Providence Public School District

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. 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. 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. Overall, the public high school graduation rate as of 2019 is 74%, which is below the statewide rate of 84% and the national average of 87%. Providence Public Schools rank third when compared to public schools in New England. Worcester Public and Boston Public are ranked 1st and 2nd. 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." List of schools Elementary schools As of the 2024–2025 school year Bailey Carnevale D'Abate Feinstein at Sackett Street Fogarty Frank Spaziano & Annex Gregorian Robert F. Kennedy (formerly Nelson St. School) King Kizirian Leviton Dual Language School Lima Lima Annex Asa Messer Pleasant View Reservoir Veazie Webster West Young & Woods Middle schools As of the 2024–2025 school year Delsesto Esek Hopkins Gilbert Stuart Nathan Bishop Nathanael Greene Roger Willams West Broadway High schools As of the 2024–2025 school year 360 High School Classical Central E-Cubed Academy Hope Mount Pleasant Juanita Sanchez Complex Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School Providence Career Tech Academy Charter schools 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 Fortes 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. The district received the AYP Status of Not Making Adequate Yearly Progress for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. NECAP results District NECAP results for 2015–16 were significantly below state averages. Graduation rates Four-year graduation rate (students entering grade 9 in 2009–2010) (as reported by the Rhode Island Department of Education) Five-year graduation rate (students entering grade 9 in 2008–2009) (as reported by the Rhode Island Department of Education) Historic graduation rate data (as reported by the district) Population 2010–2011 school year District data from 2010 to 2011 school year Demographics 14,715 or 63% Hispanic 4,521 or 19% Black 2,175 or 9% White 1,237 or 5% Asian 676 or 3% Multi-racial 215 or 1% Native American Free and reduced lunches Elementary: 82% free, 6% reduced, 4% paid Middle: 83% free, 6% reduced, 5% paid High: 74% free, 8% reduced, 7% paid Transition: 74% free, 8% reduced, 10% paid Universal Free Lunch Program in all middle and high schools. Special populations Special Education As of June 2022, 4,615 students in the district, ages 3–25, were identified as having disabilities. Language programs 994 (19%) - Exited students being monitored 5,344 - Total with monitoring & ENE Staff: 3,242 Teacher and administrator demographics from 2005–06 Teaching staff demographics 82% White 7.6% Black 8.8% Hispanic 1.2% Asian / Pacific Islander 0.4% American Indian 27% Male | 73% Female Administrator demographics 62% White 24% Black 12% Hispanic 2% Asian / Pacific Islander 0% American Indian 48% Male | 52% Female Population changes over time Student population data Changes in demographics Finances Bus Budget FY 22-23 Bus Budget: $335.5M Budget FY 19-20 Budget: $395,628,201 Per-pupil spending FY 17-18 spending per pupil: $15,305 References External links Official website Johnson, Bailey. (2011, February 23). "Providence, RI School District: All Teachers Are Fired," CBS News Sardelli, Melissa, and Tim O'Coin. (2011, March 29). "Prov. Supt. Tom Brady stepping down: Will resign July 15," FoxProvidence.com. Guide to the Providence School Department records Archived September 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine from the Rhode Island State Archives