Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #5

Portsmouth Abbey School

Portsmouth Abbey School is a Catholic, co-educational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12.
The school is located on a beautiful 525-acre campus along Narragansett Bay, just a few miles from Newport, RI. For over 90 years, the Abbey`s liberal arts curriculum has prepared students for lives of significance and purpose.
This education is grounded in the Western intellectual tradition and teaches students to solve problems, communicate ideas, work together, and innovate.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Top Ranked RI School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 337 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $69,570
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Portsmouth Abbey School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Rhode Island for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Year Founded
1926
Colors
Black, Red
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025
Last Day of School
Wed. Jun 10, 2026
Campus Size
525

Student Body

Total Students
337 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
24%
State avg.: 28%
Students by Grade
Portsmouth Abbey School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
50 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
80%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
16 courses
List of Courses Offered
Average SAT score
1400
(Out of 1600)
Classroom Dress Code
Formal

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 31
Yearly Tuition Cost
% on Financial Aid
37%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$37,500
Acceptance Rate
31%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Brendan McGrail
Admissions Associate
Allie Skelley
Application URL
Endowment Size
$45 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
22 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Abbey Singers, Amnesty International, Chess Club, Christian Community Service, Cultural Awareness at Portsmouth (CAAP), Debate Club, Future Problem Solvers, Humanities Forum, Jazz Band, Model United Nations, New England Math League, Peer Tutors, Radio Station, Red Key, Social Committee, Student Athletic Advisory Board, Student Council, The Beacon, The Gregorian, The Raven, Tuck Shop, WJHD

School Notes

  • School Motto: Helping Students Grow in Knowledge & Grace
  • School Mascot: Ravens
  • The aim of Portsmouth Abbey School is to help young men and women grow in knowledge and grace. Grounded in the Catholic faith and 1500-year-old Benedictine intellectual tradition, the School fosters:
  • Part of our mission is to live in a community that values each of its members, and our similarities and differences. This mission enables our students to better understand themselves and the world around them. Our students thrive in this environment and take full advantage of the spiritual, athletic, artistic, and service opportunities that exist on our campus and beyond. Our sense of community is strong, vibrant, and easy to feel, although sometimes challenging to put into words.
  • We celebrate our achievements, and we offer help to those in need in an effort to make this a more gracious community. We invite you to learn more about Portsmouth Abbey School in the following pages and our website, but most importantly please come and see it for yourself.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Christopher Buckley - writer and political satirist; former Managing Editor of Esquire Magazine; chief speech writer for Vice President George H. W. Bush; author of Thank You for Smoking
    • John E. Pepper, Jr. - Chairman of the Walt Disney Company
    • Robert F. Kennedy - U.S. Senator from New York; U.S. Attorney General
    • Edward M. Kennedy - U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
    • Peter M. Flanigan - Assistant to President Richard Nixon
    • Benedict Fitzgerald - American screenwriter - In Cold Blood, Wise Blood; co-wrote Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin screenplay for The Passion of the Christ
    • Charlie Day - actor, writer, executive producter - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
    • William Ruckelshaus - first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; former FBI director and U.S. Deputy Attorney General
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Portsmouth Abbey School cost?
Portsmouth Abbey School's tuition is approximately $69,570 for private students.
What schools are Portsmouth Abbey School often compared to?
Portsmouth Abbey School is often viewed alongside schools like St. George's School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Portsmouth Abbey School?
The acceptance rate of Portsmouth Abbey School is 31%, which is lower than the national average of 77%. Portsmouth Abbey School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Rhode Island with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Portsmouth Abbey School?
Portsmouth Abbey School famous alumni include: Christopher Buckley, John E. Pepper, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, Peter M. Flanigan, Benedict Fitzgerald, Charlie Day and William Ruckelshaus.
Does Portsmouth Abbey School offer a summer program?
Yes, Portsmouth Abbey School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Portsmouth Abbey School offer?
Portsmouth Abbey School offers 18 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. Portsmouth Abbey School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Rhode Island for most sports offered.
What is Portsmouth Abbey School's ranking?
When is the application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School?
The application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School is Jan. 31.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Top Ranked RI School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 337 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $69,570
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Rhode Island is $19,055 for elementary schools and $34,245 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Rhode Island is 77% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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