The Providence Public School District has been engaging families, teachers, and administrators to collect meaningful input for the development of five redesign applications. During the 2022-23 school year, the five redesign schools engaged in a rigorous and data-driven process to redesign their academic programs. Each school was represented by its own redesign team which consisted of Community Advisory Board members (CAB), school administrators, teachers, family members, and District staff. We are ready to accelerate the work to meet the community's vision for Providence’s redesign schools.

The District’s student body is a diverse, multilingual community of learners who yearn for schools that cultivate and invest in their interests, talents, and identities. Through the redesign process, the District is creating new school options that meet student and family interests and prepare students for success in their post-secondary careers. The redesign teams engaged in frequent working sessions and writing retreats to analyze school data and collect stakeholder input to determine a focus area that would best fit each individual school and crafted around students' needs. 

Each redesign school will host an information night for 8th grade or 5th grade students and families. Principals and school staff will share updates on their redesign plans and provide opportunities for students to learn more about current and upcoming academic programs. Interpretation services will be provided. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Will my student need to go to a new school?
   Current students and families at redesign schools will continue matriculation at their current school. Each redesign school will engage in a “phase-in” process through SY 2026-27. The Class of 2028 (SY 2024-25) will be the first full redesign cohort. That being said, all students will immediately benefit from investments and programs related to school redesign (see below).
   
   

2. How will this impact my student(s)?
   All students will benefit from redesign, as it includes innovative teaching methods such as project-based learning and opportunities to participate in internships and college and career pathways. There will be exploratory options for all students within their current school.
   
   

3. Are redesign schools considered charter schools?
   No, redesign schools are traditional public schools with additional programmatic offerings. There is no affiliation with the charter lottery system.
   
   

4. Do redesign schools charge tuition or any other fees for enrollment?
   No, redesign schools are traditional public schools and do not charge tuition or fees.

5. How will my student(s) know their options for middle and high school?
   PPSD is a choice district and families will still be provided a Choice Fair. Additionally, PPSD will provide all families impacted by redesign with 2023-24 SY enrollment intent/interest forms.  
   
   

6. What will each school look like? What will be the same? What will be different?
   Each school will hold orientation meetings, information sessions and town halls to provide more specific details and information about their timeline, focus area and themes. More information will be coming out in the next month.
   
   

7. Do all students have to participate in the redesign school’s theme and focus area?
   Each school includes pathways and multiple learning options for students to choose from that will align to their individual talents and interests.
   
   

8. How will the District inform stakeholders on the updates and how can staff, students, families, and community members be involved?
   The district will share monthly updates on the website and stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions through information sessions and surveys. 

9. Do redesign schools have different graduation requirements?
   No, all redesign schools share the same graduation requirements as other schools in the District. 
   
   

10. How can I learn more and get involved?
    Please check this page frequently for updates. You can also reach out to your redesign school principal to learn more and ask to attend your school’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) and School Improvement Team (SIT) meetings. For additional questions, please reach out to Redesign@ppsd.org.