PROVIDENCE – In another step to keep the longtime independent school in operation, the Henry Barnard School will partner with Providence Country Day School to become the East Providence-based private school’s elementary school starting next academic year.
The Henry Barnard School Association announced the partnership Tuesday, nearly three months after the association saved the 122-year-old elementary school located on the Rhode Island College campus from permanent closure. RIC in the summer of 2020 opted to close the school due to financial difficulties that the school recently incurred.
With the partnership, both Henry Barnard School and PCD will offer continuous PK-12 education beginning in the 2021-22 academic year, the association said. The partnership also comes soon after PCD announced its “quest” initiative to make the school more personalized and less expensive, including dropping its tuition rates by 35%.
Kevin Folan, head of school for PCD – which currently serves students in grades 6-12 – will oversee all grades between PCD and Henry Barnard School. In a statement, Folan said the partnership between the two schools is mutually beneficial.
“Opportunities like this do not present themselves often. This is a chance for two institutions with strong, century-old legacies of educating young people to come together to enhance and expand the incredible education each provides,” Folan said. “I thank [Henry Barnard School Association President] Scott Bromberg and the many HBS volunteers for their commitment to keeping this school moving forward despite the many challenges and for taking action on this opportunity. This is a once-in-a-century partnership and we are delighted to see what the future holds for our school.”
Plans are also in the works to move Henry Barnard School from the RIC campus to PCD’s campus in East Providence. The association said Henry Barnard School will operate out of the facility at RIC for the current time, but are planning to transition the school to PCD within three to five years.
Applications for students to attend Henry Barnard School are currently being accepted on the school’s website.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
