News Summary
The Providence Public School District recently celebrated a beam raising ceremony for the new Frank D. Spaziano Middle School, marking a significant step in enhancing educational facilities. With a $1 billion plan, the district aims to provide every student with a modern learning environment by 2030. Alongside the new middle school, other projects are underway to improve educational facilities throughout the district, ensuring that students have access to quality education and resources for their academic success.
Providence Celebrates Beam Raising for New Frank D. Spaziano Middle School
The Providence Public School District (PPSD) held a beam raising ceremony on Monday morning for the new Frank D. Spaziano Middle School, marking a critical milestone in the district’s mission to enhance educational facilities for students. The ceremony occurred at Spaziano Elementary School at 11 a.m., with officials, including Mayor Brett Smiley and R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, expected to attend.
The $1 billion school facilities plan put forward by PPSD aims to ensure that every student learns in a new or “like-new” building by 2030. Currently, only 5% of students are enrolled in high-quality school environments. The ambitious projects, including the new Frank D. Spaziano Middle School, aim to increase this percentage to 100% within the next few years.
Project Timeline and Other Initiatives
Ground was first broken for the Frank D. Spaziano Middle School project in December 2024. There is no confirmed opening date for the new school yet; however, it is anticipated to feature advanced environments specifically designed for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education and support dual-language immersion programs.
In addition to the new middle school, construction is also ongoing at the Fogarty PreK-8 campus and the Harry Kizirian PreK-8 School. The Harry Kizirian PreK-8 School project, which carries a price tag of $55.2 million, also began construction in December 2024. This replacement school will address structural issues faced by the aging facility, originally built in 1960, which has experienced problems such as leaking roofs. Funding for this project includes $45 million provided by the state.
Goals for Educational Improvement
The initiatives taken by PPSD, including the construction of new schools and renovations, are designed to create modern, high-quality learning environments for a growing population of students. These projects not only aim to improve structural conditions but also to promote a curriculum that emphasizes STEM education, the arts, and community-based learning. Specifically, the Harry Kizirian School will include dedicated spaces geared toward enhancing STEM and arts education.
PPSD’s overarching goal through these various construction projects is to ensure that by 2030, every student in the district has access to modern facilities that provide an adequate learning atmosphere. The ongoing commitment to upgrading school infrastructure reflects the district’s recognition of the pivotal role that a conducive learning environment plays in student success.
As communities rally around these educational enhancements, the district remains focused on delivering advanced educational opportunities, ensuring that all students are prepared for future academic challenges and career pathways.
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HERE Resources
Providence Celebrates Beam Raising for New Frank D. Spaziano Middle School
Additional Resources
- ABC6 News
- Providence Journal
- School Construction News
- Valley Breeze
- Brown Daily Herald
- Wikipedia: School construction in the United States
- Google Search: school construction Rhode Island
- Google Scholar: educational infrastructure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: education
- Google News: Providence school construction
