RI Speaker, Reps Visit Worcester Tech for Ideas to Improve Tech Ed
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Speaker, Reps Visit Worcester Tech for Ideas to Improve Tech Ed
House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello, Rep. Lisa P. Tomasso (D-Dist. 29), Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73) and Rep. Patricia L. Morgan (R-Dist. 26) visited the facility to get a firsthand look at a technical school that has received national attention for its innovative programs, community and business partnerships and its remarkable turnaround from one of its city’s lowest-performing schools to one of the best in the country.
The legislators, who were joined by Rhode Island small-business leaders Gary Ezovski of Lincoln Environmental Properties in North Smithfield, Ronald Caniglia of STAND Corporation in Warwick, and Robert Baldwin of R.B. Homes in Lincoln, toured the school to gather ideas that could be used to help Rhode Island technical schools achieve similar success.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST24 career and technical programs
Worcester Technical High offers 24 career and technical programs that include bio-science, allied health, veterinary, automobile, telecommunications, electrical, construction, cosmetology, carpentry, plumbing and advanced manufacturing services. Its $90 million, 400,000-square-foot campus includes features such as a public veterinary clinic partnered with Tufts University, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and large-scale graphic-design equipment. The school’s campus includes many facilities that serve the public, and the school partners with local businesses, nonprofits and higher-education institutions to allow students real-world learning opportunities.
Principal Dr. Sheila Harrity – the 2014 MetLife National Association of Secondary School Principals National High School Principal of the Year and a Providence College graduate – told the group about the progress that has put their school on the map, most notably its 96-percent graduation rate, up from 35 percent in 2006. In 2006, only 27 percent of the school’s students were proficient in English and 35 percent in math, while in 2013 the students reached 92 percent proficiency in English and 84 percent in math. Now, 77 percent of its graduates go on to college.
Top public education facility
The school was recognized in 2006 by School Planning and Management magazine, rating the facility as the No. 1 public education facility in the nation, and in 2011, the school was selected as a MetLife National Association of Secondary School Principals Breakthrough School, a distinction given to five high schools from across the country for outstanding student growth in high-poverty areas. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited the school last month to hail its success, and President Obama, who has called for strengthened career and technical education, is slated to give the school’s commencement address this June.
“It was great to see a successful combination of excellent college-preparatory courses and career technical learning provided to students,” said Speaker Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston). “This school is an incredible example of the opportunities that become available to students when schools reach out to the community and forge relationships with businesses, universities and other organizations.”
The Most and Least Diverse High Schools in Rhode Island
#49 Ponaganset HS
North Scituate, RI
Total enrollment: 722
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: <1%
Black: <1%
Hispanic: <1%
Two or more races: 0.0%
White: 99%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#48 Scituate HS
Scituate, RI
Total enrollment: 491
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Two or more races: 0.0%
White: 97.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#47 Tiverton HS
Tiverton, RI
Total enrollment: 570
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 1.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 95%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#46 Coventry HS
Coventry, RI
Total enrollment: 1,694
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 2.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 95.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#45 Burrillville HS
Burrillville, RI
Total enrollment: 700
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 2.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 95.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#44 Exeter-West Greenwich
West Greenwich, RI
Total enrollment: 652
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 3.0%
Two or more races: 0.0%
White: 95.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#43 Chariho Regional HS
Wood River Junction, RI
Total enrollment: 1,136
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 2.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 94.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#42 North Kingstown HS
North Kingstown, RI
Total enrollment: 1,454
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 3.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 93.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#41 Mt. Hope HS
Bristol, RI
Total enrollment: 1,031
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 4.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 92.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#40 Narragansett HS
Narragansett, RI
Total enrollment: 462
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 4.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 92.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#39 Barrington HS
Barrington, RI
Total enrollment: 1,037
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 5.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 1.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 92.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#38 Smithfield Senior HS
Smithfield, RI
Total enrollment: 772
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 3.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 92.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#37 Portsmouth HS
Portsmouth, RI
Total enrollment: 974
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 3.0%
Hispanic: 2.0%
Two or more races: 0.0%
White: 92.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#36 Lincoln Senior HS
Lincoln, RI
Total enrollment: 1,067
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 6.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 91.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#35 North Smithfield HS
North Smithfield, RI
Total enrollment: 550
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 5.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 91.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#34 Warwick Vets HS
Warwick Veterans Memorial HS, Warwick RI
Total enrollment: 992
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 5.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 89.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#33 Toll Gate HS
Warwick, RI
Total enrollment: 982
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 3.0%
Hispanic: 6.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 87.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#32 Pilgrim HS
Warwick, RI
Total enrollment: 1,078
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 7.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 86.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#31 South Kingstown HS
South Kingstown, RI
Total enrollment: 1,095
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 3.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 4.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 86.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#30 Cranston HS West
Cranston, RI
Total enrollment: 1,629
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 8.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 85.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#29 East Greenwich HS
East Greenwich, RI
Total enrollment: 766
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 6.0%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 5.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 85.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#28 Westerly HS
Westerly, RI
Total enrollment: 941
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 6.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 4.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 85.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#27 Cumberland HS
Cumberland, RI
Total enrollment: 1,403
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 8.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 84.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#26 West Warwick HS
West Warwick Senior HS, West Warwick, RI
Total enrollment: 982
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 3.0%
Hispanic: 11.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 82.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#25 Johnston Senior HS
Johnston, RI
Total enrollment: 903
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 5.0%
Hispanic: 13.0%
Two or more races: 0.0%
White: 80.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#24 Beacon Charter HS
Beacon Charter High School For The Arts, Woonsocket, RI
Total enrollment: 230
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 6.0%
Hispanic: 10.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 80.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#23 Middletown HS
Middletown, RI
Total enrollment: 737
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 7.0%
Hispanic: 9.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 78.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#22 East Providence HS
East Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 1,564
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 13.0%
Hispanic: 5.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 77.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#21 Acad. for Career Exp.
Academy for Career Exploration, Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 207
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 18.0%
Hispanic: 75.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 4.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#20 Central Falls HS
Central Falls, RI
Total enrollment: 838
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Black: 15.0%
Hispanic: 74.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 10.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#19 Cooley Health/Science
Cooley Health & Science Technology Academy, Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 717
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 5.0%
Black: 16.0%
Hispanic: 74.0%
Two or more races: 1.0%
White: 3.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#18 North Providence HS
North Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 998
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 8.0%
Hispanic: 16.0%
Two or more races: 0.0%
White: 72.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#17 Times 2 Academy
Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 652
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 32.0%
Hispanic: 55.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 6.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#16 Central HS
Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 1,101
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 8.0%
Black: 16.0%
Hispanic: 70.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 3.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#15 Mt. Pleasant HS
Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 884
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 4.0%
Black: 24.0%
Hispanic: 62.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 6.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#14 Prov. Career & Tech
Providence Career & Technical Academy, Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 568
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 5.0%
Black: 16.0%
Hispanic: 69.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 7.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#13 Dr. Jorge Alvarez HS
Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School, Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 563
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 9.0%
Black: 15.0%
Hispanic: 69.0%
Two or more races: 2.0%
White: 4.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#12 E-Cubed Academy
Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 360
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 29.0%
Hispanic: 54.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 10.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#11 Hope Arts School
Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 1,035
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 6.0%
Black: 25.0%
Hispanic: 56.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 9.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#10 Woonsocket HS
Woonsocket, RI
Total enrollment: 1,736
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 6.0%
Black: 11.0%
Hispanic: 27.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 52.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#9 Shea Senior HS
Pawtucket, RI
Total enrollment: 905
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 46.0%
Hispanic: 33.0%
Two or more races: 5.0%
White: 14.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#8 Cranston HS East
Cranston, RI
Total enrollment: 1,587
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 10.0%
Black: 7.0%
Hispanic: 32.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 47.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#7 Blackstone Academy
Blackstone Academy Charter School, Pawtucket, RI
Total enrollment: 165
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 21.0%
Hispanic: 57.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 15.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#6 Jacqueline M. Walsh
Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Pawtucket, RI
Total enrollment: 167
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 0.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 14.0%
Hispanic: 28.0%
Two or more races: 6.0%
White: 50.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#5 Rogers HS
Newport, RI
Total enrollment: 587
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 2.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 25.0%
Hispanic: 20.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 49.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#4 The MET School
The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 868
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 2.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.0%
Black: 15.0%
Hispanic: 42.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 35.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#3 Davies Career & Tech
Davies Career & Technical High School, Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 833
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 6.0%
Black: 13.0%
Hispanic: 39.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
White: 38.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#2 William E. Tolman HS
William E. Tolman Senior High School, Pawtucket, RI
Total enrollment: 1,050
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1.0%
Black: 18.0%
Hispanic: 37.0%
Two or more races: 6.0%
White: 37.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
#1 Classical HS
Providence, RI
Total enrollment: 1,113
Percentage of total enrollment
Amer Indian/Alaskan: 1.0%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 9.0%
Black: 16.0%
Hispanic: 46.0%
Two or more races: 3.0%
White: 26.0%
Click here for this school's ranking on GoLocalProv's Top High Schools 2013
