RI's Best Middle Schools Ranked In New Analysis

RHODE ISLAND — Barrington Middle School is the best public middle 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 middle schools on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education. The researchers analyzed 59,128 middle schools for the report.

The top 10 public middle schools in Rhode Island are:

1. Barrington Middle School, Barrington
2. Wickford Middle School, North Kingstown
3. Archie R. Cole Middle School, East Greenwich
4. North Cumberland Middle School, Cumberland
5. Jamestown School-Lawn, Jamestown
6. North Smithfield Middle School, North Smithfield
7. Narragansett Pier School, Narragansett
8. Exeter-West Greenwich Regional Junior High School, Exeter-West Greenwich
9. Portsmouth Middle School, Portsmouth
10. Lincoln Middle School, Lincoln.

Go here to see the full list of best Rhode Island middle schools.

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

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 give parents a snapshot of how well schools provide a high-quality education and prepare students for a successful future, LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said in a news release.

Have a news tip? Email jimmy.bentley@patch.com.