Walk around any high school in Rhode Island and you will see students experimenting with their identity. For some students it takes the form of a new make-up style, a popped collar, or a pair of ripped jeans. However, for many young adults, the path to figuring out who they are and how they fit into the world around them is an internal journey. The search for identity asks us to peel back layers, expose vulnerabilities, and recognize the similarities to and differences from our peers. For adolescents, that can be not only confusing, but also uncomfortable. Whether figuring out how the color of their skin affects how they are treated, how they do or don’t conform to a gender stereotype, or what role their faith plays in their friend groups, elements of identity are factors in every conversation and interaction. One of the most common and troubling sentiments for a high school student is to feel alienated and alone in his/her experience—to feel that he/she is the only one who doesn’t have everything figured out. In an age when advertising and social media highlight reels are streaming a fabricated view of perfection 24/7, how can a teen ever know that others are struggling to figure it all out too? In order for kids to develop the self confidence and empathy that will inform a successful life, it is imperative that we help them engage in deep and meaningful conversations about identity—their own and others’.
Some elements of identity are easier to discuss with young adults than others. Taste in music, sports and classwork are often the go-to topics when adults interact with teens. These are important elements of most children’s identities, and are good building blocks for conversation. When we ask specific questions about what young people are doing and thinking, we are asking them to articulate who they are becoming and who they want to be. We give them an opportunity to process their growing sense of self with an adult whom they trust. On the flip side, if we only discuss what teens disclose without prompting, we risk making assumptions based on heavily edited content. We get only part of the story—a part that can mask the real answers.
Stanford University Professor of Education, David F. Labaree, maintains that there are three main goals of education: “democratic equality” (preparing students as citizens), “social efficiency” (preparing students for the work force), and “social mobility” (preparing students to compete for social positions).” Historically, formal education in the U.S. has aimed to prepare citizens and train workers. More recently, however, the goal of social mobility has moved to the forefront of educational reform efforts. The abilities to navigate social dynamics, work collaboratively, and apply oneself toward clear objectives have become increasingly important to companies who are hiring the newest members of the workforce. These are the skills that schools and parents must teach their children now. Although social mobility was not traditionally linked to the ability to navigate within diverse groups of people, it is indisputably connected now. One need only look at current events on college campuses around the country and the sources of conflict throughout the world to appreciate the importance of understanding those around us. The question then is, how can we best equip our children with this understanding and the ability to be socially nimble?
Race is the biggest elephant in the room and the takeaways can be universally applied to all manners of self-discovery. Over the last year, media coverage of racial tension in the United States has escalated and brought new conversations to the dinner table. When a child makes a comment about race at home, it is likely to be uncomfortable. Many parents of today’s teens grew up believing that the goal is to be colorblind, that we are all human, and much more alike than we are different. While it is true that we are all human, studies show that pretending we don’t see racial differences is not only ineffective for increasing understanding and reducing racial tension, but it also inhibits our children’s growth and undermines our society. If we pretend racial differences don’t matter, we deny children of all races their sense identity and squander important opportunities to repair historical inequities. Rather than shying away from conversations about differences, we would be well served to acknowledge the awkwardness, lean into it, and wrestle with it openly. When children see their parents share their own insecurities and uncertainties, they are much more willing to follow suit. It is only by respectful discourse that we can begin to frame our own identity and perspective and understand the identity and perspective of others. Only then can we even think about narrowing the social gaps.
It is important to acknowledge that talking about race with children of color is different than talking about race with white children. Conversations about race tend to find their way to the dinner table sooner and more often for families of color. Associate director of the Wellesley Centers for Women, Peggy McIntosh, points out repeatedly, that it is a privilege of light skinned people to choose when and where to think and talk about race. Yet, conversations about race are not only applicable to those negatively affected by societal beliefs. Katy Swalwell, of Iowa State University, outlines the importance of social justice education among privileged populations. Swalwell argues for “schooling that is intended to disrupt cycles of inequality by educating privileged students to be justice-oriented citizens.” In order to raise children who are prepared to deal with the racial structure they are inheriting, and make the world a better place, it is imperative that we engage them in hard and often uncomfortable conversations now.
Finding art, literature, YouTube icons, and adults in your child’s life that reflect a diversity of experiences is crucial to helping them succeed in our global society. Images of people who do not fit a societal stereotype or expectation help break down the myths that we may take for granted. When it comes to identity and complex questions of gender, race, sexual orientation, socio-economics, politics, religion, and personal beliefs, young people are more willing to talk than we might think. Take a look at the Speak Up program, in which students openly discuss their search for identity. In a similar manner, “Out of the Blue” was written, edited, and published by students and alumni from Phillips Academy. The collected stories illustrate the conflict between fitting in and being true to one’s identity. When young adults see how others have navigated diverse paths, they acquire tools to navigate their own. Teens may start to understand that everyone is searching in one way or another. That perfect student on the other side of the room? Struggling. That iconic YouTube star? Searching. Fueling the conversations and fanning the fire is hard, but it’s good, and it allows our children to find camaraderie and similarity alongside the differences. The hard conversations allow them to grow and learn, and most importantly, they help young people figure out who they want to be in this world.
Claim to Fame: School principal Scott Sutherland was named Rhode Island Principal of the Year in 2014 by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals.
Claim to Fame: A structure based on the Diploma Plus Model fosters positive relationships between parents, students, teachers, and administrators and creates powerful learning experiences that will motivate students to grow and succeed.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Peter Kilmartin (Rhode Island state representative and current attorney general), Kevin Lima (Disney animator and film director of the films A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, 102 Dalmatians, Eloise at the Plaza, Eloise at Christmastime, and Enchanted), and Abraham Nathanson (developer of the game Bananagrams).
Claim to Fame: Times 2 Academy constantly exposes its students to guest speakers, internship opportunities, college fairs and job shadowing opportunities to encourage their students to embrace their futures.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include David Macaulay (author and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator), Aaron Fricke (gay rights activist), Johnny Goryl (MLB player for Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins), Jon LaRose (MLB player for Boston Red Sox), Daniel Stewart (first openly gay elected mayor in New York State history-Mayor of Plattsburgh, New York), Linda Nochlin (leading abstract expressionist artist), Peter and Bobby John Farrelly (film directors, producers, authors), Suzanne Martin (Emmy-award winning television producer), and Annette Nazareth (a Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Jamie Silva (Indianapolis Colts free safety), Claudia Jordan (model and reality TV star), T.J. Del Santo (Meterologist at WPRI-TV), Brent Martineau (Sportscaster), David Franklin (Scientist/Entrepreneur), Kim Schifino (Musician in Matt and Kim), Jennifer Lee (co-writer of Disney’s Wreck It Ralph).
Claim to Fame: Central Fall’s Chess Team has experienced incredible success and finished in the top 10 at a national tournament that had over 5,000 competitors, as well as receiving funding from star powerhouses such as Alec Baldwin’s Foundation.
Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts
2013 Rank: #23
Enrollment: 167
Claim to Fame: The schools shares prestigious artistic patnerships with RISD, Sandra-Feinstein Gamm Theatre, Fusionworks Dance Company, Athletics, Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club, Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, and Aurea.
Claim to Fame: Famous athletic alumni include Tom Mellow (played in the NHL, won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics), Vinny Pazienza (former World Champion professional boxer), Mike Stenhouse (played in the MLB for the Expos and Boston Red Sox), Curt Bennett (an All-Star NHL player), Joe Cavanagh (Captained Harvard University’s hockey and tennis teams), Ray Jamieson (Oakland Raider’s fullback), Greg Oden (New England Champion Springboard Diver).
Claim to Fame: The school offers a Entrepreneur 360 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a 60-hour program for students supported by NFTE. Students learn about the concepts and the skills necessary to create a business, sharpen their work ethic and help grow their confidence.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Mark van Eeghen (former NFL Pro Bowl running back and the only person ever from Cranston West to have their number retired in any sport), Anthony Meo (baseball player), Jeff Diehl (baseball player), Tom Denucci (actor), Amber van Eeghen (former cheerleader for the New England Patriots).
Claim to Fame: The school sports a School Improvement Team that brings staff, students, community members, and parents together once a month to have their voices heard concerning how the school can be tailored for success.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include James Woods (Emmy-award winning actor), Chris Terreri (College All-American, Olympian, and two time Stanley Cup winning NHL goalie), Patrick Sheehan (PGA professional golfer), Dan Wheeler (Major League Baseball pitcher).
William M. Davies Career and Technical High School
2013 Rank: #29
Enrollment: 833
Mascot: Patriots
Claim to Fame: Davies ensures that Parents are heavily involved in the curriculum through the Parent Involvement Policy, which is a program supporting the development, implementation, and regular evaluation that includes parents in all grade levels.
Claim to Fame: The school is heated entirely by recycled wood chips in order to preserve the environment. The school also sports an Energy Lab that enables students to develop career pathways in stem agriculture. Their colors are green, and so is their mindset.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Bill Almon (baseball player) and Damian Constantino (baseball player, holds NCAA record holder with hits in 60 consecutive games).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include John Orlando Pastore (Former Governor of Rhode Island, US Senator), S. J. Perelman (American Humorist) Bruce Sundlun (Former Governor of RI), Rudolph Fisher (pioneering Black radiologist and writer of the Harlem Renaissance), Irving R. Levine (Former NBC News Economics Correspondent), Frank Licht (Former Governor of RI), George Macready (American actor), A.O. Scott (Chief New York Times Movie Critic), Stanley Fish (Literary theorist and legal scholar), Michael Kang (Filmmaker), C. M. Eddy, Jr. (Renowned Author), Lauren Corrao (Comedy Central executive; helped develop That '70s Show and Mad TV for Fox),William A. Barnett (Economist), Robin Green (Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning television producer for The Sopranos and Northern Exposure, among others), S. Hastings Richardson (Author) Alexander Knight (Poet), Angel Taveras (First Latino Mayor of Providence).
Claim to Fame: Janice Anderson (Assistant Production Manager of Cirque de Soleil), Tom Cavanagh (Forward, Worcester Sharks), Sara DeCosta (Goalie, 1998 and 2002 U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team),Tony Petrarca (Chief Meteorologist, WPRI-TV), Brian Shanley (President of Providence College), David Petrarca (Director whose work has included Big Love, True Blood, and Hung for HBO; over 40 world premieres including Marvin’s Room on Broadway and West End, Fuddy Meers in NYC, and A Year With Frog and Toad on Broadway).
Claim to Fame: Students have the opportunity to bask in the spotlight in the Husky News Network, a student news organization where students can serve as anchors, camera men, and content writers.
Claim to Fame: Famous alums including Bebe Buell (model, singer, mother of actress Liv Tyler), The Cowsills (family singing act that was the inspiration for TV’s The Partridge Family), Tanya Donelly (co-founder and guitarist of the band Throwing Muses), Joanna Going (actress) Paul Gordon (keyboardist and guitarist for the B-52’s and the Goo Goo Dolls), Kristin Hersh (co-founder of Throwing Muses), P.H. Horgan III (PGA Tour player), Van Johnson (actor), John Mellekas (professional football player), David Narcizo (drummer for the band Throwing Muses), M. Teresa Paiva-Weed (President of the Rhode Island Senate), Jerry Sullivan (sports columnist at The Buffalo News), Noah Jewell (Olympic gymnast).
Claim to Fame: Students have the opportunity to work in The Confucius Classroom, a public educational institute established in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Bryant University under the sponsorship of Hanban. The classroom is dedicated to developing globally competent students through an understanding Chinese culture, language, and economic trends.
Claim to Fame: Middletown High School has enacted a specific Professional Learning Community in 2013, a program geared to make fundamental shift from focusing on teaching to an area of learning where students and teachers collaborate.
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Dr. Thomas DiPaola (Education leader in RI), Henry Nardone, Sr. (Member of URI Foundation, RI Board of Regents), Dennis Algiere (Current RI Senate Minority Leader), Dr. John Toscano, (Chairman of Dept. of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University), Daryl Finizio (Lawyer, New London Mayoral candidate, Westerly City Council), Peter Lewiss (RI State rep, judge, lawyer) Diana Blanda (Actress/Singer).
Claim to Fame: Scituate High School’s “Schools for Schools” club has raised thousands of dollars for Invisible Children to help Uganda defeat the children soldier crisis there.
Claim to Fame:Famous alumni include Bill Reynolds (Providence Journal Sports Columnist), Phil Madeira (Award-winning Songwriter/Musician), Judy Clapp (Recording Engineer who has worked with Dwight Yoakham and Bill Frisell) Brian Howe (film and television actor) Marceline Hugot (a film, television and Broadway actress) Brett Quigley (PGA golfer) Shanna Moakler (Former Miss USA, Playboy Magazine model and ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker/star of MTV’s Meet The Barkers), Spalding Gray (Monologuist/Actor) Matthew Broome (New England Amateur Golf Champion).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Donald Carcieri (Governor of RI), Suzanne Carcieri (First Lady of RI), Debra Messing (Actress), Mark Zito (Radio Host) and Leeann Tingley (2006 Miss Rhode Island USA).
Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include David Cicilline (US Congressman and former Mayor of Providence) and John DeCubellis (lawyer/judge, General Counsel to National Education Association RI).