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 and Textron Chamber of Commerce, 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.
WWW providenceschools.org𝕏 pvdschools

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
  • 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

High schools

As of the 2024-2025 school year

Charter schools

Centers servicing students with significant disabilities

Former schools

Transition Programs

Special Education Students are 18-25 ages students some are disabilities on IEP/504 Plan
  • Providence Autism School to Tomorrow Academy
  • 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 state
3rd 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
-YearDistrictState
Percent graduated within 4 Years2012–1371.4%79.7%
Percent dropped out2012–1315.0%9.1%
Percent received GED2012–132.2%2.9%
Percent still in school2012–1311.4%8.3%

Five-year graduation rate
Graduation ratesDistrictState
Percent graduated within 4 years65.5%77.3%
Percent graduated in 5 years5.1%3.6%
Percent graduated within 5 years70.6%80.9%

Historic graduation rate data
School yearGraduation rate
2005–0671.01%
2004–0572.98%
2003–0465.60%
2002–0365.70%

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
ProgramPercent enrolledStudents----
ESL students53%2,084----
Bilingual students37%1,455----
Eligible not enrolled 9%362----
Dual language 3%132----
Inclusion Regular 10%1,000Total in program100%10,000

994 - Exited students being monitored
5,344 - Total with monitoring & ENE

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

DateStudent population
2018 October23,955
2017 October24,075
2016 October23,983
2015 October23,867
2014 October23,907
2013 October23,827

Changes in demographics

DateHispanicBlackWhiteAsianMulti-racialNative American
March 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