Central Falls

Central Falls is a suburban school district in Providence County, Rhode Island, serving 2,596 students across seven schools: three elementary, two middle, and one high school. The district experienced a 3.9% enrollment decline from the prior year, reflecting a contraction trend that may affect resource planning and facility utilization.

Academic performance metrics indicate significant gaps compared to state benchmarks. Mathematics proficiency stands at 8.6% against the state average of 33.2%, while reading proficiency reaches 9.4% compared to the state average of 39.4%. These figures represent substantial disparities in student achievement. Chronic absenteeism at 28.4% represents another area of concern that may intersect with academic outcomes.

The district maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 with 194 teachers on staff. Per-pupil spending reaches $23,001, slightly above the state average of $22,238, suggesting relatively comparable resource investment despite performance differentials.

Central Falls operates with a total budget of $59.7 million, with revenue heavily dependent on state funding at 80.7% of the total. Federal sources contribute 14.4%, while local revenue comprises only 4.9% of funding. This funding structure reflects limited local tax base contribution and substantial reliance on state appropriations for operational sustainability. The combination of declining enrollment, low proficiency rates, and high absenteeism presents multifaceted challenges requiring comprehensive intervention strategies.