Report: Newport Schools Show Improvement, Still Struggle

Almost half of Newport high school students struggle to demonstrate proficiency in math and reading, according to a new report released by the Rhode Island research and advocacy group RI-CAN.

The analysis used New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) data for third through eighth and 11th grade, and four-year graduation rates for high schools. Data was provided by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Newport students are not alone. By eighth grade, 42 percent of Rhode Island students do not test proficient in math and 22 percent are not proficient readers, according to RI-CAN.  A greater 60 percent of black and Latino eighth-graders are not proficient in math and about 40 percent are not proficient readers.

Newport Schools Demographics

Out of the 2102 students enrolled in Newport schools, 58 percent of the students are considered low income and 53 percent are minorities, according to the report.  

In middle school, 70 percent Newport students test proficient or above, but the number drops to 54 percent in high school. A significant achievement gap was measured among Newport high school students; 40 percent of black students tested proficient or above, compared with 63 percent of white students.

The Good News

Thompson Middle School students moved up 11 percentage points this year, which RI-CAN ranked the second highest middle school improvement in the state.

For high school students, Newport's 81 percent graduation rate is higher than the state average of 77 percent, according to RI-CAN.  Additionally, low income Newport high school students tested at 48 percent proficient in math and reading, which RI-CAN ranked as the sixth highest in the state when compared with other schools that have a student body that is made up of at least 44 percent low income students.   

What Needs Improvement 

Newport elementary school students tested at 54 percent proficient, which RI-CAN ranked as one of the lowest in the state, only above Providence and Central Falls. For low-income, black and Latino students, the number drops to 35 percent.

Newport elementary schools were in the following positions among the 185 measured:  William J. Underwood School  (89), Coggeshall School (120), Cranston - Calvert School (136) and Dr. M. H. Sullivan School (172).

Aquidneck Island District Comparisons

High Schools

General Performance
% Proficient (Rank)

Low Income Students

% Proficient (Rank)

Graduation

% Proficient (Rank)

Newport

54% (27)

47% (22)

81% (23)

Middletown

69% (13 )

49% (18)

72% (30)

Portsmouth

72% (7)

61% (2)

89% (8)

Total Districts Ranked

39

37

35

Middle School

General Performance
% Proficient (Rank)

Low Income Students

% Proficient (Rank)

Newport

70% (29)

64% (15)

Middletown

77% (21 )

62% (20)

Portsmouth

84% (11)

54% (27)

Total Districts Ranked

42

37

Elementary Schools 

General Performance
% Proficient (Rank)

Low Income Students

% Proficient (Rank)

Newport

54% (40)

41% (34)

Middletown

69% (30)

52% (30)

Portsmouth

84% (10)

73% (3)

Total Districts Ranked

42

36