Narragansett School System

Harvard Study Data Reflects Narragansett School System’s Academic Growth

Posted on 03/17/2025

A recent Harvard study analyzing student performance across the country reflects the Narragansett School System’s strong academic progress and resilience in student achievement. The data positions Narragansett as a district demonstrating significant academic recovery and growth.  Narragansett students in grades 3-8 have demonstrated steady and substantial improvement in both math and reading since 2019, outperforming state and peer district averages.

Math Performance: According to the study, Narragansett students have exhibited a total improvement of + 0.59 grade levels in math above 2019 performance levels.

This consistent upward trend sets Narragansett apart from other Rhode Island districts, where overall math scores declined by -0.33 grade levels since 2019.  Additionally, Narragansett ranked #1 in math achievement growth among all Rhode Island districts, reinforcing its position as a top-performing school system in the state.

Reading Performance: Narragansett’s reading scores have also shown significant growth, with a net gain of + 0.43 grade levels above 2019 performance levels.

Narragansett has outperformed the statewide trend, where Rhode Island’s reading scores declined by -0.35 grade levels since 2019.

Narragansett’s success is driven by dedicated educators, strong leadership, and a shared commitment to academic excellence. “We are incredibly proud of our district for its hard work and resilience over the past five years,” said Superintendent Dr. Peter Cummings. “This study confirms that our efforts to support student learning and growth are making a meaningful impact.”

As schools nationwide continue to recover from pandemic-related disruptions, Narragansett’s ability to not only regain lost learning but exceed pre-pandemic performance showcases the power of innovation and a steadfast focus on student success.

To view the full Harvard Report, CLICK HERE