Barrington School officials received some good news recently. 

Barrington Middle School was named the top-ranked middle school in the state, according to US News and World Report. 

The publication recently released rankings for its 2024 Best Elementary Schools and 2024 Best Middle Schools. The rankings were based on math and reading proficiency scores and state assessment data. (Unlike the Best High Schools list, US News and World Report ranks elementary and middle schools only at the state level.)

In addition to having the top-ranked middle school in the state, Barrington also boasts two of the top four elementary schools in Rhode Island. 

Nayatt School ranks second overall out of 264 elementary schools in Rhode Island, and Sowams School ranks fourth. Hampden Meadows School, which services all fourth- and fifth-graders in Barrington, ranks 18th overall, while Primrose Hill School ranks 19th. 

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore said he was pleased to learn of the strong rankings for the local schools.

“We like to celebrate performance,” Messore said. “You want people to remember all the schools are working hard every day.”

Messore said he never puts pressure on faculty or staff to secure top rankings on any lists. He said the district’s focus is working hard to provide quality instruction, follow a vetted curriculum, and help students achieve. 

When schools do that, he said, then the accolades will follow.

Messore singled out the achievements of Sowams School, which was ranked fourth overall among all Rhode Island elementary schools. He said it was just a few years ago when Sowams had struggled a bit with its assessment scores. 

Messore said teachers and administrators focused on making improvements and the work has shown through. 

“A lot of work has gone into it,” he said, adding that the same type of work is taking place at Primrose Hill School.