The academic focus is on literacy and numeracy in core subject areas. Instruction includes small and large flexible groupings, cooperative learning, integrated activities, enrichment opportunities, career awareness, and the use of computer technology.

The reading program consists of instruction in five key areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Our teachers use scientifically-based strategies for teaching reading skills.

Performance based math initiatives focus on the strands of numeration and counting; operations and relations; problem solving; data collection and analysis; measurement; geometry; algebra; functions, patterns, and sequences; time; and money. The curriculum of rich content is designed to prepare students for more advanced math in middle and high school. The concepts are introduced and taught in a spiral curriculum that revisits concepts each year so students can extend their understandings in a firmly established foundation.

The KITES (Kits In Teaching Elementary Science) program provides students with learning-by-doing in the field of science. These kits assist children in understanding the world around
them and helps students improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

The kits are supported by the East Bay Educational Collaborative Science Resource Center which is a consortium of eight local school districts that provides resource assistance and teacher training.

The comprehensive elementary curriculum includes programs in special subject areas such as art, music, library, and physical education. Instrumental music is available to students in grade 5. In addition, special services for students include Special Education and/or Resource support, Speech/Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Reading support, ESL, and Title I reading intervention.
Many extra-curricula programs and activities are offered. These may include homework groups, interest-based activities, and/or athletic events.

During the formative elementary years, every effort is made to develop attitudes, habits and skills that will enable students to be successful at the secondary level.
Programs such as Family Literacy nights and Math and Science nights, provide students and families with fun, filled learning and exploration. These hands-on activities help students better understand topics related to their grade levels.

Schools are increasing their efforts to provide parents with periodic student progress reports and opportunities to participate in family-school activities. A newly established Family Involvement Team has introduced Townie Pride Parade, Earth Day School, and “One City-One Goal” activities to assist families and support schools through active involvement. The district has formed a partnership with the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN).

All schools issue standards-based progress report cards. These are designed to communicate progress in academic fields as well as the child’s overall development. Parents are urged to attend parent-teacher conferences and to discuss the report with the student and plan a program of improvement, if needed.

Increased teacher professional development opportunities will go a long way toward improving student performance. Providing professional development for all staff remains a top priority within our district.

Secondary Education
There are two high performing middle schools, which provide instruction for 1,500 students in grades 6 through 8. Students are offered a wide range of academic courses, which include: Math; Science (KITS); English; Social Studies; Foreign Languages (French, Portuguese, and Spanish); Physical Education; Art; Choral Instruction; Band; Health; Family & Consumer Science; Library Science, and Technology and Computer Science.

Special needs students receive a variety of services including Speech; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Resource; and Self-Contained Special Needs Instruction.

As an extension of the middle school experience, students are given the opportunity to join any of 24 different middle school athletic teams. Students may participate in a wide variety of co-curricular programs such as the school newspaper, yearbook, Band and Chorus.

Martin and Riverside Middle School buildings are used extensively by the community at-large. The gymnasiums, auditoriums, outside grounds and classrooms are used almost daily by East Providence residents.

East Providence High School is a 2005 Regents’ Commended comprehensive high school. The community of East Providence High believes that education is the lifeblood of a fulfilled and productive individual. EP High recognizes a commitment to an educational process that recognizes the importance of student proficiency and performance based standards.

EP endorses the value of mutual respect, the importance of personal responsibility, and the primacy of learning. In partnership with home and community, East Providence High School is committed to being a learning community that focuses on teaching and learning.

East Providence High School is a comprehensive campus providing a vast array of over 153 different course offerings to guarantee individual needs of close to 2000 students. The Career & Technical Center provides 12 different vocational-technical course offerings.

Along with a comprehensive academic program, EPHS also offers a wide array of co-curricular activities. There are 22 different clubs and committees for students to join. There are over 40 different athletic squads for all students to participate in. Students also participate in Upward Bound; Educational Talent Search; and The Children’s Crusade.