Thomas W. Kenworthy
Superintendent of Schools
Email: kenworthyt@portsmouthschoolsri.org

Heather Rhodes
Assistant to the Superintendent
Email: rhodesh@portsmouthschoolsri.org

Contact Us
Central Administration Office 
29 Middle Road, Portsmouth, RI  02871
Phone: 401-683-1039, ext. 6
Office Hours:  8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Superintendent's Goals 2024-2025
Superintendent's Updates
Organizational Chart

Dr. Thomas Kenworthy was appointed as Superintendent of the Portsmouth School Department in January of 2020 after serving as Assistant Superintendent for 5 years. Throughout his career in education, Dr. Kenworthy has been a teacher, athletic coach, assistant principal, and principal at the middle and high school level in several RI schools and districts. He was also a school and district visit specialist for two years at the Rhode Island Department of Education, where he had the opportunity to work with educators throughout the state on school improvement initiatives. 

Dr. Kenworthy is a United States Marine Corps veteran. A first-generation college graduate, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve to help pay for his studies. After boot camp and initial training, he completed a six-year enlisted term attached to the Marine Wing Support Squadron-474 out of the Westover Air Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts. His extended training opportunities took him to various bases throughout the United States and Europe. He received several letters of commendation during his service, including one for providing advance support for Exercise Battle Griffin (1996), the largest NATO training exercise north of the Arctic Circle in the post-World War II era up to that time. After fulfilling his military service obligation, he received an honorable discharge as a non-commissioned officer in 1999. 

Dr. Kenworthy earned a B.A. in secondary education/social studies from Rhode Island College, an M.Ed. in school administration from Providence College, and a C.A.G.S. and Ed.D. in educational leadership from Johnson & Wales University. In order to stay current with educational research and best practice, he is a Professor of Practice in the Educational Leadership Program at Johnson & Wales University, where he teaches The Leadership of Teaching & Learning (K-12) to first-year doctoral candidates and serves on dissertation committees. 

Dr. Kenworthy is committed to working with the students, staff, and families of Portsmouth to produce the best possible outcomes for all students. He and his wife are the proud parents of three children. Away from work he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, staying active, and pursuing his life-long passion for the study of history.

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