The Best Private Schools in Narragansett, Rhode Island
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Narragansett. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Portsmouth Abbey School
Benedictine Independent School
Portsmouth Abbey School is a prestigious coeducational Catholic boarding and day school located approximately 30 minutes from Narragansett. The school combines rigorous college preparatory academics with Benedictine values and offers a comprehensive curriculum including 17 AP courses. The 500-acre campus features state-of-the-art academic buildings, athletic facilities, and arts centers. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school emphasizes intellectual growth, spiritual development, and community engagement, consistently ranking among New England's top private schools.
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The Prout School
Catholic Independent School
The Prout School is a Catholic, coeducational college preparatory school serving Southern Rhode Island. Located just 10 minutes from Narragansett, it offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, Prout emphasizes personalized education and character development while maintaining strong college placement records.
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Moses Brown School
Quaker Independent School
Moses Brown School is one of New England's oldest and most respected independent schools, located approximately 40 minutes from Narragansett in Providence. This Quaker-founded institution offers a progressive education emphasizing inquiry-based learning, ethical leadership, and community service. The school features extensive facilities including modern science centers, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced STEM programs, extensive arts offerings, and global education opportunities, Moses Brown prepares students for top colleges while fostering social responsibility and intellectual curiosity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Narragansett, Rhode Island
What are the primary private school options for families residing in Narragansett, RI, and what are their key characteristics?
While Narragansett itself has limited private schools within its immediate town borders, families typically look to nearby institutions in South County and greater Rhode Island. The most prominent options include The Prout School (Wakefield, approx. 6 miles away), a Catholic, co-ed college preparatory school; Portsmouth Abbey School (Portsmouth, approx. 20 miles away), a prestigious co-ed Catholic Benedictine boarding and day school with a rigorous liberal arts curriculum; and Moses Brown School (Providence, approx. 30 miles away), a Quaker, co-ed college preparatory day school known for its strong academics and character education. Transportation to these schools is a key consideration for Narragansett families.
How does the tuition for private schools near Narragansett, RI, compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition in the Narragansett area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition ranges from approximately $20,000 at The Prout School to over $50,000 at Portsmouth Abbey School and Moses Brown School. Rhode Island offers the Rhode Island School Choice Tax Credit, which allows corporations to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations, increasing need-based financial aid availability. All three major schools have substantial endowment-funded financial aid programs. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as deadlines often precede admission decisions. Additionally, some Narragansett families utilize 529 plans for K-12 private school expenses.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Narragansett offer that leverage the local coastal environment?
Schools in the Narragansett area often integrate the unique marine and coastal setting into their curricula. The Prout School, for instance, has a strong Marine Science program that can utilize the nearby University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography and Narragansett Bay for research and field studies. Portsmouth Abbey School's waterfront location on Mount Hope Bay supports environmental science and sailing programs. While Moses Brown is in Providence, its extensive science programs often partner with institutions like the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University, offering unique opportunities that complement a Narragansett student's coastal upbringing. Many schools also participate in local environmental stewardship projects.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools serving Narragansett, RI, families?
The timeline is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Portsmouth Abbey and Moses Brown, the process for entry in Fall typically starts 12-18 months in advance. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in the fall), submitting applications by January deadlines, completing standardized testing (SSAT or ISEE) by winter, and having student interviews and visits by February. Admission decisions are usually released in March. For The Prout School, the process is similar but may have slightly more flexible deadlines. Given the commute from Narragansett, a shadow day (where the student spends a full day at the school) is highly recommended to assess the logistics and fit.
For a Narragansett family, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school system and a private school further away?
The decision involves weighing several location-specific factors. Narragansett's public schools are well-regarded, offering the convenience of proximity and no tuition. Choosing a private school like Prout, Portsmouth Abbey, or Moses Brown adds a significant daily commute (20-60 minutes each way), which impacts family schedules and student extracurricular time. However, private schools offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious or philosophical educations (Catholic, Benedictine, Quaker), and often more extensive advanced placement or international baccalaureate options. Many Narragansett families choose private schools for a consistent college-preparatory curriculum from middle through high school, which can differ from the regional public school structure that may involve a transition to a larger, regional high school.
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