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Providence Public Schools to Host Annual School Choice Fair Nov. 16 For Current Pre-K, 5th Grade, and 8th Grade Students
PROVIDENCE, RI – Tomorrow, the Providence Public School District (PPSD) will be hosting its annual School Choice Fair for rising kindergartners, rising sixth graders, and rising ninth graders, to provide all families a chance to learn about the different schools in PPSD. Parents and students will also be able to learn more about our five redesign schools.
“The School Choice Fair is a great opportunity for Providence students and their families to explore the exciting schools and opportunities in our District,” said PPSD Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “It’s important to be aware of the different academic and extracurricular choices that each school has to offer, learn about the dynamic five school redesign program, and be informed about which one would be the best fit for them and their educational needs.”
This year’s School Choice Fair will be held on Thursday, November 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Providence Career and Technical Academy (PCTA), 41 Fricker Street. The event will feature tables for each PPSD school, staffed by building administrators with informational materials. Live interpretation services will also be available. While learning about the different schools, attendees will be able to enjoy free food and student entertainment.
“One of the key pillars of Providence’s Turnaround Action Plan to improve outcomes for students is community engagement, and the School Choice Fair being hosted at PCTA offers inclusive opportunities for all families to learn more about their PPSD school options and find their best fit. We invite students and families to join us to learn more about the schools and programs Providence Public Schools has to offer,” said Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green.
Current Pre-K, 5th grade, and 8th grade students in PPSD will have the chance to choose which school they would like to attend for the next school year. As a general rule, 80 percent of any school’s enrollment is drawn from its immediate neighborhood, while 20 percent of seats are reserved for non-neighborhood families. Siblings of older students already enrolled at a school receive preference.
The District uses a lottery system to assign seats to each school. To participate in the lottery families will need to submit their choices in February 2024. School choice forms are distributed to families in January and the lottery placement is announced late March.
The lottery for school placement does not apply to schools with special entrance requirements, such as Classical High School, PCTA, and select other schools.
Families with questions regarding the School Choice Fair should reach out to Family Community and Engagement (FACE) Office by calling 401-456-0686 or emailing face@ppsd.org. Families can also learn more on the District’s website at https://www.providenceschools.org/schoolchoice.
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