Dear Kingston Hill Academy Community,
I am thrilled to share exciting news with our students, families, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, and community members. Kingston Hill Academy has been recognized as a RI State Blue Ribbon School!
This recognition is the result of the hard work and dedication of our entire school community. Every day, our educators inspire students to think critically, solve problems, and embrace a love of learning. Our students rise to high expectations, our families provide tremendous support, and our staff work tirelessly to create an environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential while holding strong to our mission.
Kingston Hill Academy is dedicated to providing students with the opportunity for an inclusive, individualized, and challenging curriculum that supports them to reach their full potential and this has been recognized today in one of the biggest honors a school/ district can receive.
Receiving the RI State Blue Ribbon affirms what we have always known and that is that Kingston Hill Academy is a special place where students are challenged, supported, and empowered to achieve their best. This honor celebrates not only academic achievement, but also the strong culture of collaboration, respect, and community that defines our school.
I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this accomplishment. This recognition belongs to all of us. Together, we have created a school community that exemplifies excellence and serves as a model for others across our state. I am beyond proud and honored to serve as The Chief Administrator/Superintendent of such a special school.
As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our mission and committed to continuous growth and improvement. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to provide exceptional educational opportunities for every student.
Thank you for your partnership, dedication, and belief in our school.
Congratulations, Kingston Hill Academy! I am so proud and happy that we have been acknowledged for all our efforts!
Sincerely,
Marcella Terranova Clark
CONGRATULATIONS!
*Please reference the attached article released from RIDE below.
Published on Thursday, June 11, 2026
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced that three schools have been named 2026 Rhode Island Blue Ribbon Schools, one of the highest honors a school can receive in the state.
The 2026 honorees are:
Following the abrupt discontinuation of the federal National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, last year, Rhode Island established its own state-level Blue Ribbon Schools recognition program, maintaining the same rigorous, federally-aligned performance data-driven criteria used for prior national recognition.
“Rhode Island is home to incredible educators and school communities that deliver real results for students every day,” said Governor Dan McKee. “These Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate what’s possible when we set high expectations and provide the support our students and educators need to meet them. Congratulations to these outstanding school communities for this well-deserved recognition.”
“Even as the federal program came to an end, Rhode Island made an intentional choice to continue recognizing and learning from our highest-performing schools,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “These schools represent excellence in action, from strong academic outcomes to meaningful progress in closing achievement gaps, and serve as models for schools across our state. Congratulations!”
“Classical High School has long been a pillar of academic excellence in Providence, and we’re thrilled it has been recognized once again as a top school community in the Ocean State,” said Providence Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication, and high expectations upheld by our students, educators, and school leaders every single day. Go Purple!”
Classical High School’s 2026 Blue Ribbon Award represents the third such distinction earned by a Providence Public School during the state intervention, underscoring meaningful academic progress across the district. Classical previously received this prestigious recognition in 2017. In the past two years, Bailey Elementary School and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School have also been honored with Blue Ribbon designations.
“This honor for Community School is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our educators, staff, students, and families,” said Cumberland Superintendent Phil Thornton. “Community School represents the very best of what public education can achieve when we work together to support every student’s success. We’re deeply proud to have earned a second Blue Ribbon award.”
“Kingston Hill Academy’s recognition in both performance and closing achievement gaps speaks volumes about the intentional and equity-driven work happening in this school community,” said Kingston Hill Academy Superintendent Marcella Clark. “We are proud of our students and educators for their commitment to excellence and ensuring every learner has the opportunity to succeed.”