Excellence in Learning
Thriving Students
When learning environments are built around students, young people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
Across Providence Public Schools (PPSD), schools have been reshaped to help students succeed in school and beyond through a growing culture of shared responsibility among educators, families, students, and community partners. The district has also worked to address challenges outside of the classroom, such as food insecurity, transportation, safety, health needs, and the lasting effects of the pandemic. Beyond the classroom, students have access to an array of extracurricular activities, helping them build connections and feel a strong sense of belonging at school.
Advanced Academic Pathways
PPSD has expanded advanced academic opportunities that help students prepare for college, careers, and beyond. Through Early College, Dual Enrollment, AP courses, and partnerships with local colleges and universities, students can earn college credits, complete certifications, and experience college-level learning while still in high school. These unique opportunities allow students to graduate with confidence in their academic abilities, clarity about what they want to pursue, and fewer barriers to achieving their goals.
Academic Achievement
PPSD has made remarkable academic gains, emerging as one of only six districts in Rhode Island to surpass pre-pandemic achievement levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics. Student performance has rebounded faster than the state overall, reflecting the district’s sustained focus on high-quality instruction and targeted support. Since 2021, math proficiency has increased by 9.6 percentage points and ELA proficiency has risen by 3.6 percentage points. These and other results demonstrate meaningful progress in accelerating student learning and closing the gap created by the pandemic.
High-Quality Curriculum Materials
PPSD transformed teaching and learning by moving from fragmented instruction to a unified, high-quality curriculum across the district. More than 150 educators helped select and implement culturally relevant instructional materials, ensuring every student has access to rigorous, grade-level learning. The district also expanded support for educators by adding elementary reading specialists, secondary math and literacy interventionists, instructional coaching, collaborative planning time, and ongoing feedback to strengthen teaching and improve outcomes for all students.
Keeping Schools Open
School provides students with learning, stability, support, and connection, especially during times of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Providence reopened schools earlier than many Northeastern cities while prioritizing health and safety. Through meal delivery, technology access, and a phased reopening plan, the district worked to keep students connected to the resources and relationships they need to succeed. The experience strengthened Providence’s ability to respond to future challenges while keeping students at the center of every decision.
Pre-Kindergarten
Today, the PPSD’s youngest learners have expanded access to high-quality pre-K, helping more children enter kindergarten confident, curious, and ready to learn. Since 2019, the district and the state have more than doubled the number of pre-K seats, with three programs receiving the highest ratings. By investing in early learning, the district is building a stronger foundation for student success from the very first day.
Career and Technical Education
PPSD has almost doubled its Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, growing from 19 at the start of the intervention to 29 programs today and giving our high schoolers hands-on experience and industry certifications before graduation. This fall, every school will offer at least one CTE pathway in fields ranging from arts and communication to biomedical programming
Support for Differently-Abled Students
PPSD has strengthened support for differently abled students by expanding inclusive learning opportunities, enhancing specialized services, and investing in spaces designed to meet their individualized unique needs. New facilities provide high-quality therapeutic support in environments that help students build skills, increase independence, and fully engage in learning.
Dual Language Programming
PPSD has expanded dual language programs across six schools, giving more students the opportunity to learn in two languages and become bilingual. During the 2025-26 school year, the district offered 1,950 dual language seats at the middle and high school, nearly twice as many as the district offered six years ago. By treating students’ home languages as a strength, these programs help children build confidence, celebrate their cultures, and develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Multilingual Learners
PPSD has expanded access to high-quality language instruction, deepened partnerships with families, and invested in bilingual and ESL educators. In 2024, the district reached a major milestone when federal oversight related to the 2018 Department of Justice agreement came to an end, recognizing the significant progress made in ensuring nearly 8,000 multilingual learners have the support they need to fully participate in and succeed at school.
Improved Attendance
PPSD is helping more students get to school every day by addressing attendance challenges early and partnering closely with families. Through home visits, personalized attendance plans, and wraparound supports, the district works to remove barriers and keep students connected to learning. The results have been dramatic: chronic absenteeism has dropped by nearly 28 percentage points over the past five years, making the school district the state’s leader in attendance improvement.
Redesign Schools
Five of PPSD’s middle and high schools have reimagined learning to help students turn their passions into future opportunities. By offering innovative pathways in areas such as the arts, technology, and college preparation, students are engaging in rigorous learning while building the skills and support they need to achieve their goals.
School Counselors
PPSD has expanded its wraparound services so every student feels supported both in and out of the classroom. School counselors help students with their academic, social, and emotional needs, providing them with a judgment-free space to express themselves. In addition to offering one-on-one support, counselors lead classroom lessons that build connection and foster a welcoming school community.
