•  2023-2024 Admissions Information and Dates 

    To be eligible for admission to Classical High School, a student must be a verified resident of the City of Providence

     

    • October 21, 2023 – 7:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
      • DelSesto Middle School, Esek Hopkins Middle School, Gilbert Stuart Middle School, Nathan Bishop Middle School and Roger Williams Middle School and West Broadway Middle School
    • October 26, 2023 – 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
      • Students who are unable to test on Saturday due to religious observances
    • October 28, 2023 – 7:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
      • Private Schools, Parochial Schools, Charter Schools, Nathanael Greene Middle School and Times 2 Academy Middle School

     

    Testing students will enter through the Main Entrance on Westminster Street.  All students will need (2) #2 pencils, a drink and a snack. Also, please remember: only 8th grade Providence residents are eligible to take the Entrance Exam.

     

    Testing Information Flyers

     

    Admissions Process 

    The Classical High School admissions process is clearly defined in Providence School Department policy. To ensure equal educational opportunities, Classical High School continues to engage in a viable recruitment program to attract culturally diverse populations that reflect the demographics of the city. Each year approximately one thousand students apply for admissions to Classical High School. Of these candidates, only about three hundred are eventually accepted. Acceptance to Classical High School is determined by an Admissions Committee which reviews the student profile of each prospective student. The composition of the Admissions Committee includes the following:

    1) CHS Assistant Principal in Charge of Admissions
    2) Representative from Central Administration Designated by the Superintendent
    3) Representative from the Equity and Access Office
    4) Classical High School Faculty Member
    5) Director of Guidance
    6) 2 Parents
    7) Student Representative from the Classical Senior Class

    The Admissions Committee will independently evaluate each profile without knowledge of census/residency data and select candidates that seem most likely to succeed at Classical High School. Notice of acceptance/rejection will be sent to homes and sending schools sometime in January.

    If a student receives two "D"s or a failing grade ("E" or "F") after being accepted to Classical High school, the student’s records will be reviewed by the sending school's and Classical's Principals who will recommend a course of actions, including the possible rescinding of acceptance.

    Appeals of the Admissions Committee decision are made by the sending school Principal and subsequent appeals may be filed with the Deputy Superintendent and the Superintendent, in that order.

     

    Incoming Grade 9 Students 

    Contact: Mr. Micahel Marino, Assistant Principal (401) 456-9145

    Students wishing to attend Classical High School in the 9th grade should begin the admissions process by contacting their guidance counselor. Classical High School deals directly with the sending middle school. An application will be sent to the student's middle school guidance counselor where it will be completed and returned to Classical High School. The complete application package for incoming 9th grade students includes:

    1) Recommendation of the Sending School
    2) 7th Grade Transcripts
    3) Standardized Test Scores
    4) Attendance Data
    5) Identification, Residency Affidavit, and Census Data

    Eighth (8th) grade students must also take the High School Entrance Exam in order to be considered for 9th grade admission. The entrance exam is conducted at Classical High School in October. The date and time of the exam is announced in The Providence Journal Bulletin approximately two weeks before the exam date. Additional tests are given in May or August for new arrivals to the City of Providence. Testing is for City of Providence residents only and a residency affidavit must be filled out upon acceptance. The entrance exam consists of two tests:

    1)The High School Placement Test, which measures academic abilities in the areas of reading, mathematics, written English, vocabulary, grammar, and cognition.
    2) The Naglieri Test of Non-Verbal Skills, which measures the cognitive abilities of all students with no focus on language ability.

    After entrance tests are scored, the results are added to the student's admissions package. The completed student profile is sent to the Admissions Committee for review. In addition to the information included in the profile, the Admissions Committee also considers an identification of the student's personal interests and educational activities (e.g. Summerbridge, other academic enrichment programs offered through middle schools)

      

    Transfer Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 

     

     

    Students wishing to transfer to Classical High School in grades 10, 11, or 12 have the opportunity to do so in the spring of their current grade during April 15 - June 1. In order to apply, students must be registered with the Providence Public School Department (https://www.providenceschools.org/domain/1311). 

     

    The admissions package for transfer students should include copies of the following:

    1) Student's Current Report Card
    2) Standardized Test Scores (from Grade 9 through the present)
    3) Transcripts (from Grade 9 through the present)

     

    Please email/mail all materials to Scott Harding, Director of Counseling and Guidance: scott.harding@ppsd.org

    Classical High School

    Attn: Guidance Office/Transfer Materials

    770 Westminster Street

    Providence, RI 02903

     

    Students or parents should contact the Guidance and Counseling Department, who will assist with the admissions process for the student. (401) 456-9147 or ricardo.gonzalez@ppsd.org

    Once all information is gathered, the data will be presented to the Admissions Committee and an interview may be scheduled.

     

    Appeal of the Admissions Committee's Decision Process

    Parents wishing to appeal the committee's decision must first contact their current school's guidance department or principal who will determine if an appeal letter will be drafted on the student's behalf.

    The principal from the school of the student who is appealing the committee's decision will then send the principal of Classical High School a letter of appeal discussing the student’s improved academic record for the current school year.

    The middle school will send additional data to the committee as part of the appeal review.  This will include:

    1) Course grades for the current school year.  Grades should be at least from the first three quarters or first two trimesters.

    2) Additional standardized testing from the current school year.  This includes RICAS, PSAT scores and STAR Math and Reading Annual Progress Reports. 

    3) For public schools, Appeals should be sent after the third STAR assessment has been completed in April and all three results (showing growth) for the year should be sent with the grades and letter.

    4) Based on this information, a final decision from the Admissions Committee will be made and communicated to each family.