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Best private high schools in Rhode Island

Written by:
April 10, 2024
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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.

A hallway lined with green lockers.
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#19. Middlebridge School

- Location: Narragansett, RI
- Enrollment: 75 (1:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B

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#18. Trinity Christian Academy

- Location: Johnston, RI
- Enrollment: 76 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B

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#17. St. Patrick Academy

- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 85 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A pencil case full of pens, pencils, and highlighters spilling on a table.
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#16. School One

- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 90 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+

A group of students walking down the hall with their backs facing the camera.
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#15. The Prout School

- Location: Wakefield, RI
- Enrollment: 400 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. Mount Saint Charles Academy

- Location: Woonsocket, RI
- Enrollment: 576 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

Students using microscopes in science class.
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#13. Saint Raphael Academy

- Location: Pawtucket, RI
- Enrollment: 446 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. Barrington Christian Academy

- Location: Barrington, RI
- Enrollment: 160 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students raising their hands for class participation.
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#11. La Salle Academy

- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 1,511 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A stack of textbooks with pens on top of them next to an open notebook.
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#10. St. Mary Academy - Bay View

- Location: Riverside, RI
- Enrollment: 439 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. Bishop Hendricken High School

- Location: Warwick, RI
- Enrollment: 657 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student doing classwork on their laptop.
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#8. St. Andrew's School

- Location: Barrington, RI
- Enrollment: 221 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#7. Rocky Hill Country Day School

- Location: East Greenwich, RI
- Enrollment: 270 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. Providence Country Day School

- Location: East Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 362 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. Moses Brown School

- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 774 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. Lincoln School

- Location: Providence, RI
- Enrollment: 342 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#3. Portsmouth Abbey School

- Location: Portsmouth, RI
- Enrollment: 350 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. St. George's School

- Location: Middletown, RI
- Enrollment: 376 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A closeup of a student taking notes in class.
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#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.

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