What percentage of public school funding in comes from the federal government?

Updated Apr. 24, 2026Refreshed annually
About 14.7% or 1 in 7 dollars of Rhode Island public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Rhode Island received more funding from local or state governments than it did from federal sources. The totals differ by district, depending on factors such as student demographics (like poverty levels), availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural.

14.7%

of public school funding came from federal sources, 2022–23 school year

$3.67K

federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2022–23 school year
During the 2022–23 school year, the latest year data was available, Rhode Island schools received a higher share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (12.9%).

During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Rhode Island received 14.7% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Ask the data
Beta

We use AI to summarize the data, charts, and analysis we have on USAFacts

In all, public schools in Rhode Island received $504 million, or $2,558 in federal funds per student. That's 43.4% higher than the national average of $2,233 per student.

Get weekly insights

Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.

During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Rhode Island received $3,667 per student from the federal government.

Public school district revenue per student coming from federal sources

Most federal public school funds are allocated based on formulas based on factors such as poverty status or a district’s rural location. Federal programs for schools include:
  • Child nutrition programs: Administered by the Department of Agriculture, this includes National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
  • Education for the disadvantaged: Also known as Title I, the federal government provides additional funds to schools with relatively high concentration of low-income students.
  • Special education: According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, the federal government is authorized though not mandated to supply 40% of special education funds.
Among 39 school districts in Rhode Island, the Woonsocket School District in the Providence, RI area had the highest percentage of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year at 25.4%. The New Shoreham School District in the Providence, RI area received the smallest share at 2.4%.

Federal funding made up 2.4% to 25.4% of Rhode Island school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Woonsocket School District received 25.4% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among Rhode Island's 10 largest school districts. The Pawtucket School District had the highest federal funding in the group, it received $8,988 per student. The North Kingstown School District had the lowest share at 5.6% or $1,235 per student.

The 10 largest school districts in the Rhode Island based on 2022–23 enrollment.

The 10 largest school districts in the Rhode Island based on 2022–23 enrollment.
1.

Woonsocket School District

25.4%
2.

Providence School District

22.3%
3.

Pawtucket School District

20.2%
4.

Cranston School District

13.8%
5.

North Providence School District

13.6%
6.

Coventry School District

10.7%
7.

East Providence School District

10.3%
8.

Cumberland School District

9.7%
9.

Warwick School District

7.4%
10.

North Kingstown School District

5.6%

Keep exploring

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.