Four Newport County communities will benefit from more than $2 million in state funding aimed at boosting math skills among Rhode Island students this summer, as part of Governor Dan McKee’s expanded Learn365RI initiative.
Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, and Tiverton were among 25 municipalities statewide awarded grants through the McKee Administration’s #MathMattersRI campaign, designed to provide mathematics-focused programming for students from kindergarten through ninth grade.
The funding comes as Rhode Island continues its push to improve academic outcomes following the pandemic. According to Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green of the Rhode Island Department of Education, the state’s math scores have rebounded above pre-pandemic levels, with national education experts noting Rhode Island leads New England in academic recovery.
“I want to help Rhode Island students build strong futures—and math skills are a key part of that success,” Governor McKee stated. “We need to help students gain the tools they need now for high-paying jobs in the future.”
In Newport County, the programming varies by community and grade level:
Middletown will offer a Summer Enrichment Camp for students in grades 1-6, providing foundational math support for elementary-aged learners.
Newport received funding for its R3 Summer Learning Program, targeting students in grades 1-5 with comprehensive math instruction.
Portsmouth will run two distinct programs: Math Matters-K STEM Exploration for kindergarten and first-grade students, and a partnership with Mathnasium serving grades 2-7. The dual approach allows Portsmouth to address math learning across a broad age range.
Tiverton will implement Summer Math Boot Camps for third and fourth graders, as well as the Tiverton Middle School Summer Academic Camp for Math serving grades 5-8. Both Tiverton programs require referral for enrollment.
Most programs across the state are offered free of charge, with some open to public enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis while others operate by referral only.
The Learn365RI initiative, launched in 2023, represents the state’s commitment to expanding learning opportunities beyond traditional classroom hours. The summer math programming is specifically designed to help improve Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) scores and better prepare students for future academic and career success.
While Jamestown and Little Compton did not receive funding in this round of grants, families in those communities may be able to access programs in neighboring towns or through regional partnerships.
Parents and students interested in summer math programming can find more information on the Learn365RI page of the Rhode Island Department of Education website. Given that many programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, we recommend early registration.
The statewide investment underscores Rhode Island’s recognition that mathematics proficiency serves as a cornerstone for future educational and economic opportunities, particularly as the job market increasingly demands strong STEM skills.