ACADEMICS / PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

Registration
A child must be at least five years old on or before December 31 of the enrollment year to be eligible for kindergarten, completion of which is required for entrance into first grade. Registration for all grade levels is usually in the spring and summer. Contact your local school district for exact locations and dates.

Requirements for registration include a birth certificate and proof of immunizations as required by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Records must be complete and signed by a physician or designee. State law prohibits children to attend public school without compliance or exemption.

Proof of residency for newcomers can take the form of a voter registration card, rent receipt, lease agreement, utility bills, Rhode Island drivers license, or housing office letter for active military personnel.

A complete medical history with recent physical exam is also required. Guardians must provide a court document or legal custody papers. For more information on public education in Rhode Island or answers to any specific questions you may have, contact:

Rhode Island Department of Education
255 Westminster Street
Providence 401-222-4600
https://ride.ri.gov/

Charter Schools
Operating independently from many of the state and local district regulations and rules, charter schools are tuition-free, public schools that are organized and operated under a charter with the Department of Education. These schools are encouraged to pursue innovative educational strategies designed to meet specific student achievement goals and objectives.

For more information on charter schools, contact:

Charter School Information
Department of Education
Providence 401-222-8399
https://ride.ri.gov/students-families/ri-public-schools/charter-schools

Assessment & Testing
The Rhode Island assessment program requires state testing of all public school students in designated grades in English language arts, mathematics, and health. Schools and districts rely on these test results to evaluate student performance and also to close low-performance gaps. For complete information on testing and standards in Rhode Island, contact:

Standards, Instruction &         
Student Assessment
Providence 401-222-8490
https://ride.ri.gov/instruction-assessment

Adult & Technical Education
Rhode Island provides many opportunities for students of all ages to continue their education, learn valuable new skills, train for specific career paths, or secure a GED certificate. For complete information on the wide variety of programs that are available for adults and high school students, contact the appropriate office:

Adult Education
Department of Education
Providence 401-222-8950
https://ride.ri.gov/

Career & Technical Education
Department of Education
Providence 401-222-4600
https://ride.ri.gov/students-families/education-programs/career-technical-education