Classical High School

Great all around school. Teachers and faculty challenge students both academically and also in the community. Great extracurricular activities. The most diverse school that I have attended.
—Submitted by a student

My son loves Classical. It has been a wondeful place for him. The students, staff, and teachers are great. Everyone seems happy to be there.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school ever. The person behind me has to let their child expand and grow themselves; they cannot always be under someone's guidance. I love the freedom. Great academics too, they let me take AP calculus BC in freshman :)
—Submitted by a student

I regret ever listening to the middle school Principal and teachers that said Classical is the only place my child would continue to excel. My child was a wonderful student until setting foot in there. I went to orientations, asked about parent involvement, left my name number and email and never a single call or communication. I was told " we have too many students and can't keep up with all their issues". I do agree there are many students but when you have a parent in your face expressing concern and frustration it's a sign that there is a problem. I believe parents and teachers should have the same goal in mind. That goal should be to provide the best education to prepare them to be successful. Academics have gone out the door it seems and the teachers do not seem to be truly invested in our children.
—Submitted by a parent

excellent learning environment, diverse and culturally rich!
—Submitted by a parent

This public school stands for academic integrity and excellence. It prepares students for a venture to enter the realms of aspiring Universities. It is the best public high-school in Rhode Island, bar none.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated Classical in 1971. Our older son in 2006. My father and uncle back in the 1940's. I support the belief that Classical remains the best college preparatory public high school in Providence, perharps, Rhode Island. However, when our older son attended, I was unimpressed with the lack of academic excellence, basic skills in writing, and critical thinking. This could be attributed to his need for resource intervention. However, our younger son will be a senior this year. I like the research and portfolio concept and the re-inclusion of Latin. He doesn't take this language. However, I am still a believer that it ought to be a 2 year requirement for every student!!!! I wasn't a great student in Latin, but it continued to serve me well in English. Lastly, the cut back of funds makes me very unhappy. The inclusion of sports and more arts limits the foundation of all students.
—Submitted by a parent

Classical is what it is, a college prep school. I do agreed with many of the comments regarding teaching quality. My biggest concern is Classical needs to re-establish itself a tradition of excellence whether in academic or sports. As a LaSalle alum and I know how proud I am being associated with that great institution everytime a student/team does well in an academis setting or on the fields. I can't say that about Classical. Winning breeds winners. God knows Providence does not have a lot to be proud of these days.
—Submitted by a parent

Yes, this school is a great college prep school and the counselors are amazing. The faculty is great but I have to agree with the whole seniority thing. I had a chance to go to LaSalle Academy, almost my whole family went there, but I thought Classical would be more challenging, and I was right. I stand by my decision in going to this school and in doing that, I met great people and I am doing much better in my studies. I have bad subjects and good subjects, but getting a B- in this school is like getting an A+ in some other school. Thank you Classical.
—Submitted by a student

Those 10-20% make the biggest difference in getting more hardworking kids to come to classical, but the other 80% is less motivated than would seem normal in a 'college prep' school. In addition, the 80% of teachers that are operating 'on cruise control' do little for the school and often print out test from online, forcing many students to teach the material to themselves. However, if your child is sufficiently hard working and a little bit brilliant, classical may in fact be the right place for them, because although the teachers may not be the best, when an Ivy League school sees amazing SAT and AP scores, they will know the student from classical did it without as much help as students from many other private schools. In addition, students will excel, utilizing their independence gotten from going to classical high school.(Go Classical 2010!)
—Submitted by a student

There are far too many teachers at Classical who are only there because of their seniority. When there are issues or concerns, administration does not address them. Union rules for the teachers are by far the ruling factor. Administration needs to step up and to have the integrity to do the right thing as far as teachers are concerned. However, all too often the student is left in classes where the teachers deliberately 'lose' assignments, ridicule and make fun of students and do not perform up to the same standards that the students themselves are held to. Taking my child out of a private school and going to Classical was the biggest mistake I ever made.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a recent Classical graduate attending an Ivy League university. While Classicalites tend to think that they're getting an intense academic college preparation, I can tell you that Classical could have done a lot more to prepare me for college. There are certain teachers that work hard to earn the school's reputation but they're limited. Although Classical boasts of its AP Program, its strengths truly lie in the liberal arts and humanities. However, if you plan on pursuing engineering or a science intensive major in college, look elsewhere. The counselors are pretty great though and work hard to secure the best college seats for students. During my four years, I felt that the students aren't motivated enough and the poor funding from the school department really doesn't help improve things. In my opinion, what the school needs is a new system of review to assess the quality and effectiveness of teachers.
—Submitted by a student

the school is not as great as i thought it would be, the teachers dont care for there students.
—Submitted by a student

I went to Classical. I learned so much from the diverse community. I actually learned life lesssons and how to survive when the chips are down. Gotta love Mr. K. I just want everyone to know that the High School you send your child to is secondary to the School they come home to after the bell. Expose your kids to outside experiences early and provide them with REAL facts of life. Teach them to be leaders where the can make change within there communities.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Classical in June 2006 and I am genuinely grateful for the time I spent there. There is plenty of room for improvement, however. I had a handful of wonderful, engaging and intelligent teachers there, but I also had many teachers who were only at Classical because they had enough seniority to get out of the rougher public high schools in Providence. What I most enjoyed about Classical was the diversity. There were so many different kids in my classes and I feel that this experience was more important than having a beautiful building. Classical's greatest asset is its students because they are open to all kinds of new things and they are driven towards success. They can't maintain Classical's high standard of education by themselves, though. Much improvement is needed from the administration and superintendent if Classical is going to keep attracting these great kids.
—Submitted by a former student

I am the parent of a freshman at Classical and I can honestly say that I expected a more challenging curriculum for my child and more support on behalf of the guidance dept. As far as family friendliness is concerned all I can say is that I tried calling one of my child's teachers a few weeks ago(via the couselor no one on one)-and I was told that the teacher, as a response to my petition that he call me, said that he does not call parents....I think that says it all....
—Submitted by a parent

My three kids are recent Classical grads - all got into top schools. CHS is not a good place for student who wants to get by. This is a school for motivated students who know where they are going. APs - one of my kids had a whole year of college credit. The students not only take AP, but actually score high on AP exams (not true of some schools!) The building is rapidly deteriorating from starvation budgets. There are a few faculty who would definitely not be there except for union rules about seniority, but in general the teachers are committed and capable. Compared to other schools -- April 2006 CHS won their 10th State Science Competition in 11 years - in 2004 they won 16 golds there, the rest of the state combined, 6 golds. Those team members went on to Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, and other top schools.
—Submitted by Peter, a parent

I would like to start this review by saying that I am not a 'slackoff' and I definitely did do my work during my time at Classical. I am currently attending an Ivy League University. I do not, however, believe that the quality of academic programs at Classical is good. There are a handful of devoted teachers, and that is about it. Teachers don't encourage students to think outside the box and do not present meangingful challenges. The administrators, for the most part, do not encourage students in any way. There is a good selection of extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a former student

I am currently a sophmore at classical (class of 2008!). Classical is an inner city public school so it is not the most gorgeous school on the inside or out. I know a lot of people that transfer from private school to classical because it is a better education. Its in the city so that everyone from different backgrounds can have the opportunity to go. It is a very good school and teachers vary. Our athletics program is unbelieveable, this fall season alone girls tennis won division 4, girls volleyball won the state championship, boys and girls soccer won states too, etc. Classical has given me the opportunity to challenge myself offering 14 ap courses and many extra curricular activities. Socially it has no popularity issues, everyone is friends with everyone so I love it. It's main goal and focus is college and preparing their students.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a freshman at Classical High School, and I think the school is generally great. Almost all of the teachers I know give the right amouint of work to students- not too little to not learn anything, and not too much to stress you out. I've learned that everyone in the school is respectful, and willing to give a helping hand. Althought some students ARE slackers, the educational benefits of CHS are there for the students who want them. I, for example, am one of the many freshman who is getting straight A's. Some of the students just don't want to work, and you shouldn't blame the rest of the school for their lazyness.Also, the extacurricular activities are great. There's a wide variety to choose from, and everyone will find something they like.
—Submitted by a student