Blackstone Valley Prep | Rhode Island Public Radio

Charter School Supporters Rally At Statehouse

By Elisabeth Harrison • Mar 5, 2015

Charter school advocates packed the statehouse rotunda Wednesday to urge lawmakers to continue their support for charter schools.

A statehouse panel is considering changes that could decrease funding for charter schools. Jeremy Chiappetta from Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy said families should have choices when it comes to public school.

“We are looking to continue to grow a high quality public school sector that includes charter schools, state run schools, independent schools and certainly traditional public schools,.” Chiappetta said.

Charter Receives $450,000 for New High School

By Elisabeth Harrison • May 7, 2014

Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy has won a $450,000 grant from Next Generation Learning Challenges, an advocacy group focused on increasing the use of technology to improve public education, to open its first high school.

Controversial Charter School Wins $2 Million Grant

By Elisabeth Harrison • Nov 6, 2013

Blackstone Valley Prep, a mayoral academy based in Cumberland, will receive $2.2 million from the Charter School Growth fund to help pay for a planned expansion. Blackstone Valley Prep currently runs two elementary schools and a middle school, serving students from Cumberland, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Lincoln.

This Week in Education

By Elisabeth Harrison • Oct 7, 2013

Standardized testing is underway in Rhode Island public schools, where students take the New England Common Assessment Program or NECAP every October. The tests of math and reading are administered to grades 3-8 and 11 between October 1st and the 23rd. This year some 4,000 12th graders are also taking the test and must improve their scores to meet the state’s controversial new test-based graduation requirement.

Blackstone Valley Prep Charter Renewed For Another Five Years

By Catherine Welch • Jul 17, 2013

Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy said it’s thrilled the state’s Board of Education has renewed its charter for another five years. The charter school will operate three schools in the coming school year, serving students in Lincoln, Cumberland, Central Falls and Pawtucket. Blackstone Valley Prep’s Jen LoPiccolo said the Board of Education cleared the way for expansion of up to seven schools.

Charter School Prepares to Grow to Seven Campuses

By Elisabeth Harrison • Jul 17, 2013

Blackstone Valley Prep has received the go-ahead from state officials to continue operating for another five years and more than double the number of schools it runs around the state.

Blackstone Valley Prep, a charter school, currently operates two elementary schools in Cumberland and a middle school in Lincoln. Plans call for a high school to open this fall at a location still to be determined.

Advocates Protest Legislation Allowing Schools on Toxic Sites

By Bradley Campbell • May 23, 2013

Environmental advocates gathered at the Statehouse Wednesday to protest legislation that would roll back restrictions that prevent schools from building on toxic sites.

Schools Hold Classes Despite Snow

By Elisabeth Harrison • Mar 7, 2013

Public schools in Rhode Island planned to operate under normal schedules today in spite of the winter weather.