Best private high schools in Rhode Island
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Rhode Island using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#19. Middlebridge School
- Location: Narragansett, RI
- Enrollment: 75 (1:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#18. Trinity Christian Academy
- Location: Johnston, RI
- Enrollment: 76 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#17. St. Patrick Academy
- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 85 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#16. School One
- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 90 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#15. The Prout School
- Location: Wakefield, RI
- Enrollment: 400 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#14. Mount Saint Charles Academy
- Location: Woonsocket, RI
- Enrollment: 576 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#13. Saint Raphael Academy
- Location: Pawtucket, RI
- Enrollment: 446 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#12. Barrington Christian Academy
- Location: Barrington, RI
- Enrollment: 160 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#11. La Salle Academy
- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 1,511 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#10. St. Mary Academy - Bay View
- Location: Riverside, RI
- Enrollment: 439 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#9. Bishop Hendricken High School
- Location: Warwick, RI
- Enrollment: 657 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#8. St. Andrew's School
- Location: Barrington, RI
- Enrollment: 221 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#7. Rocky Hill Country Day School
- Location: East Greenwich, RI
- Enrollment: 270 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. Providence Country Day School
- Location: East Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 362 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#5. Moses Brown School
- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 774 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Lincoln School
- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 342 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Portsmouth Abbey School
- Location: Portsmouth, RI
- Enrollment: 350 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. St. George's School
- Location: Middletown, RI
- Enrollment: 376 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. The Wheeler School
- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 807 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.