	2	0	34	0	480
2016	92	97	17	224	4	0	36	0	470
2017	83	98	20	237	0	2	41	0	481
2018	89	89	19	226	2	2	40	0	467
2019	82	92	15	241	2	1	42	0	475
2020	70	88	11	275	3	1	31	0	479
2021	68	85	12	241	3	1	23	0	433
2022	67	70	17	241	3	0	22	5	425
2023	58	65	17	234	4	0	27	3	408

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 Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	513	n/a	n/a	40.4
1989	514	n/a	n/a	33.7
1990	520	n/a	n/a	29.8
1991	519	28.4	18.2	28.7
1992	617	32.0	19.2	42
1993	607	30.6	19.8	42.7
1994	595	31.0	19.2	42.4
1995	577	34.2	16.9	45.8
1996	577	34.2	16.9	45.8
1997	574	34.1	16.8	47.2
1998	573	32.8	17.5	48.2
1999	565	35.0	16.1	51.9
2000	550	32.1	17.1	52.9
2001	547	32.1	17.0	53.6
2002	547	n/a	n/a	64
2003	547	n/a	n/a	64
2004	540	37.0	14.6	69.8
2005	520	38.0	13.7	54.6
2006	504	33.0	15.3	66.9
2007	500	32.9	15.2	64.6
2008	501	25.0	20.0	68.5
2009	516	28.9	14.4	70.5
2010	510	26.9	18.9	72.7
2011	504	27.1	18.5	74.2
2012	529	28.0	18.8	74.7
2013	511	26.0	19.6	76.7
2014	509	27.0	18.8	74.7
2015	480	25.0	19.2	71.9
2016	470	25.0	18.8	70.2
2017	481	27.4	17.5	72.3
2018	467	23.7	19.7	74.3
2019	475	25.7	18.4	75.8
2020	479	24.9	19.2	81.4
2021	433	26.4	16.4	80.4
2022	425	22.9	18.5	76.5
2023	408	23.9	17.0	73

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 Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	513	n/a	n/a	40.4
1989	514	n/a	n/a	33.7
1990	520	n/a	n/a	29.8
1991	519	28.4	18.2	28.7
1992	617	32.0	19.2	42
1993	607	30.6	19.8	42.7
1994	595	31.0	19.2	42.4
1995	577	34.2	16.9	45.8
1996	577	34.2	16.9	45.8
1997	574	34.1	16.8	47.2
1998	573	32.8	17.5	48.2
1999	565	35.0	16.1	51.9
2000	550	32.1	17.1	52.9
2001	547	32.1	17.0	53.6
2002	547	n/a	n/a	64
2003	547	n/a	n/a	64
2004	540	37.0	14.6	69.8
2005	520	38.0	13.7	54.6
2006	504	33.0	15.3	66.9
2007	500	32.9	15.2	64.6
2008	501	25.0	20.0	68.5
2009	516	28.9	14.4	70.5
2010	510	26.9	18.9	72.7
2011	504	27.1	18.5	74.2
2012	529	28.0	18.8	74.7
2013	511	26.0	19.6	76.7
2014	509	27.0	18.8	74.7
2015	480	25.0	19.2	71.9
2016	470	25.0	18.8	70.2
2017	481	27.4	17.5	72.3
2018	467	23.7	19.7	74.3
2019	475	25.7	18.4	75.8
2020	479	24.9	19.2	81.4
2021	433	26.4	16.4	80.4
2022	425	22.9	18.5	76.5
2023	408	23.9	17.0	73

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 Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,265 (10.0%)	$11,425 (90.0%)	$12,690
2019	$1,548 (12.3%)	$11,046 (87.7%)	$12,594
2020	$1,990 (15.8%)	$10,588 (84.2%)	$12,579
2021	$2,582 (17.2%)	$12,416 (82.8%)	$14,997

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Robert F. Kennedy 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 105^th of 169 Elementary schools	Ranks 112^th of 167 Elementary schools	4.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	50	23.5	26.5%
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 (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	40.3	25	15.3%
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 (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	32.4	23.9	8.5%
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 (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	33.3	28.8	4.5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Providence)	14.1	19.1	5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	32.6	36	3.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	31.8	35	3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Providence)	19.9	17	2.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	39.1	35.1	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	24.6	27.4	2.8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Providence)	12.9	14.8	1.9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	30.1	30	0.1%
All Grades English Language Arts (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	38.4	27.1	11.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (Providence)	17.2	15.1	2.1%
All Grades Mathematics (Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School)	33	27.1	5.9%
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	475	408	14.1%
African American	92	65	29.3%
American Indian	2	4	100%
Asian	15	17	13.3%
Hispanic	241	234	2.9%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	82	58	29.3%
Two or More Races	42	27	35.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	75.8%	73%	2.8%

Schools Near Robert F. Kennedy 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
Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School	Public	K-5	195 Nelson Street	Providence	02908	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9403	408	24	17.0	73.0%	58 (14.2%)	65 (15.9%)	234 (57.4%)	17 (4.2%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.6%)	41.7	87^th of 166 public elementary schools	47.6%		31.4	112^th of 167 public elementary schools	32.9%	25	25.0	34.2	21.6	24.6	26.9	36.5	46.8	29.7	38.2	$14,997	$2,582	$12,416
Veazie Street School	Public	PK, KG-5	211 Veazie Street	Providence	02904	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 453-8601	469	27	17.3	84.6%	37 (7.9%)	100 (21.3%)	285 (60.8%)	9 (1.9%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.0%)	23	131^st of 166 public elementary schools	21.1%		15.4	145^th of 167 public elementary schools	13.2%	14	9.6	36.4	9.3	7.3	16.2	53.8	18.0	14.5	26.6	$14,056	$1,875	$12,181
George J. West Elementary School	Public	K-5	145 Beaufort Street	Providence	02908	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9337	601	35	17.0	83.9%	38 (6.3%)	104 (17.3%)	400 (66.6%)	10 (1.7%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (6.0%)	18.2	139^th of 166 public elementary schools	16.3%		17.3	140^th of 167 public elementary schools	16.2%	1	17.7	18.8	14.9	15.1	16.1	32.2	20.0	10.5	19.9	$14,049	$2,339	$11,709
Harry Kizirian Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	60 Camden Avenue	Providence	02908	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9369	539	32	17.1	82.0%	49 (9.1%)	94 (17.4%)	316 (58.6%)	29 (5.4%)	6 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	41 (7.6%)	8.5	162^nd of 166 public elementary schools	2.4%		9.3	159^th of 167 public elementary schools	4.8%	3	6.3	18.3	13.3	6.4	12.8	8.0	8.3		6.5	$14,029	$2,012	$12,017
Pleasant View School	Public	PK, KG-5	110 Paul Street	Providence	02904	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9325	418	34	12.3	72.5%	44 (10.5%)	59 (14.1%)	255 (61.0%)	15 (3.6%)	6 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (7.4%)	18.4	138^th of 166 public elementary schools	16.9%		14.8	147^th of 167 public elementary schools	12.0%	9	19.1	13.0	22.2	17.0	17.4	15.2	20.9	17.0	17.6	$26,648	$2,852	$23,796
Times2 Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	50 Fillmore Street	Providence	02908	Providence County	Providence	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 272-5094	315	26	12.0	78.1%	22 (7.0%)	76 (24.1%)	197 (62.5%)	8 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.2%)	28.5	116^th of 166 public elementary schools	30.1%		32.8	107^th of 167 public elementary schools	35.9%	9	31.5	27.8	17.0	14.8	19.9	31.5	24.5	24.1	26.7	$13,370		$13,370
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
Stephen Olney School	Public	K-5	1378 Douglas Avenue	North Providence	02904	Providence County	North Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 233-1160	386	29	13.2	32.9%	204 (52.8%)	43 (11.1%)	102 (26.4%)	21 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	15 (3.9%)	31.4	107^th of 166 public elementary schools	35.5%		31.9	110^th of 167 public elementary schools	34.1%	3	26.7	36.5	29.5	13.5	26.3	33.3	29.0	12.0	24.5	$14,731	$948	$13,783
James L. McGuire School	Public	K-5	55 Central Avenue	North Providence	02911	Providence County	North Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 233-1135	388	23	17.0	41.8%	168 (43.3%)	58 (14.9%)	120 (30.9%)	13 (3.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.0%)	26.9	121^st of 166 public elementary schools	27.1%		35.5	100^th of 167 public elementary schools	40.1%	21	20.4	27.9	33.8	12.2	25.8	14.5	27.9	16.3	20.1	$14,357	$581	$13,776
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Students who attend Robert F. Kennedy 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 Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 408 students attended Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School.

Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Providence:

Average Parent Rating:

What do you think?

Rank History for Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Student/Teacher Ratio Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Impact of COVID-19 on Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School