Providence, RI — State, city and school leaders gathered Wednesday morning to break ground on the new Robert F. Kennedy PK-8 School. The $75 million project will replace the former Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School with a vibrant, multi-story facility serving an estimated 858 students.

The new school will expand educational opportunities by adding Pre-K programming and middle school grades, creating a unified PreK-8 community–a research based model shown to support stronger academic outcomes and success.

“The PreK-8 model will allow students to learn, grow and thrive within the same community for longer,” said Superintendent Javier Montañez. “Every aspect of the design for the new Robert F. Kennedy School has been carefully planned to support academic excellence, foster creativity, and prepare students for future success.”

The Robert F. Kennedy PK-8 School will feature purpose-built spaces for every grade level as well as collaborative learning spaces and innovative outdoor learning areas. Major site enhancements will include improved traffic flow, safer bus drop-off and welcoming green spaces.

Construction is already underway. Demolition of the existing building is complete, and debris removal continues as crews prepare the site for foundation work, which is expected to begin in July.

During the ongoing work, students will be learning at Esek Hopkins Middle School. The new school is scheduled to open in 2027.

“The groundbreaking for the reconstruction of Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School marks another major milestone in the once-in-a-generation transformation of Providence Public Schools, happening in close partnership with the state,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Through strong collaboration across state and city government during the intervention, we have delivered on our promise to expand access to modern, safe, and welcoming spaces that support high-quality teaching and learning. I look forward to returning to celebrate the opening of the new RFK PK–8 school upon its completion.”

"Today is an exciting day as we break ground on the new Robert F. Kennedy PK-8 School," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "Every student in Providence deserves a world-class education, and today's groundbreaking brings us one step closer to that goal. This project reflects our City's ongoing commitment to investing in every child and ensuring Providence schools create opportunities that ensure every student succeeds."

“We are literally building a better tomorrow for our students here in Providence,” said Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14). “Investing in new and like-new facilities like the new Robert F. Kennedy PreK-8 School shows our children how much they matter to us, and there is no better way to ensure a bright future for our city than by giving our students every resource they need to thrive.”

“These moments matter,” said School Board President Ty’Relle Stephens. “They remind us that progress is possible when people come together around a common purpose. Today’s groundbreaking at RFK is an investment in our children, in their dreams, and in the future of Providence. Our students deserve great schools, and this is another step forward in making that vision a reality.”

“New buildings and infrastructure show students and educators that they matter and that they deserve a modern, beautiful space in which to teach and learn every day,” said Providence Teachers Union President Lindsay Paiva. “It is our hope that in addition to new physical spaces, the district collaborates with PTU on integrating best practices around wraparound services and investment in staffing to make the K-8 models a success moving forward.”

Providence Public Schools is committed to providing a world-class education for all students, preparing them for success in college, career, and life. The Robert F. Kennedy PreK-8 construction is part of an ambitious $1 billion school facilities improvement plan to make sure every student can learn in a new or “like-new” school by 2030. This is possible due to historic state reimbursement incentives that allow up to 90% of eligible costs to be covered.