The Compass School

Charter School 215 Students

Elementary School K - 8th

School Overview

The Compass School, located in Kingston, Rhode Island, is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in grades K–8. It is widely recognized for its commitment to a progressive, project-based learning model that emphasizes hands-on inquiry, critical thinking, and social-emotional development. By maintaining smaller class sizes and a supportive community atmosphere, the school aims to foster a personalized educational experience that encourages students to take ownership of their academic growth while connecting their classroom studies to the broader local and global environment.

Beyond its core curriculum, The Compass School is noted for its focus on environmental stewardship and community engagement. The school’s philosophy often integrates nature-based learning and interdisciplinary projects, encouraging students to become active, responsible citizens. By prioritizing collaborative problem-solving and a culture of mutual respect, the school provides a distinct alternative to traditional district models, focusing on developing the "whole child" through a balance of academic rigor and character education.

215

Total Students

17.0

Full-Time Teachers

12.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

18.1%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for The Compass School
Demographic	Student Count
White	189
Hispanic	15
Asian	2
Two or More	7
American Indian	2

White
189 (87.9 %)
Hispanic
15 (7.0 %)
Two or More
7 (3.3 %)
Asian
2 (0.9 %)
American Indian
2 (0.9 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	The Compass School
Phone:	(401)788-8322
Grade Range:	K - 8th
Total Students:	215
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	17.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	12.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	34
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	5

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 19

Grade 1 17

Grade 2 20

Grade 3 20

Grade 4 20

Grade 5 30

Grade 6 30

Grade 7 28

Grade 8 31