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Meeting Street practices inclusion whenever possible making sure that typically developing children and children with special needs have the opportunity to learn and play together.

Where every child thrives

Programs and Services » The Grace School

The Grace School Standards-Based Education

Fostering academic excellence and individual growth in children of all abilities

Meeting Street has long been known for the exceptional education and individual attention it provides children with special needs. At The Grace School, we offer the same commitment to personal growth and academic success to children who have the ability to meet or exceed grade-level learning standards. While academic achievement is the focus of our efforts, The Grace School also fosters emotional and social growth by providing an inclusive environment that instills compassion and respect for differences at a very young age.

Individualized Instruction
At The Grace School, we teach to the child, not the class. School is fun and positive for our students because each child’s needs are met through individualized learning. We focus on student-driven goals, not teacher-driven goals.

Our approach:
• Adapt each student’s education path to his or her interests, strengths, and areas of need, as defined in his or her Personalized Learning Plan (PLP)
• Embrace the individual child and instill a love of learning in a diverse, supportive community
• Attract and support passionate, highly credentialed educators at every level
• Leverage the power of small class sizes – average class size is 15 students
• Enable educational excellence with two education specialists in each classroom, plus teachers’ aides
    – One general education teacher for an average of nine students
    – One special education teacher for an average of six students
    – Teaching assistant support in all classrooms
• Maximize each child’s ability by breaking into small group instruction based on each student’s PLP
• Continually assess each student’s instruction level and workload to ensure that each child reaches his or her highest potential
• Employ the celebrated Responsive Classroom® approach, which is associated with higher test scores, better social skills, and high-quality instruction

Comprehensive Curriculum
Each student’s PLP is centered on a standards-based comprehensive curriculum that focuses on the whole child, and is enriched with programs in the arts, music, fitness, technology, and much more. It is a unique school experience where all types of children thrive.

Our approach:
• Teach a validated, standards-based grade curriculum in all subjects, featuring:
    – Houghton Mifflin Reading Program
    – Edmark Computer-based Reading Program
    – Wilson Fundations Reading Program
    – Handwriting Without Tears
    – EveryDay Mathematics
    – GEMS Kits for Science Exploration
• Provide ongoing preparation for NECAP Testing, Rhode Island’s standardized outcome measurement
• Guide the educational focus of students with special needs, based on their Individual Education Plan (IEP) – part of their overall PLP
• Enhance all subject-matter learning with the latest technology resources
• In collaboration with parents, adjust each student’s homework load to his or her abilities and needs for optimal academic benefit
• Complement classroom curriculum with inclusive library, art, music, and physical education, including recreational swims in the Meeting Street pool
• Provide ongoing field trip opportunities to enhance and reinforce skills learned in the classroom
• Monitor each child’s progress and provide updates to parents through teacher conferences and take-home reports

Compassionate Community
At The Grace School, children learn early in life the importance of accepting and understanding all types of people. They also experience the great joy of “helping a friend” which contributes to the development of a strong self-concept.

Our approach:
• Create a diverse community of learners supported by exceptional educators, dedicated staff members, and engaged families
• Foster an environment that embraces inclusion and helps children to develop a core set of social skills that includes cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control
• Provide experiences that help build each student’s self-esteem
• Encourage forums for families to work together to enrich their children’s educational experience

Stimulating Environment
Children blossom at The Grace School’s state-of-the-art facilities, which are situated on Meeting Street’s beautiful campus conveniently located right off Route 95 in Providence.

Our approach:
• Welcome children and families into an environment each day that facilitates learning and high academic achievement
    – Eight-acre campus featuring 40% green space
    – Innovative, award-winning 76,000 square-foot facility
    – “Green” building design fills space with natural light
    – State-of-the-art fully equipped classrooms
    – Full-sized middle school gymnasium
    – Meeting Street pool
    – Dedicated art and music rooms
    – Spacious, comfortable common areas and cafeteria
    – Fully accessible playground
    – Youth soccer field

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