The Providence Public School Department is the administrative force behind the primary public school district of Providence, Rhode Island. As of July 2022, it serves about 21,700 students in pre-K through 12th grade. It has 21 elementary schools, seven middle schools and nine high schools, along with two public charter schools.[3]
The Providence Public School District includes magnet schools at the middle and high school level, Nathanael Greene and Classical respectively. There are two separate centers for students with special needs.[4] Two public charter schools, Time Squared Academy High School (K–12) and Textron Chamber of Commerce (9–12), are funded by GTECH Corporation and Textron respectively.[5] Overall, the public high school graduation rate as of 2019[update] is 74%,[6] which is below the statewide rate of 84%[7] and the national average of 87%.[8]
Providence Public Schools rank third when compared to public schools in New England. Worcester Public and Boston Public are ranked 1st and 2nd.[citation needed]
Vision and mission
Vision
The Providence Public School District will be a national leader in educating urban youth.
Mission
The Providence Public School District will prepare all students to succeed in the nation’s colleges and universities, and in their chosen professions.
History
Providence civic leader John Howland established a system of free public education by means of the School Act in 1828. During the 1830s and 1840s, that system grew and prospered, especially in Providence, owing to the exertions of Samuel Bridgham, Nathan Bishop, and Thomas Wilson Dorr. Education specialist Henry Barnard was recruited as the first state commissioner of education until 1849, with the aim of bringing the other towns to the high educational level which had been achieved by Providence. Barnard observed that "the city of Providence has already gained to itself an extended reputation and made itself a bright example to many other cities."
Textron Chamber of Commerce Providence Public Charter School
The Times2 Academy
Highlander Charter School
Paul Cuffee Charter School
Achievement First
Centers servicing students with significant disabilities
Harold A. Birch Vocational Program
Hope High School Special Education
Former schools
Brigham
St. Charles Vocational Program
Windmill Street School
Transition Programs
Special Education Students are 18-25 ages students some are disabilities on IEP/504 Plan
Providence Autism School to Tomorrow Academy (PASTTA)
Providence Transition Academy
Student achievement
Not Making Adequate Yearly Progress
According to the 2010–2011 AYP Summary Reports 50% of schools in the district are making Adequate Yearly Progress.[9]
The district received the AYP Status of Not Making Adequate Yearly Progress for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.
NECAP results
This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2023)
District NECAP results for 2015–16 were significantly below state averages.[9]
Subject
School year
Percent proficient district
Percent proficient state
3rd Grade Math
2015–16
33%
56%
3rd Grade Reading
2013–14
47%
69%
4th Grade Math
2013–14
39%
63%
4th Grade Reading
2013–14
53%
70%
4th Grade Science
2015–16
17%
41%
5th Grade Math
2013–14
38%
61%
5th Grade Reading
2013–14
52%
74%
5th Grade Writing
2015–16
44%
64%
6th Grade Math
2013–14
31%
59%
6th Grade Reading
2013–14
45%
72%
7th Grade Math
2013–14
34%
59%
7th Grade Reading
2013–14
39%
69%
8th Grade Math
2013–14
34%
57%
8th Grade Reading
2013–14
48%
74%
8th Grade Writing
2013–14
32%
56%
8th Grade Science
2015–16
9%
30%
11th Grade Math
2016–17
30%
0%
11th Grade Reading
2013–14
61%
81%
11th Grade Writing
2013–14
48%
66%
11th Grade Science
2012–13
9%
30%
Graduation rates
This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2023)
