Portsmouth Abbey School Photo

Best Portsmouth Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 5 private schools serving 1,069 students in Portsmouth, RI (there are 4 public schools, serving 2,114 public students). 34% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth, RI are educated in private schools (compared to the RI state average of 14%).
The top-ranked private schools in Portsmouth, RI include Portsmouth Abbey School, St Philomena School of the Sacred Heart, and The Pennfield School.
The average acceptance rate is 61%, which is lower than the Rhode Island private school average acceptance rate of 76%.
40% of private schools in Portsmouth, RI are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).

Top-Ranked Portsmouth Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
The Pennfield School
The Pennfield School Photo - The Pennfield School
(1)
110 Sandy Point Ave Litle Slocum Farm
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 849-4646
Gr: NS-8 | 197 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Portsmouth Abbey School
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo
(Catholic)
285 Corys Ln
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 643-1248
Gr: 9-12 | 337 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St Philomena School of the Sacred Heart
(Catholic)
(3)
324 Cory's Lane
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-0268
Gr: NS-8 | 452 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
Beginnings-the Children's School
Montessori School
1985 East Main Road
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-5850
Gr: K | 5 students Tuition listed
The Bradley School
Special Education School
2820 E Main Rd
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 606-8300
Gr: 1-12 | 78 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Portsmouth, Rhode Island Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
324 E Main Road- St.marys Church
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(617) 697-6563
Gr: PK-3 | 35 students

Overview

This Town (Portsmouth)
This State (RI)
# Schools
5 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
1,069 Students
22,446 Students
% Average Students of Color
11%
28%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
117 Teachers
2,242 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
73%
56%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
16 courses
15 courses
Average SAT score
1400
(Out of 1600)
1310

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$38,126
$22,224
Average Summer Program Cost
$350
$472
Average % on Financial Aid
33%
43%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$14,750
$9,460
Average Acceptance Rate
61%
76%
Average Endowment Size
$45 million
$48.61 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.38
0.61
# American Indian Students
1 Student
41 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
64 Students
631 Students
% Asian Students
6%
3%
# Hispanic Students
31 Students
1,762 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
8%
# Black Students
23 Students
1,340 Students
% Black Students
2%
6%
# White Students
842 Students
12,205 Students
% White Students
78%
56%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
19 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
123 Students
5,959 Students
% of Others Students
11%
27%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
12 extracurriculars
13 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
10 sports
8 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Portsmouth, RI?
The top-ranked private schools in Portsmouth, RI include Portsmouth Abbey School, St Philomena School of the Sacred Heart, and The Pennfield School.
How many private schools are located in Portsmouth?
5 private schools are located in Portsmouth.
How diverse are private schools in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth private schools are approximately 11% minority students, which is lower than the Rhode Island private school average of 28%.
What percentage of students in Portsmouth go to private school?
34% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth are educated in private schools (compared to the RI state average of 14%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Portsmouth?
40% of private schools in Portsmouth are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).
Which private schools in Portsmouth are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Portsmouth include: St Philomena School of the Sacred Heart vs. The Pennfield School

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