State, City, and School Leaders Recognize Providence Public Schools' Progress in 2024 Accountability Results

Published on Thursday, January 02, 2025

PROVIDENCE, RI - The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) recently released the 2024 school and district accountability results which underscored the Providence Public Schools District’s (PPSD) continued progress under the State intervention. The latest results show that seven PPSD schools increased their Star rating and the District decreased the number of schools designated for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), from 11 to nine. While acknowledging that further improvement is needed, State, City, and PPSD leaders recognized the positive momentum applauding schools that were able to improve their ratings.

“I am pleased that the latest accountability results show that through the State’s partnership with PPSD, there is clear momentum in Providence Public Schools,” said Governor Dan McKee. “While there are still areas for growth and improvement, the increase of Star ratings in several schools and the overall decrease of low performing schools in Providence is welcome news. Education is a top priority for my Administration, and we will continue to spread our message statewide: every home, every day, learning matters.”

“The latest school accountability results show that with the support of RIDE, Providence Public Schools continue to move in the right direction,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Through hard work and collaboration among students, families, teachers, and school leaders, considerable progress has been made in a number of our schools. That said, our work is far from over and we remain committed to supporting PPSD’s efforts to promote academic excellence and continue to improve outcomes districtwide.”

"I am thrilled to see the Turnaround Action Plan is working and delivering meaningful, positive results in Providence schools," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "While there is still more work to be done, this progress shows that we are heading in the right direction. I remain committed to working alongside our community, the State and the District to continue to improve educational outcomes for every student in Providence."

Notably, Classical High School and Asa Messer Elementary School were lauded for achieving an increase of 2-star ratings. Messer is the only 1-star school to go up to 3-stars and is the only elementary school in the entire state to increase by 2-star ratings. Classical increased from 2-stars to 4. Other schools that saw an increase in Star ratings include: 

  • Mary Fogarty Elementary School, from 1-star to 2;
  • West Broadway Middle School, from 1-star to 2;
  • Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex, from 1-star to 2;
  • Frank Spaziano Elementary School, from 2-star to 3;
  • And, Leviton Dual Language School, from 2-star to 3.

“We’re excited that many Providence public schools including Classical High School and Asa Messer Elementary School are receiving the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication to student achievement,” said Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “While there is room for further improvement, we’re proud of all of our schools that made gains and are committed to ensuring they continue to make strides. We will continue to support our school communities and use this data to build off our strengths and address areas that need more focus. By working together, we will make sure PPSD continues to make headway.”

“On behalf of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, I extend my gratitude to our incredible Providence students and teachers for their dedication and hard work,” said RIFTHP President and former Providence Teachers Union President Maribeth Calabro. “Our teachers remain committed to working tirelessly to ensure our students and families succeed, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners to ensure Providence schools remain on the right path.”

Compared to 2019 accountability results prior to the State intervention, the percentage of Providence students learning in CSI schools, a federal designation for the State’s lowest performing schools, decreased from 37.5% to 29.3% in 2024. This represents a decrease from 13 CSI schools in 2019 to nine currently and accounts for approximately 3,000 fewer Providence students learning in CSI schools. The five schools that exited CSI this year include: 

  • Harry Kizirian Elementary, 
  • Mary Fogarty Elementary School, 
  • Nathanael Greene Middle School, 
  • West Broadway Middle School, 
  • and the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC). 

Star ratings, under Rhode Island’s Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan, help schools and districts assess areas of strength as well as areas where improvement is needed. Ratings reflect measures including achievement and growth, school quality and student success, English Language Proficiency, graduation rates, and diploma measures.

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. 

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