Portsmouth Abbey School

285 Cory's Lane
Portsmouth, RI 02871
Portsmouth Abbey School is a Catholic, co-educational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12.
The school is located on a beautiful 525-acre campus along Narragansett Bay, just a few miles from Newport, RI. For over 90 years, the Abbey`s liberal arts curriculum has prepared students for lives of significance and purpose.
This education is grounded in the Western intellectual tradition and teaches students to solve problems, communicate ideas, work together, and innovate.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12
  • Enrollment: 350 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,935
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,980
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Portsmouth Abbey School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 289 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2023 School Data
Portsmouth Abbey School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1926
1907
Campus Size
525 acres
130 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
350 students
310 students
% Students of Color
18%
25%
% International Students
21%
20%
% Students Boarding
75%
67%
Average SAT Score
1400
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1260 - 1453
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
21
17
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
71%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$48 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$71,935
$64,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$44,980
$35,000
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$38,000
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Jan. 31
Jan. 15
Average Percentile SSAT
72%
-
Acceptance Rate
31%
60%
Director of Admissions
Brendan McGrail
Associate Director of Admissions
Amelia Tracy

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
21
17
Courses
Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese Language and Culture, Computer Science, English Language, English Literature, French Language and Culture, Latin, Modern European History, Music Theory, Physics C, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art, United States History

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
16
23
Extracurriculars
Christian Community Service, Cultural Awareness Club, Debate Club, Red Key, The Beacon, The Gregorian, The Raven, TLC, Wilderness Club, WJHD

Club or Organization:
Classics Club, March for Life Group, Scriptorium

Arts and Music Programs:
Abbey Singers, Pro Deo, Study Club

College Matriculation

Year: 2015 - 2018
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Boston College
16
Georgetown University
13
College of the Holy Cross
9
New York University
8
The George Washington University
8
Brown University
6
Cornell University
6
Johns Hopkins University
6
Northwestern University
6
United States Naval Academy
5

School Notes

  • Portsmouth Abbey School helps young men and women grow in knowledge and grace.  As a Benedictine boarding and day school committed to excellence, we embrace the Catholic faith while nurturing reverence for God and the human person, love of learning, and commitment to community life.
  • Part of our mission is to live in a community that values each of its members, and our similarities and differences. This mission enables our students to better understand themselves and the world around them. Our students thrive in this environment and take full advantage of the spiritual, athletic, artistic, and service opportunities that exist on our campus and beyond. Our sense of community is strong, vibrant, and easy to feel, although sometimes challenging to put into words.
  • We celebrate our achievements, and we offer help to those in need in an effort to make this a more gracious community. We invite you to learn more about Portsmouth Abbey School on the following pages and on our website, but most importantly please come and see it for yourself.
  • Portsmouth Abbey School accreditations: NEASC, TABS, NAIS
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Christopher Buckley - writer and political satirist; former Managing Editor of Esquire Magazine; chief speech writer for Vice President George H. W. Bush; author of Thank You for Smoking
    • John E. Pepper, Jr. - Chairman of the Walt Disney Company
    • Robert F. Kennedy - U.S. Senator from New York; U.S. Attorney General
    • Edward M. Kennedy - U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
    • Peter M. Flanigan - Assistant to President Richard Nixon
    • Benedict Fitzgerald - American screenwriter - In Cold Blood, Wise Blood; co-wrote Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin screenplay for The Passion of the Christ
    • Charlie Day - actor, writer, executive producter - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
    • William Ruckelshaus - first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; former FBI director and U.S. Deputy Attorney General
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Portsmouth Abbey School cost?
Portsmouth Abbey School's tuition is approximately $71,935 for boarding students and $44,980 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Portsmouth Abbey School?
The acceptance rate of Portsmouth Abbey School is 31%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
Who are famous alumni from Portsmouth Abbey School?
Portsmouth Abbey School famous alumni include: Christopher Buckley, John E. Pepper, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, Peter M. Flanigan, Benedict Fitzgerald, Charlie Day and William Ruckelshaus.
What sports does Portsmouth Abbey School offer?
Portsmouth Abbey School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Portsmouth Abbey School's ranking?
Portsmouth Abbey School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High average SAT scores and High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School?
The application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School is Jan. 31.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2017
5.00
Saint Johns College
Portsmouth Abbey is very different in that the community of the school is very close-knit due to its size so you really do get to know everyone there. It’s also catholic so weekly mass as. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
Bowdoin College
One thing that makes us unique from other schools is our religious aspect. We were founded by a Benedictine Catholic monastery that still is active, and it influences campus life. We have mass every Sunday. . .

Class of 2013
5.00
Ohio State University
Portsmouth Abbey, located on the gorgeous Rhode Island coast overlooking Narragansett Bay is alone in its communal culture. While other boarding schools offer the same aspects of community, I maintain that Portsmouth Abbey creates a. . .
Show more reviews (2 reviews)
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12
  • Enrollment: 350 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,935
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,980
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31
  • Source: Verified school update

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