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Who Was Paul Cuffee?
Born in 1759, Paul Cuffee
was one of ten children. His father, a former slave who was born in Ghana,
and his mother, a Wampanoag Indian, raised their large family in Westport,
Massachusetts. Paul Cuffee was a self-educated, hardworking entrepreneur who
became a wealthy sea captain, operating his own ship with a crew of black
sailors.
In 1797, when his children were prevented from attending their local school
because of their mixed race, he decided to start a new school for children
of all ethnicities. This was only one of the many bold actions Paul Cuffee
took during his lifetime to improve civil rights in this country. Two
hundred years later, the founders of our innovative model for urban
education, who were inspired by his integrity, determination and
accomplishments, named our public charter school, with a maritime theme, in
his honor.
To read more about Paul Cuffee,
click here.
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Mission
Paul Cuffee School, a public charter school of choice, serves a diverse
community of students from Providence, Rhode Island.
In the spirit of Paul Cuffee's
life, the School teaches students to value personal initiative and social
responsibility. It seeks to accomplish this through an academic program that
fosters discovery, stretches thinking, and demands excellence. Paul Cuffee
School's maritime-themed curriculum prepares students for success in higher
education and throughout their lives.
We strive to be a community
that respects each individual and responds to the needs of others. This
quality of life together is central to our mission.
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Curriculum
A
PCS education provides a strong academic foundation, emphasizing literacy,
math and science in order to help students meet or exceed national education
standards. Students also participate in physical education, music, art,
computer and Spanish classes each week. Woven throughout the curriculum is
the study of marine biology and ecology, and maritime history.
These subjects may be taught across several disciplines, integrating math,
history, science and art, for instance, to deepen students’ knowledge of a
particular unit of study.
All PCS teachers have been trained in a social-emotional
curriculum called Responsive Classroom. An important part of the philosophy
is establishing a series of practices, such as morning meeting, that help
create a predictable, calm learning environment. Teachers interact with
students respectfully, while modeling and facilitating peer communication,
problem-solving and other social skills that are key to maintaining our
inclusive school community.
In addition to Responsive Classroom, our teachers have been trained to work
with a variety of learning styles. Because of the school’s small class
sizes, teachers are able to provide differentiated instruction that focuses
on children’s strengths, and addresses their weaknesses. Our teachers work
long hours each day so that all children who enter PCS, including those
performing below grade level, will receive the support and encouragement
they need to thrive.
Click on the following
links to learn more about our Technology Plan:
Technology
Plan 2011-14
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Maritime Program
Paul
Cuffee School offers several waterfront activities that help students build
physical strength and the confidence that comes from mastering new skills. Many
of these activities, such as swimming, sailing and navigation, are offered in
partnership with local nonprofit organizations such as the East Side YMCA,
Greenwich Bay Sailing Association, Rocky Hill School's SEA Program and Community Boating Center (CBC) in Providence. Sailing is offered in the upper
grades once students can pass the swim test and demonstrate their ability to
handle small watercraft.
During the summers, students who are performing below grade level are expected
to attend the Paul Cuffee Summer Academy for additional academic support. Due to
special grants and scholarships, our students may also attend one of several
recreational day camps, such as Save the Bay Camp.
Our goal is to prepare knowledgeable, confident and responsible young people for
college, while introducing them to Rhode Island’s abundant natural resources and
to the accompanying career and recreational opportunities.
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Who attends Paul Cuffee School?
All Paul Cuffee
students must reside in Providence, R.I. Our students come from
the many neighborhoods of Providence
and reflect the city’s diverse population. This year, we will have
enrolled over 600 students in kindergarten through 10th grade. While our charter is for
kindergarten through 12th grade, and we have been adding one grade
per year since we opened as a K-3 school in 2001,
temporarily pausing our growth at the end of eighth grade, and resuming our growth in 2010 after securing a high school facility.
Due to Paul Cuffee
School’s limited capacity, we cannot enroll every student who would
like to attend. We invite Providence children to apply for admission
during the annual spring lottery. Those who do not obtain a space
through the lottery are added to our waiting list.
Students
applying to PCS should be prepared to be challenged, be willing to
be part of a respectful, inclusive school culture, and expect to
spend several hours per night on homework by the time they reach
middle school. Independent reading is a daily requirement for
students in all grades.
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