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 December 2017, it serves over 23,000 students in 43 schools, 3 annexes, 2 charter schools, and 3 centers servicing students with disabilities.
Providence Public Schools rank third when compared to public schools in New England. Worcester Public and Boston Public are ranked 1st and 2nd.
Vision and mission
VisionThe 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."List of schools
Elementary schools
As of the 2019-2020 school year- Bailey
- Carnevale
- D’Abate
- Feinstein at Broad Street
- Feinstein at Sackett Street
- Fogarty
- Fortes
- Frank Spaziano & Annex
- Gregorian
- Kennedy
- King
- Kizirian
- Lauro
- Lima
- Lima Annex
- Messer
- Pleasant View
- Reservoir
- Veazie
- Webster
- West
- Young & Woods
Middle schools
- DelSesto
- Esek Hopkins
- Gibert Stuart
- Nathan Bishop
- Nathanael Greene
- Roger Willams
- West Broadway
High schools
- Classical
- Central
- 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
- A-Venture Academy
- St. Charles Vocational Program at Hope High School
Former schools
- Bridgham
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| - | 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
| 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
| 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 yearDemographics
- 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
- Grooming: 10% free, 2% reduced, 0% paid
Grooming Free Lunch Program in all grooming programs.
Special populations
Special EducationAs of October 2019, 4,582 students in the district, ages 3–22, were identified as having disabilities.
Language programs
| Program | Percent enrolled | Students |
| ESL students | 53% | 2,084 |
| Bilingual students | 37% | 1,455 |
| Eligible not enrolled | 9% | 362 |
| Dual language | 3% | 132 |
| Inclusion Regular | 10% | 175 |
| Total in program | 100% | 4,075 |
994 - 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
| 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% |