Henry Barnard School to Merge Into PCD Over Next Two Years

Henry Barnard School to Merge Into PCD Over Next Two Years

Henry Barnard School (HBS) -- one of Rhode Island’s most storied elementary schools -- is merging with Providence Country Day.

HBS will remain in its school building/current location for a minimum of two more years and says it anticipates a new elementary school building will be constructed on the campus of PCD in the coming years.

"HBS will be the lower school of PCD but remain in name and program as Henry Barnard School. It essentially marries the two schools," said Rebecca Bromberg, a parent and a spokesperson for HBS. 

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"HBS is in the process of hiring a head of school which will essentially be the head of lower school, operating under Kevin Folan, head of school at PCD," she added.

HBS' name will continue as will its curriculum, collaborative approach and education philosophy. HBS and PCD leadership shared this news with existing families and teachers of both schools last night and had "lots of positive feedback."

This announcement is a course reversal from when GoLocal reported in August of 2020 that HBS -- which is located at and was run by Rhode Island College -- would be closed at the end of this academic year.

After months of refusing to respond to questions from parents and blocking disclosure of information, RIC President Frank Sánchez finally announced that RIC was severing its ties.

In July, GoLocal reported that parents at Henry Barnard were frustrated at what they say was the lack of information about the finances -- and future -- of the school, sent a public record request seeking communications among administrators about their children's school.