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 (2024-25)
- Grades: 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 280 schools) for:
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1926
1906
Campus Size
525 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
350 students
315 students
% Students of Color
18%
26%
% International Students
21%
20%
% Students Boarding
75%
70%
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
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
21
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
71%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$48 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$71,935
$66,250
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$44,980
$35,600
% 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
18
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
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
19
16
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
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
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. . .
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, 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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The nearest boarding school to Portsmouth Abbey School is St. George's School (7.9 miles away)
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