The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Math. The lowest is 32% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Blackstone Valley Prep E. 2
Blackstone Valley Prep Elementary 2 sits on Broad Street in Cumberland, Rhode Island, serving kindergarten through fourth grade as part of the Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy charter network. It is one of several schools in a network that has grown steadily since its founding, including the addition of an Advancement Academy in fall 2022. The school draws from across the region rather than from a single neighborhood catchment, and admission runs through a lottery. Publicly reported figures indicate the district receives far more applications than it has seats, so families considering this school should understand that enrollment is competitive and far from guaranteed.
The student body reflects the regional character of the network's draw. Hispanic students form the largest group, followed by Black students, with smaller White, Asian, and multiracial populations. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, pointing to a student population that skews toward families with fewer economic resources. Data on English learners and students with individualized education programs was not reported, so families for whom those services are central will want to ask the school directly about what is available.
On the most recent Rhode Island state assessment, RICAS, the school's results show roughly a third of tested students reaching proficiency in math, with a slightly lower share proficient in English language arts. Participation was full, which means the results represent the whole tested cohort rather than a subset. Only one year of data is available, so there is no trend to describe. These proficiency levels are modest, and a parent may want to look into how the school supports students below proficiency and what growth trajectories look like for individual children over time.
The school's grade band means certain data points simply do not apply. There is no graduation rate because the school does not serve high school grades. There are no AP or dual-credit offerings, which is typical for an elementary building. Program-specific details such as extracurriculars, specialized curricula, or after-school options were not available in the data we received.
Cumberland itself is the largest town in Rhode Island by population, a predominantly residential suburb in the Blackstone Valley with deep industrial roots. The Valley Falls Company, an antecedent of Berkshire Hathaway, once operated here, and the Ann & Hope discount retail chain was founded in town. Today Cumberland functions mainly as a bedroom community, with residents commuting to Providence and nearby employment centers. The town is largely auto-dependent, with residential subdivisions connected by major roadways. Valley Falls, the denser area closest to a traditional center, and Cumberland Hill are the two main census-designated places. There is no single downtown; civic functions are distributed across separate facilities, including a public library housed in a converted Trappist monastery and Town Hall on its own site. Community life centers on events like the Arnold Mills Fourth of July parade, Cumberlandfest at Diamond Hill Park, and programming at the Blackstone River Theatre.
Housing in the school's zip code sits above both the state and national benchmarks, with home values and rents reflecting Cumberland's position as an established suburb with demand from Providence-area commuters. Rents and values have both been climbing modestly. Families weighing a move into the area should know that the housing market carries suburban pricing while the school lottery remains the gatekeeper for access to this particular campus.
What this school offers is a charter elementary pathway within a network that serves a diverse, largely lower-income student population in a suburban Blackstone Valley setting. The academic results are early-stage and modest, and the competitive lottery adds a layer of uncertainty for families banking on enrollment. For parents already in the BVP network or drawn to its mission, Elementary 2 is one entry point; for those still deciding, the limited program data and single-year assessment picture suggest asking the school direct questions about instructional approach, growth monitoring, and supports for struggling learners before committing to the lottery.
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