NEW: Providence Submits Application for Mayoral Academy
Monday, October 17, 2011
Providence Mayor Angel Taveras in conjunction with Achievement First and Rhode Island Mayoral Academies has submitted an application to the Rhode Island Department of Education to open a Providence-based mayoral academy. The application is supported by Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi.
"I have a deep appreciation for the value and power of a high-quality public education,” stated Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. “The application we have submitted compliments the work to improve public education that is already underway in our school districts – our goal is to employ solutions that will ensure that every child receives the education they need and deserve.”
Under the application, two elementary schools would be operated by Achievement First serving scholars from the communities of Providence, Warwick, North Providence and Cranston. The first school would open in 2013 and the second in 2014. Both schools would begin at the kindergarten and first grade levels and incrementally build out to the 5th grade on a yearly basis. The first school year of operations beginning in 2013 would serve 176 students.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTStudents would be accepted through an open enrollment process from the participating communities. In the event that a school receives more applications than there are seats available, a lottery will be conducted with a preference for students eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch. It is likely the school’s population will be balanced between Providence and the three other participating communities.
“This application marks an enormous step forward in a statewide effort to bring new energy and practices into the way we educate our children,” said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. “I want to thank Governor Chafee for his suggestions, advice and support of this process, which has lead to a new approach that takes into consideration the input and best interests of the participating communities.”
“Achievement First remains committed to opening and supporting high-quality public schools in Rhode Island,” said Reshma Singh, vice president of external relations for Achievement First. “We look forward to becoming part of a broader set of solutions to provide more children in Providence and the surrounding communities with the academic and life skills they need to get into and graduate from college.”
“We are truly excited at the opportunity to bring the mayoral academy model to Providence and work with Mayor Taveras and our partnering mayors. We also have every confidence that Achievement First can replicate their successes in New York and Connecticut in Rhode Island,” stated Christine Lopes, chief strategy officer for the Rhode Island Mayoral Academies. “By expanding the number of partnering school districts, we are minimizing the impact on any one district while growing the coalition of educators we will be able to collaborate with.”
