Henry Barnard School reemerges as an independent school

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Henry Barnard School (HBS) is a newly independent school for children in pre-K through grade 5. With a 122-year history, the school was previously operated as a laboratory school under Rhode Island College’s Department of Education. Drawing students from across Providence and beyond to Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, Lincoln, Smithfield and Cumberland, the school will remain located on RIC’s campus but will no longer be affiliated with the college.

In the summer of 2020, when the college had to make tough decisions around budgetary constraints, they announced the cost-cutting decision to close the school. The school educated upwards of 250 students annually and, as a training school for teachers, was known for its innovative approach to education.

A group of motivated parents, including Rabbi Sarah Mack, Scott Bromberg and Liza Pinto (all members of the Jewish community in Providence), gathered with other parents and stakeholders in an effort to save this beloved educational institution.

Parents gathered with community leaders, education advisors and a fundraising consultant. They researched, planned, connected with current and former families, staff and alumni, negotiated with the college around a lease framework and filed paperwork with the Rhode Island Department of Education. HBS has established itself as an independent school, no longer affiliated with Rhode Island College. They have set up a board governance model and are in the midst of a Head of School search.

Scott Bromberg, president of the HBS Parent Association, shared details of the project. “The 2021-2022 school year will be Henry Barnard School’s first as an independent entity. In its new iteration as an independent school, HBS has a solid enrollment for the upcoming year and continues to accept applications for the fall.”

Bromberg continued, “Henry Barnard School remains a wonderful option for school-aged children at an accessible price point. Their master teachers approach each child as an individual learner and shift their approach to meet the needs of that particular child and where they are in their learning journey. The school’s collaborative approach to education includes a curriculum that builds on classroom instruction with “specials” including technology education, art, Spanish, music, library and media science and physical education for all children.”

Bromberg said the new school wants to connect with HBS alumni and families of alumni as the institution did not keep records of the countless students who graduated or the instructors who taught at HBS over the many years.

They are thrilled to welcome the inaugural class of the independent Henry Barnard School and hope to retain the existing staff and preserve the student-centric approach. For more information, visit henrybarnard.org or call 401-371-3338.

REBECCA PAZIENZA BROMBERG of Providence is a communications professional and proud Mom to Brandon, grade 4, and Noah, grade 2, who both attend Henry Barnard School.