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B.F. Norton Elementary School

Q: Is B.F. Norton Elementary School a good school?

B.F. Norton Elementary School ranks 76 th of 166 Rhode Island elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

76^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 166 Rhode Island Elementary Schools

Better than 54% of Rhode Island elementary schools

Summary

B.F. Norton Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cumberland, Rhode Island, serving 372 students in grades K-5 and part of the Cumberland School District.

Despite the school's higher per-student spending of $16,387 and slightly lower student-teacher ratio of 13.2, B.F. Norton Elementary has consistently underperformed compared to the district and state averages in academic proficiency. The school's 2024-2025 proficiency rates were 31.9% in English Language Arts and 37.6% in Math, significantly lower than the Cumberland district averages of 55.3% and 57.5%, respectively. When compared to nearby schools like Garvin Memorial and Saylesville Elementary, B.F. Norton performs significantly worse, ranking between 56-84 out of 166-169 Rhode Island elementary schools over the past 10 years.

The school's higher percentage of students from low-income backgrounds (42.2% receiving free or reduced-price lunch) and English Language Learners may be contributing factors to its lower academic performance. Despite the additional resources, B.F. Norton Elementary has not been able to achieve the same level of success as some of the higher-ranked schools in the area, suggesting that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution to improving student outcomes. Examining the practices and strategies employed by the more successful nearby schools could provide valuable insights for enhancing the academic performance and overall success of B.F. Norton Elementary.

374

Students ?

12.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,564

Per pupil spending ?

52.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

364 Broad Street
Cumberland, RI 02864

(401) 722-7610

District: Cumberland

Students who attend B.F. Norton Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Joseph L. McCourt Middle School
High:	Cumberland High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

55.6%

Hispanic:

26.2%

African American:

8.0%

See top rated Rhode Island elementary schools

Compare B.F. Norton Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 50th percentile in 2015 → 54th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Rhode Island median (54th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Near the bottom of Cumberland's ranking

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school35%

District avg55%

76^th of 166

Rhode Island public elementary schools ?

Top 46%▲ up 5 pts since 2015

From top 50% (2015) to top 46% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Rhode Island Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 5Elementary Schools in the Cumberland

13^th of 60Cumberland among Rhode Island districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Rhode Island percentile	Rating
2025	49.6	76 of 166	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.9	84 of 166	49.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.1	57 of 167	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.4	56 of 166	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	41.4	84 of 166	49.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.5	63 of 169	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	40.4	100 of 169	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	47.0	95 of 168	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	49.9	90 of 170	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	51.8	85 of 169	49.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	34.5	116 of 159	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	32.6	125 of 165	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	36.3	121 of 165	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	26.8	130 of 165	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	19.5	134 of 169	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	12.2	142 of 169	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Rhode Island percentile	Rating
2025	49.3	25 of 58	56.9%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Rhode Island percentile	Rating
2025	50.6	68 of 164	58.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Rhode Island percentile	Rating
2025	41.9	67 of 111	39.6%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Rhode Island percentile	Rating
2025	52.9	61 of 158	61.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Rhode Island percentile	Rating
2025	46.5	82 of 166	50.6%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Rhode Island percentile	Rating
2025	47.2	69 of 129	46.5%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)61st percentile+7 vs school

Female (2025)59th percentile+4 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)57th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2025)51st percentile-4 vs school

White (2025)47th percentile-8 vs school

Hispanic (2025)40th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs Rhode Island (2024-2025) ?

Science38%

Mathematics38%

English Language Arts32%

★

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Schools Near B.F. Norton Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				NGSA Science (2025)	RICAS English Language Arts (2025)							RICAS Mathematics (2025)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NGSA Science All Grades	RICAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts All Grades	RICAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	RICAS Mathematics 4th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 5th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 6th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 7th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 8th Grade	RICAS Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
B.F. Norton Elementary School	Public	K-5	364 Broad Street	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 722-7610	374	31	12.0	52.9%	208 (55.6%)	30 (8.0%)	98 (26.2%)	16 (4.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.3%)	49.6	76^th of 166 public elementary schools	54.2%		46.9	84^th of 166 public elementary schools	49.4%	8	38.3	36.8	27.0	32.6				31.9	43.1	29.2	42.6				37.6	$14,564	$1,186	$13,378
Blackstone Valley Prep	Public, Charter	K-4	291 Broad Street	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 335-3133	422	36	11.7	84.6%	241 (57.1%)	166 (39.3%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48.7	80^th of 166 public elementary schools	51.8%		23.2	129^th of 166 public elementary schools	22.3%	49		38.3	33.3					35.8	32.1	43.6					37.7	$14,788	$1,707	$13,081
Blackstone Valley Prep E. 2	Public, Charter	K-4	52 Broad St.	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 305-6860	426	31	13.7	79.6%	238 (55.9%)	147 (34.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.9%)	5 (1.2%)	11 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	42.3	90^th of 166 public elementary schools	45.8%		26.1	122^nd of 166 public elementary schools	26.5%	32		26.5	36.6					31.5	36.1	35.4					35.8	$13,282	$1,587	$11,695
Raices Dual Language Academy	Public	K-5	135 Hunt street	Central Falls	02863	Providence County	Central Falls	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 727-7733	206	17	12.1	96.6%	20 (9.7%)	14 (6.8%)	151 (73.3%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	15.2	149^th of 166 public elementary schools	10.2%		16.6	143^rd of 166 public elementary schools	13.9%	6	16.1	6.7	17.9	9.7				11.2	19.4	22.2	19.4				20.2	$19,531	$11,584	$7,946
Lonsdale Elementary	Public	K-5	270 River Road	Lincoln	02865	Providence County	Lincoln	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 725-4200	286	18	15.8	33.6%	199 (69.6%)	22 (7.7%)	34 (11.9%)	15 (5.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.2%)	58.9	61^st of 166 public elementary schools	63.3%		52.9	69^th of 166 public elementary schools	58.4%	8	40.0	47.8	40.0	34.5				40.4	58.3	29.1	29.1				38.0	$14,752	$67	$14,685
The Learning Community	Public, Charter	K-8	21 Lincoln Avenue	Central Falls	02863	Providence County	Learning Community	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 722-9998	569	46	12.3	89.6%	23 (4.0%)	80 (14.1%)	459 (80.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.9%)	30.6	115^th of 166 public elementary schools	30.7%		30	113^th of 166 public elementary schools	31.9%	2	22.7	23.1	22.7	26.2	30.8	20.3	29.3	25.3	13.8	34.8	23.0	26.2	12.5	13.8	20.8	$19,548	$2,494	$17,054
Ella Risk School	Public	K-5	949 Dexter Street	Central Falls	02863	Providence County	Central Falls	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 727-7730	414	37	11.1	90.1%	85 (20.5%)	59 (14.3%)	200 (48.3%)	5 (1.2%)	31 (7.5%)	1 (0.2%)	26 (6.3%)	13.2	152^nd of 166 public elementary schools	8.4%		8.3	163^rd of 166 public elementary schools	1.8%	11		15.8	18.3					11.2	23.0	17.6	5.1				14.5	$23,537	$6,560	$16,977
Veterans Memorial Elementary	Public	K-5	150 Fuller Avenue	Central Falls	02863	Providence County	Central Falls	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 727-7740	406	32	12.6	94.3%	81 (20.0%)	61 (15.0%)	199 (49.0%)	1 (0.2%)	40 (9.9%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.4%)	8.3	164^th of 166 public elementary schools	1.2%		9.9	158^th of 166 public elementary schools	4.8%	6	9.5		6.3	6.9				5.4			11.1				6.6	$20,291	$5,097	$15,195
Garvin Memorial	Public	K-5	1364 Diamond Hill Road	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 333-2557	422	33	12.7	23.9%	301 (71.3%)	10 (2.4%)	67 (15.9%)	27 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.0%)	71.7	47^th of 166 public elementary schools	71.7%		78.2	37^th of 166 public elementary schools	77.7%	10	30.9	49.3	35.8	44.9				43.5	62.0	52.9	48.5				54.6	$14,838	$1,923	$12,915
Segue Inst for Learning	Public, Charter	K-8	325 Cowden Street	Central Falls	02863	Providence County	Segue Institute for Learning	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 721-0964	359	27	13.2	92.8%	15 (4.2%)	12 (3.3%)	332 (92.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16.8	145^th of 166 public elementary schools	12.7%		15.2	150^th of 166 public elementary schools	9.6%	5	9.2		12.8	13.2	25.0	26.8	21.1	17.4		17.9	7.9	25.0	19.5	5.3	12.7	$17,536	$3,642	$13,893

Frequently Asked Questions about B.F. Norton Elementary School

Is B.F. Norton Elementary School a good school?

B.F. Norton Elementary School ranks 76^th of 166 Rhode Island elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is B.F. Norton Elementary School in?

Cumberland

What schools do graduates of B.F. Norton Elementary School attend?

Students who attend B.F. Norton Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Joseph L. McCourt Middle School
High : Cumberland High School

How many students attend B.F. Norton Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 374 students attended B.F. Norton Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of B.F. Norton Elementary School?

Students at B.F. Norton Elementary School are 56% White, 26% Hispanic, 8% African American, 5% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

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Schools in Cumberland, RI

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Rhode Island Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.