Do NK Schools Make the Grade?

Three North Kingstown schools received high marks while another is on the warning list after the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) released new classifications for schools across the state.

joined only 25 other schools in the state in the highest classification of “commended.” These top-tier schools (only nine percent of classified schools) are recognized because of either high performance or significant progress. Chariho Regional District led the pack with four schools classified in the commended category, followed by Barrington, Cranston, East Greenwich and Scituate with two each. 

and landing “leading” scores, along with is the only North Kingstown school classified in the “warning” classification. No North Kingstown school received RIDE’s two lowest classifications – “focus” and “priority.” Schools newly placed in those two categories will undergo intervention and diagnostic screening to determine their needs.

The classifications are the first set of such ranking under the new Rhode Island Accountability System, designed to recognized outstanding performance and to provide support to low-achieving schools. The classifications are based on proficiency, distinction, participation, gap-closing (i.e. how schools serve all students, including those with disabilities and English learners), progress, growth, improvement year to year and graduation rates. Using these measures, RIDE places each school into one of six categories – commended, leading, typical, warning, focus or priority.

The remainder of North Kingstown’s schools (, , and ) all received a “typical” classification.