# 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
* Kennedy
* King
* Kizirian
* Leviton Dual Language School
* Lima
* Lima Annex
* Messer
* Pleasant View
* Reservoir
* Veazie
* Webster
* West
* Young & Woods

### Middle schools

As of the 2024–2025 school year
* Delsesto
* Esek Hopkins
* Gibert 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.
| 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

Four-year graduation rate (students entering grade 9 in 2009–2010) (as reported by the Rhode Island Department of Education)
| - | Year | District | State |
| Percent graduated within 4 Years | 2012–13 | 71.4% | 79.7% |
| Percent dropped out | 2012–13 | 15.0% | 9.1% |
| Percent received GED | 2012–13 | 2.2% | 2.9% |
| Percent still in school | 2012–13 | 11.4% | 8.3% |
Five-year graduation rate (students entering grade 9 in 2008–2009) (as reported by the Rhode Island Department of Education)
| Graduation rates | District | State |
| Percent graduated within 4 years | 65.5% | 77.3% |
| Percent graduated in 5 years | 5.1% | 3.6% |
| Percent graduated within 5 years | 70.6% | 80.9% |
Historic graduation rate data (as reported by the district)
| School year | Graduation rate |
| 2005–06 | 71.01% |
| 2004–05 | 72.98% |
| 2003–04 | 65.60% |
| 2002–03 | 65.70% |

## Population
### 2010–2011 school year

District data from 2010–2011 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
| Program | Percent enrolled | Students |
| ESL students | 53% | 2,084 |
| Bilingual students | 37% | 1,455 |
| Eligible not enrolled (ENE) | 9% | 362 |
| Dual language (included in bilingual totals) | 3% | 132 |
| Inclusion Regular (General Education IEP) | 10% | 1,000 | Total in program | 100% | 10,000 |
994 (19%) - Exited students being monitored
5,344 - Total with monitoring & ENE

#### Staff: 3,242

| Number | Percentage | Staff position |
| 1,895 | 59% | Teachers |
| 855 | 23% | Aides, bus monitors, crossing guards |
| 224 | 7% | Clerical support |
| 222 | 7% | Other |
| 76 | 2% | School administrators |
| 33 | 1% | Certified personnel |
| 33 | 1% | Non-certified support personnel |

### 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

| Date | Student population |
| 2018 October | 23,955 |
| 2017 October | 24,075 |
| 2016 October | 23,983 |
| 2015 October | 23,867 |
| 2014 October | 23,907 |
| 2013 October | 23,827 |

#### Changes in demographics

| Date | Hispanic | Black | White | Asian | Multi-racial | Native American |
| March 2014 | 64.3% | 17.5% | 8.72% | 4.99% | 3.11% | 0.86% |
| February 2011 | 63% | 19% | 9% | 5% | 3% | 1% |
| March 2009 | 59% | 22% | 12% | 6% | N/A | 1% |
| January 2007 | 59% | 22% | 12% | 6% | N/A | 1% |
| January 2006 | 58% | 22% | 13% | 6.3% | N/A | 0.7% |

## 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