Portsmouth Abbey School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

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

School Rankings

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

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Other school association(s)
Not Available (School did not report any membership associatons).

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Portsmouth Abbey School
9	74
10	76
11	99
12	88

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Year Founded

1926

Colors

Black, Red

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

525 acres

Student Body

Total Students

337 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

24%

State avg.: 28%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

50 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

80%

Average Class Size

12 students

Number of AP Courses

16 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Average SAT score

1400

(Out of 1600)

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 31

Yearly Tuition Cost

$69,570

View national tuition avg.

% on Financial Aid

37%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$37,500

Acceptance Rate

31%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Brendan McGrail

Admissions Associate

Allie Skelley

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$45 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

18 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

Cross CountryDance

EquestrianField Hockey

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWrestling

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Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

22 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Abbey SingersAmnesty International

Chess ClubChristian Community Service

Cultural Awareness at Portsmouth (CAAP)Debate Club

Future Problem SolversHumanities Forum

Jazz BandModel United Nations

New England Math LeaguePeer Tutors

Radio StationRed Key

Social CommitteeStudent Athletic Advisory Board

Student CouncilThe Beacon

The GregorianThe Raven

Tuck ShopWJHD

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School Notes

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.

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

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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 76%. 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?

Portsmouth Abbey School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Rhode Island for: Highest average SAT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School?

The application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School is Jan. 31.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Rhode Island is $20,792 for elementary schools and $34,213 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Rhode Island is 76% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).