The Providence Public School Department is the administrative force behind the primary public school district of Providence, Rhode Island. As of December 2017, it serves over 23,000 students in 43 schools, 3 annexes, 2 charter schools, and 2 centers servicing students with disabilities. Providence Public Schools rank third when compared to public schools in New England. Worcester Public and Boston Public are ranked 1st and 2nd. Vision and mission Vision The Providence Public School District will be a national leader in educating urban youth. Mission The Providence Public School District will prepare all students to succeed in the nation’s colleges and universities, and in their chosen professions. History Providence civic leader John Howland established a system of free public education by means of the School Act in 1828. During the 1830s and 1840s, that system grew and prospered, especially in Providence, owing to the exertions of Samuel Bridgham, Nathan Bishop, and Thomas Wilson Dorr. Education specialist Henry Barnard was recruited as the first state commissioner of education until 1849, with the aim of bringing the other towns to the high educational level which had been achieved by Providence. Barnard observed that "the city of Providence has already gained to itself an extended reputation and made itself a bright example to many other cities." List of schools Elementary schools As of the 2022-2023 school year Bailey Carnevale D’Abate Feinstein at Broad Street Feinstein at Sackett Street Fogarty Fortes Frank Spaziano & Annex Gregorian Kennedy King Kizirian Lauro Lima Lima Annex Messer Pleasant View Reservoir Veazie Webster West Young & Woods Middle schools As of the 2022–2023 school year Delsesto Esek Hopkins Gibert Stuart Nathan Bishop Nathanael Greene Roger Willams West Broadway High schools As of the 2022-2023 school year Classical Central Hope Mount Pleasant Juanita Sanchez Complex Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School Providence Career Tech Academy Charter schools Textron Chamber of Commerce Providence Public Charter School The Times2 Academy Highlander Charter School Paul Cuffee Charter School Achievement First Centers servicing students with significant disabilities Harold A. Birch Vocational Program Hope High School Special Education Former schools Brigham St. Charles Vocational Program Windmill Street School Transition Programs Special Education Students are 18-25 ages students some are disabilities on IEP/504 Plan Providence Autism School to Tomorrow Academy (PASTTA) Providence Transition Academy Student achievement Not Making Adequate Yearly Progress According to the 2010–2011 AYP Summary Reports 50% of schools in the district are making