It includes all early childhood centers, independent, parochial, private and public elementary and secondary schools, the US Naval War College, and Salve Regina University. As a means of promoting education as a community value, ACE provides opportunities for professional development, instructional advancement, expansion and extension of learning opportunities, sharing of facilities and resources, and communication among educational institutions. The executive council is comprised of representatives of the various member organizations, and meets monthly. Officers include the president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. Various committees enable the collaborative to fulfill its goals and objectives, which are reviewed annually.
Meetings are open to all educators in the member schools.
The day of workshops offers a variety of topics for educators ranging from early childhood to secondary school. Educators may earn a percentage of the fifteen-hour requirements by accruing contact hours in the workshops offered. The PDI provides the opportunity for educators to expand their knowledge, improve their skills, and enrich their teaching. The education department of Salve Regina University has collaborated with the Sullivan Elementary School for eleven years. Both the Sullivan School principal, faculty, family service coordinator, Family Center staff and Salve Regina faculty share responsibility for the collaboration by serving on the Professional Development School Advisory Board.