RI's Best Elementary Schools Ranked In New Analysis

BARRINGTON, RI — Nayatt Elementary School in Barrington is the best public elementary school in Rhode Island, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News researchers based the 2025 ranking of the nation’s best public elementary schools on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education. Elementary schools are considered K-6 in the analysis.

Also read: RI's Best Middle Schools Ranked In New Analysis.

The top 10 public elementary schools in Rhode Island are:

1. Nayatt School, Barrington
2. Community Elementary School, Cumberland
3. Melrose Avenue School, Jamestown
4. Clayville Elementary School, Scituate
5. Sowams Elementary School, Barrington
6. Lincoln Central Elementary School, Lincoln
7. Raymond Laperche School, Smithfield
8. Forest Park Elementary School, North Kingstown
9. Primrose Hill School, Barrington
10. Hamilton Elementary School.

The methodology for the rankings focused on state assessments of students who were proficient or above proficient in math and reading/language arts, while also accounting for students’ background and their achievements in core subjects. Student-teacher ratios were applied to break ties.

The rankings are intended as an evaluation tool to inform parents on how well schools are doing at providing high-equality education and providing students for a successful future, LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said in a news release.

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