Providence Public Schools Welcomes Students for 2026-27 School Year Following Return to Local Control with new buildings and programs

Providence, RI – The Providence Public School District (PPSD) welcomed students back for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, August 25, marking the first full academic year since the district’s transition back to local control on July 1, 2026. This milestone follows years of measurable progress under state intervention, including rebounding assessment scores, record-high graduation rates, and a massive $1 billion investment in modernizing school facilities.

“Working closely with the community and local leaders, RIDE established a strong foundation for Providence Public Schools to continue improving outcomes for students and families,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “The progress seen in recent years, including stronger academic outcomes, expanded opportunities for students, and improved systems of support, reflects the hard work of educators, families, students, and community partners. As Providence Public Schools welcome back students this year, I join local and state leaders in wishing them continued success and a wonderful school year.”

“Building on a summer filled with enriching learning opportunities outside of the classroom, I am incredibly excited to welcome Providence students back for a new school year and a new chapter for our public schools,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “We advocated to bring control of our schools back to Providence because our students, families and educators deserve a school system that is accountable to them and responsive to the needs of our community. Now, with our schools back under local management, we have the opportunity to deliver fully on our cradle-to-career vision by supporting Providence children from their earliest years, through the classroom and into college and careers. This is our moment to build a public school system Providence students deserve.”

“”Our students’ success and well-being remain my absolute North Star. The momentum we are seeing—from state-of-the-art facility upgrades to Classical’s prestigious National Blue Ribbon Achievement—is a testament to every student, parent, and educator who stepped up,” said Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “Together, we will celebrate these milestones while mapping out an even bolder vision for our district’s future.”

“Today marks more than the beginning of a new school year; it marks a new chapter for public education in Providence,” said School Board President Ty’Relle Stephens. “We have both an extraordinary opportunity and a profound responsibility to ensure every child, regardless of their neighborhood, background, or circumstance, has access to an excellent education. We begin this year with renewed hope, clear purpose, and a shared commitment to building a school system worthy of the brilliance and potential of every Providence student.”

Frank D. Spaziano PK-8 School: New Building

As part of the district’s ongoing facilities plan, PPSD celebrated the opening of the Frank D. Spaziano PK-8 School’s Upper Campus, which serves students in grades 6 and 7 for the current year. The new facility is part of an initiative to ensure that 100% of Providence students are learning in modern, 21st-century environments by 2030.

Major construction also continues at five other elementary schools—Harry Kizirian, Mary E. Fogarty, Asa Messer, Robert F. Kennedy, and Alfred Lima/Gilbert Stuart PreK-8 schools. Kizirian, Fogarty, Messer, and Kennedy schools are temporarily operating in alternate locations as their schools are transformed into modern PK-8 facilities, with substantial completion for several projects expected by Summer 2027. In addition, Mount Pleasant High School continues its phased construction project.

Classical High School: Academic Achievement

The district enters the new year on a wave of academic success. In June 2026, Classical High School was named a Rhode Island Blue Ribbon School for Exemplary High Performance, marking the third such honor for a Providence school in three years. Classical High School currently ranks as the #1 high school in Rhode Island and #133 nationally, with over 94% of its Class of 2026 graduates moving on to post-secondary studies.

PPSD also continues to expand access to high-quality specialized programs, including adding a new Career and Technical Education program pre-medical program at Classical.  With this new program, it will be the first year that PPSD will offer a CTE offering at each comprehensive high school.

Nathanael Greene Middle School: Attendance Achievement
In SY 2025–26, Providence’s district-wide chronic absenteeism rate dropped to 25.3%—a 31.8 percentage point reduction from its pandemic peak of 57.1% in SY 2021–22. This represents the largest absenteeism drop of any traditional local education agency in Rhode Island. Nathanael Greene Middle School achieved the lowest middle school chronic absenteeism rate in PPSD at 18.91%. Their rate decreased by 5.56 percentage points compared to last year.

Family Resources and Communication
To help families start the year strong, the district has launched a Back to School Hub providing resources on transportation, school meals, and safety.

For more information, families are encouraged to visit the Back to School Hub at www.providenceschools.org/backtoschool.