William D’Abate Elementary School, located in the Olneyville neighborhood, was one of three new or like-new schools reopened by Providence Public School District in fall 2023 after an extensive renovation that modernized the entire facility. The D’Abate project is part of a $1 billion long-term facilities plan to upgrade Providence Public Schools and raise the percentage of students learning in high-quality learning spaces from 5% to 100%.
At D’Abate Elementary School, the reconstruction of the 40,000 square facility now offers students and staff shared learning spaces, a 21st-century library/media center, a pre-kindergarten wing, and an elevator tower for increased accessibility. The facility includes energy efficiency systems, enhanced filtration, water efficient fixtures, and low emitting materials.
The renovation also reflects Providence’s sustainability goals, with D'Abate being named a 2024 Green Ribbon awardee by the U.S. Department of Education. Recipients are nationally recognized as some of America’s most successful educational institutions in reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness of students and staff, and providing effective sustainability education. n addition to benefiting students, the new D’Abate Elementary serves as a central community space, reflecting Providence’s commitment to creating schools that are hubs for both education and neighborhood engagement.