Read our detailed new report examining the condition of each of the district’s 40 school buildings. The report, authored by facilities consultant Downes Construction, , is designed to guide decisions regarding how to best invest the approximately $500 million in facilities funding Providence Schools has available to create 21st Century learning environments for the most possible students.

Key Findings of the Report Include:

• Providence’s 40 school buildings have over $900 million in deficiencies. It would cost over $2 billion to rebuild all of Providence’s schools.
• This deficiency cost has increased by approximately $300 million, from $600 million in 2017 to $900 million at present.
• Mt. Pleasant High School alone has $151 million in deficiencies – more than all other Providence high schools combined.
• The average age of all Providence schools is approximately 70 years old.
• Like national trends, the Providence Public School District has experienced an enrollment decline of more than 3,000 students – the equivalent of the size of Johnston Public Schools – in recent years and is projected to see an additional enrollment decline of more than 3,000 students by the 2030 school year.

Elementary Schools:

• A significant number are at “replacement level” with many lacking green spaces and other features needed for 21st Century learning.
  • Elementary schools have an average Facility Condition Index (FCI) of 57%, which is near replacement level of 60%+.
  • The sites have challenges like high traffic streets at drop off, outdated classroom layouts, stairs and entrances that aren’t suitable for our youngest students.

Middle Schools:

• Middle schools are the oldest and lowest rated buildings, with their large size requiring significant investment just to make them “warm, safe, and dry.”
  • Five of seven are near replacement level and would require an average of $41.3 million per building in basic repairs to meet the “warm, safe, and dry” standard.
  • The average age of Providence middle school buildings is 88 years old. With the exception of DelSesto (built in 1999), all other middle schools are more than 90 years old.

High Schools:

• There are more newer, higher quality facilities at this grade level with Mt. Pleasant High School being a clear outlier.
  • Mt. Pleasant High School was rated at a replacement level with an FCI of 86% and accounts for $151 million of needed basic repairs – more than the all other high schools combined.
  • The average age of Providence high schools is 50 years.