Portsmouth Abbey School (2026 Profile)

5.00 (5 reviews)

Tel: (401) 643-1248

285 Cory's Lane
Portsmouth, RI 02871

www.portsmouthabbey.org

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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 Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 350 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,825
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,650
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 307 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Portsmouth Abbey School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1926

1909

Campus Size

525 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment

350 students

300 students

% Students of Color

18%

25%

% International Students

21%

20%

% Students Boarding

75%

70%

Average SAT Score

1400
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

SAT range (25th-75th percentile)

1260 - 1453

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Yes

Frequency of Saturday Classes

Weekly

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Casual

Average Class Size

12 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

80%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Accreditations

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

Art HistoryBiology

Calculus ABCalculus BC

ChemistryChinese Language and Culture

Computer ScienceEnglish Language

English LiteratureFrench Language and Culture

LatinModern European History

Music TheoryPhysics C

Spanish Language and CultureSpanish Literature

StatisticsStudio Art

United States History

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Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$48 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$77,825

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$48,650

$33,500

% Students on Financial Aid

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$38,000

$25,000

Admissions

Application Deadline

Jan. 31

Jan. 15

Average Percentile SSAT

72%

Acceptance Rate

31%

58%

Director of Admissions

Brendan McGrail

Associate Director of Admissions

Amelia Tracy

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

BaseballBasketball

Cross CountryEquestrian

Track and FieldVolleyball

Wrestling

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Colors

Black, Red

School Mascot

Raven

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Big Sister/Little Sister CouncilChristian Community Service

Cultural Awareness ClubDebate Club

Red KeyTaekwondo Society

Teens Leading ChildrenThe Beacon

The GregorianThe Raven

TLCWilderness Club

WJHD

Club or Organization:

Appalachia Service ProjectAstronomy Club

Beta Club (academic honor society)Chinese Language & Culture Club

Classics ClubMarch for Life Group

ScriptoriumVT Teen Leadership Safety Program

Arts and Music Programs:

A FlatsAbbey Singers

G Sharpsorchestra

Pro DeoStudy Club

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

Boston College

Georgetown University

College of the Holy Cross

New York University

The George Washington University

Brown University

Cornell University

Johns Hopkins University

Northwestern University

United States Naval Academy

View Matriculation Data

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.
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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Portsmouth Abbey School cost?

Portsmouth Abbey School's tuition is approximately $77,825 for boarding students and $48,650 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 58%.

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 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, 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.

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

Portsmouth Abbey School Alumni #1
Class of 2017
5.008/5/2019
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. . .

Portsmouth Abbey School Alumni #2
Class of 2016
5.0012/29/2016
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. . .

Portsmouth Abbey School Alumni #3
Class of 2013
5.0012/17/2016
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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