For Immediate Release Press Contact: Katelyn Silva, Chief Communications Officer Rhode Island Mayoral Academies (401) 932-5227;
[email protected]
Pawtucket School District and Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Announce District-Charter Collaboration to Personalize Learning for Students
Pawtucket, RI -- This September, more than three hundred high school students enrolled at Pawtucket Learning Academy High School and Blackstone Valley Prep High School along with their teachers will partner for a truly innovative educational journey. The two Rhode Island high schools are partnering with Summit Public Schools, a leader in providing its students with a personalized experience. Summit is sharing its tools, curriculum and resources, as well as providing two weeks of professional development. This partnership promotes the opportunity to create a rich learning experience that allows every child to realize his or her highest potential. This experience is focused on the key elements of college & career readiness that set students up for success both academically and with the life and social skills they need. Superintendent Patti DiCenso, a long-time champion of personalized learning, shared "We are excited to partner with Blackstone Valley Prep High School and Summit Public Schools to implement this personalized learning opportunity. Pawtucket teachers, students and families are committed every day to maximize the learning experience by embracing multiple individualized instructional strategies." Pawtucket has seen its high school graduation rate soar 20 points in recent years. This learning experience focuses on the skills needed for college and career readiness. Key elements of the program include deeper learning that allows students to engage in projects that mimic and solve real-world problems, as well as a focus on 1:1 mentoring to help students learn how to plan, organize and prioritize their learning based on their individual needs and goals. Students also develop the skills to drive and own their learning, invaluable developing the habits and behaviors that lead to academic and personal success. Students at Pawtucket Learning Academy and BVP High School will use technology on a daily basis to research, publish, collaborate, and monitor progress. Every student will have access to a Chromebook, enabling them to access the curriculum outside their classroom walls. “Indeed, 21st century learning demands experience and mastery of 21st century tools” declared Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “To see our traditional public school and a public charter high school partnering to impact teaching and learning for our diverse learners in Pawtucket is
exciting. It is an example of the kind of innovation and partnering we want to continue to encourage in our community.” Summit will host team members from both schools for professional development sessions this week and again over the summer as well as throughout the 2015-16 school year. The partnership developed in part thanks to a joint learning tour this spring to Summit Public Schools, sponsored by Rhode Island Mayoral Academies (RIMA). Jeremy Chiappetta, Executive Director of Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy and Pawtucket resident is thrilled to be joining the Pawtucket School Department on this journey. “The opportunity for BVP to learn with and from Pawtucket is phenomenal. This is a great opportunity to help model what public education can look like throughout Rhode Island.”
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About Pawtucket School District Pawtucket is the fourth largest district in Rhode Island and serves just over 9,000 students in sixteen schools. A culturally diverse community, Pawtucket School District’s mission is provide for all students, prior to graduation, the ability to proficiently meet academic, social and civic expectations. The Pawtucket Learning Academy is a program focused on meeting the needs of diverse learners who have not been successful in the traditional academic setting. About Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP) Mayoral Academy is a network of tuition-free public schools chartered by the Rhode Island Department of Education. As a growing, intentionally diverse network that is part of the Charter School Growth Fund portfolio, BVP offers a high quality public school choice to the families of Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln and Pawtucket and currently serves over 1,000 scholars in grades K-9. A member of the Rhode Island Mayoral Academies network, BVP's mission is to prepare every scholar for success in college and the world beyond. More information can be found at www.blackstonevalleyprep.org.
