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 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.

SubjectSchool yearPercent proficient districtPercent proficient state3rd Grade Math2015–1633%56%3rd Grade Reading2013–1447%69%4th Grade Math2013–1439%63%4th Grade Reading2013–1453%70%4th Grade Science2015–1617%41%5th Grade Math2013–1438%61%5th Grade Reading2013–1452%74%5th Grade Writing2015–1644%64%6th Grade Math2013–1431%59%6th Grade Reading2013–1445%72%7th Grade Math2013–1434%59%7th Grade Reading2013–1439%69%8th Grade Math2013–1434%57%8th Grade Reading2013–1448%74%8th Grade Writing2013–1432%56%8th Grade Science2015–169%30%11th Grade Math2016–1730%0%11th Grade Reading2013–1461%81%11th Grade Writing2013–1448%66%11th Grade Science2012–139%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 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 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

DateHispanicBlackWhiteAsianMulti-racialNative AmericanMarch 201464.3%17.5%8.72%4.99%3.11%0.86%February 201163%19%9%5%3%1%March 200959%22%12%6%N/A1%January 200759%22%12%6%N/A1%January 200658%22%13%6.3%N/A0.7%

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

References

External links Official website Johnson, Bailey. (2011, February 23). "Providence, RI School District: All Teachers Are Fired," CBS News FoxProvidence.com. Guide to the Providence School Department records from the Rhode Island State Archives