Providence Public Schools Unveils Fourth New School Building and Five Redesigned Schools for 2024-2025 School Year
School Officials cut ribbon on a new science lab and open five new for redesign school
models on the First Day on September 3
Providence, RI – Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, Mayor Brett Smiley, and Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez toured three Providence schools to celebrate the first day of school. The tour marked the opening of the fourth newly-remodeled elementary school in the Providence this calendar year, as well as two of the five newly redesigned schools in Providence Public School District (PPSD), both significant steps forward in the PPSD Turnaround Action Plan.
The “like-new” Pleasant View Elementary School is part of PPSD’s $1 billion school facilities plan that will help create enough new facilities so that all students have the opportunity to learn in a new or like new school by 2030. This follows the opening of three new school buildings last year. This fall, the District will break ground on Harry Kizirian and Mary Fogarty Elementary School which will transition into PK-8 schools. These new facilities mark moving the number of students learning in new or “like-new” Providence from 5% to 100%.
“The first day of school is a pivotal moment in every student’s educational journey,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Our commitment to improving educational facilities across Providence reflects my administrations dedication to out of school learning through #Learn365RI and to providing every child with the best possible learning environment. Ensuring that students are present and engaged from day one is crucial to their success.”
“Today marks not just the start of a new school year but also a continued commitment to our students’ futures,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “The investments we are making in Providence’s schools are about creating spaces where every student can thrive. Attendance Matters, and the first day sets the foundation for academic achievement, and we must encourage and support our students to be present from the start.”
Also new this year, PPSD officially launched five newly redesigned schools, part of our ongoing commitment to providing innovative and effective learning environments that promote academic excellence and will prepare students for success in college and career. These schools – Hope High School, Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex, Mount Pleasant High School, DelSesto Middle School, and Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School – will feature enhanced academic programs, project-based learning, and new opportunities for student engagement and success.
“PPSD has been working with the community since 2022 to create school options that meet student interests and prepare them for success in their post-secondary careers,” said PPSD Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “We are excited to officially launch these new redesign schools for our community. We are equally thrilled to welcome students and families to the newly remodeled Pleasant View Elementary School. Students and teachers will be engaged in 21st century learning spaces.”
The first stop of the tour, DelSesto Middle School has been transformed to integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math into curricular activities to inspire students to become critical thinkers capable of using 21st-century skills to build real-world solutions and solve relevant community challenges. The school will feature inquiry-based learning, rigorous academics, student-centered school culture and high-quality partnerships. Their partners include Rhode Island Math and Science Achievement (RIMESA), Providence Afterschool Alliance (PASA), and SeaPerch Robotics. Last year, four DelSesto students secured first place in the 2024 RI MESA Middle School State Engineering Design Competition.
During the second stop of the tour, leaders cut the ribbon on the new science lab at Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC). At JSEC, CTE programs and pathways are supported and approved by NAF (formerly the National Academy Foundation), a national organization that supports academy development in Engineering, Finance, Health Sciences, and Information Technology. NAF serves as an integral part of their redesign plans by providing technical support in curriculum design, and work-based learning. Industry Advisory Boards made up of local industry leaders and professionals collaborated with the schools to design career-driven post-secondary preparation as well as linking schools to exemplary programs across the country.
Providence Public Schools is committed to providing a world-class education for all students, preparing them for success in college, career, and life.
For more information about Providence Public Schools, visit www.providenceschools.org. Follow Providence Public Schools on Facebook, X (@pvdschools), or Instagram (@pvdschools) for timely updates.
