About Us
Mission of The Greene School
The Greene School develops the culture of personal, community, and global stewardship using a curriculum centered on direct experiences with environmental science, and the technology that affects the natural world. At The Greene School, students develop and integrate their strengths as they explore their roles in local and global communities. The school will have an emphasis on promoting an ethic of excellence, tolerance and character development for moral and social responsibility. Students are prepared to be informed, skilled, active and innovative community leaders who will become the environmental stewards of the future. Students understand and apply the concept of stewardship as the careful and responsible management of human, physical, biological, and financial resources.
What is The Greene School?
The Greene School is a public charter high school with a curriculum based on environmental science and the technology that affects our natural world. The school promotes a culture of personal, community and global stewardship.
What is a charter school?
First and foremost, a charter school is a public school. Charter schools are intended to provide choice within public education to parents and students seeking alternative educational opportunities from those provided by traditional public education.
How does a charter school differ from a traditional public school?
In one word…innovation. As a result of their autonomy and flexibility, charter schools are encouraged to be creative and innovative in their educational methods. Charter schools are expected to develop new educational methods and share this information with the public educational system for the benefit of all students in the state.
The Greene School is a charter school. How are charter schools funded?
Charter schools are tuition free. Charter schools are public schools, and therefore are publicly funded. They are funded through your existing tax dollars. In other words, sending children to charter schools does not cost tax payers any additional money. Like traditional public schools, charter schools may also benefit from grants, donations, and fundraising.
How can my teen get into the Greene School?
All high school students are eligible to apply to The Greene School. The only step is to fill out a simple application. If more students apply to The Greene School than available openings, a lottery will be conducted to see which children are enrolled. Charter public schools must be open to all students regardless of race, religion, disability or academic ability. The 2012-2013 application deadline is February 17, 1012. Applications are available on this website. Please feel free to apply for next year or to send in an application for your child for this current school year and we will be happy to add his/her name to the active waiting list. Waiting lists are not carried over into the following school year. Therefore, new students must apply each school year for enrollment.
How many students will be enrolled at The Greene School?
During the 2010-2011 school year, there were 84 students in grades 9 and 10. In the 2011-2012 school year there are 126 students in grades 9, 10, and 11. In school year 2012-2013, the total enrollment will be 168 students in grades 9-12 and we will eventually serve 210 students in grades 9-12.
My child has special needs; will he/she qualify for enrollment at The Greene School?
Because The Greene School is a public school, every child in Rhode Island is eligible for enrollment. The Greene School is committed to meeting the needs of all students that are enrolled.
Where will The Greene School be located?
Currently, The Greene School is located at 94 John Potter Road in West Greenwich, RI. The Greene School's future permanent location will be on land leased from the University of Rhode Island at the W. Alton Jones campus in West Greenwich.
Why does The Greene School have the Audubon Society of Rhode Island as a sponsor?
The Rhode Island charter school law requires charter schools to have a non-profit sponsor. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island has agreed to sponsor The Greene School because their mission of environmental education and advocacy align with the fundamental mission of The Greene School. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island will be invaluable in providing their experience with environmental education in Rhode Island. Audubon’s sponsorship also fulfills a legal requirement with the State of Rhode Island. Sponsorship does not consist of a financial or administrative relationship.
How will URI be involved?
The Greene School will develop a cooperative relationship with the University of Rhode Island, utilizing the 2,300 acre rural campus as a base for learning expeditions. The mission of the University of Rhode Island W. Alton Jones Campus is to provide environmental education to school age children. The Greene School will help URI achieve this mission.
How do I get a job working at The Greene School?
The Greene School is a public school. The Greene School has actively recruited and hired Rhode Island certified teachers and specialists. All employees of The Greene School are independent of the University of Rhode Island and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.
What will be the curriculum? Will the curriculum meet state standards?
Using the Rhode Island Performance Based Graduation Requirements and the design principles and core practices of Expeditionary Learning Schools (http://www.elschools.org ) as guides, The Greene School has intensive interdisciplinary courses that include both classroom study and extensive fieldwork. The Greene School hired Expeditionary Learning Schools, a research-based design and teacher development program for comprehensive school improvement that achieves results. ELS has helped The Greene School develop its own curriculum based on direct experiences with environmental science and the technology that affects the natural world.
What is ELS?
Expeditionary Learning School (ELS) is a non-profit organization that provides The Greene School with the professional development and technical assistance necessary to create a school and curriculum which emphasizes high achievement through active learning, character growth and teamwork. ELS has been commended in studies that cite such outcomes as improved teacher practice, higher student achievement, and student engagement. The ELS philosophy was incorporated in the Federal Comprehensive School Reform legislation of 1998.
The Greene School uses Project-Based/Experiential Learning. What does that mean?
Project Based/Experiential Learning is an active learning model based on learning expeditions. Learning expeditions are long-term in-depth investigations of a topic that engages students through authentic projects, fieldwork, and service which relates to the community in which they live. The work students do within learning expeditions centers on critical thinking, essential life skills and character development. Ongoing assessment is woven throughout the expeditions, challenging students to higher levels of performance in pursuit of academic excellence.
Will my child be prepared for college?
All students at The Greene School will meet college entrance requirements by graduation and be proficient in the core subject areas of English/language arts, math, science, and social studies as well as world language and the arts. Staff members will help students through the college application and financial aid process. The Greene School shares the ELS paradigm that includes a goal of 100% college-bound graduates. Other ELS-based schools have had success in achieving this goal, and The Greene School expects to do the same.
How can I get involved as a parent in my child’s education at The Greene School?
Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in the education of their children at The Greene School. There are many volunteer opportunities for parents, as vital members of The Greene School Community, to participate in school life, as tutors, classroom experts, and portfolio panelists.
What can I do to help support the effort to develop and build The Greene School?
-Support our fundraising campaign
-Join our email list for updates, meetings and fundraising information
-Volunteer for site work and school development activities
-Spread the word…
The Greene School Board of Directors
Amy K. Pratt, DVM President
Deborah Fletcher, Vice President
Karen O'Neil, CPA, Treasurer
Laura Clavette, Secretary
Christa Andrews
Sue Crotty
Erin Dollard
Dawn Fusco
Thomas Mitchell
Paul Morse
Jen Sherer, PhD
Lawrence Taft
Richard West
Pamela Zabel
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