Welcome to The Providence Center School

The Providence Center School offers a unique learning environment for children in Grades Pre-K through 8 who are experiencing acute behavioral and emotional symptoms.

Call Our Providence Center School Team

Meet the Team      Our Approach      Why Choose Us?      Our Services    

About the Providence Center School

The Providence Center School is a special education school for students in preschool through grade 8 diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders. Our goal is to prepare students to successfully return to their community schools, enroll in less restrictive programs, graduate from high school, pursue higher education or join the workforce.

Students are referred to TPC School by their home school districts through special education directors.

Our curriculum combines academic instruction guided by Common Core Standards with clinical services, behavioral supports, therapeutic interventions and family support services designed to meet the unique needs of each student. TPC School strives to help students cultivate the ability to manage emotions and behavior in order to become successful learners.

The Providence Center School is fully accredited by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

 

TPC School meets the learning and therapeutic needs of students with diagnoses such as:
    • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
    • Anxiety disorders
    • Bipolar and other mood disorders
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
    • Depressive disorder
    • Autism spectrum disorder


The Providence Center School
520 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906

Main Reception: (401) 276-4531
Fax: (401) 276-4015
Email: info@tpcschool.org

A Different Kind of Education

 

 

Our Team

TPC School’s team of dedicated, experienced academic and clinical professionals includes:

  • Certified Special Education Teachers and regular education teachers
  • Teaching Assistants
  • Student and Family Support Counselors
  • Certified School Nurse
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Clinical Director
  • Principal
  • Special Education Administrator 
The TPC School Philosophy

Our individualized, strength-based approach to learning is guided by our values:

  • Students have unique strengths and abilities, which we emphasize as we help them to overcome emotional, social, behavioral and academic challenges.
  • Students benefit from building solid, trusting and reciprocal relationships with peers and adults.
  • Students thrive in a school culture that is positive and solution focused.
  • Students have the ability to make changes, meet goals and achieve success when provided with consistent expectations, instruction, behavioral and clinical support and the conviction that they will accomplish their goals.
  • Improved coping and problem-solving skills enhance students academic functioning and give them the opportunity to return to their community schools, enroll in less restrictive programs, graduate from high school, pursue a higher education or join the workforce.

Meet the Team

Christopher Mahon
Linda Tavares, LMHC

Clinical Director

Office (401) 276-4161

Email ltavares@thepcschool.org

Additional Resources

Technical Support - Jeffrey Young Network PC Specialist, Phone: (401) 383-5062 EmailJeYoung@CareNE.org

 

Clinical Team- Call (401) 276-4533 to contact the following departments:
Certified School Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Bilingual Student and
Family Support Counselor, Grades PK-1, Student and Family Support Counselor, Grades 2-8

Our Approach to Education

Our Key Features

  • Licensed by the RI Department of Education
  • Individual Education Programs (IEP)
  • Extended 12-month school year
  • A participant in Rhode Island's statewide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
  • Transition planning throughout enrollment specific to the needs of the student, family and school district
  • Consistent communication with family
  • Access to The Providence Center's outpatient programs and supportive services for students and families

Individualized Academic Instruction

  • 4:1 student-to-teacher/staff ratio
  • Supportive learning environment for students with issues related to anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal
  • Quarterly grade cards and quarterly IEP progress reports
  • Common Core Standards drive curriculum
  • Innovative use of technology in the classrooms

Strength-based Behavior Strategies

  • Attendance Improvement Program
  • School-wide focus on traits of respect, responsibility, and safety
  • Realistic, individualized behavioral expectations
  • Character education classes for improved social and emotional development
  • Opportunities to apply communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Therapeutic playground for preschool students

 

Why Choose Us?

Academics
Social and Emotional Learning

At the center of our curriculum is Conscious Discipline a comprehensive emotional, intelligence and classroom management system that integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural, and cognitive) into one seamless curriculum. Conscious Discipline has achieved Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), SEL Program designation recognizing Conscious Discipline as a leader in impactful social & emotional learning (SEL). 

Seven Skills of Conscious Discipline: 

Conscious Skill

(merging from powers)

Life/Communication Skills Value
Composure Anger management, delay of gratification Integrity
Encouragement Pro-social skills, kindness, caring, happiness Interdependence, optimism, gratitude
Assertiveness Bully Prevention, healthy boundaries Respect for self and others
Choices Impulse control, goal achievement Persistence
Empathy Honoring diversity, honesty Honoring diversity, honesty
Positive Intent Cooperation, problem-solving Compassion, generosity
Consequences Learning from your mistakes Responsibility

 

Common Core State Standards

The Providence Center School has developed its courses to meet Rhode Island’s Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This standard were created as a result of a multi-state effort to establish a shared set of clear standards for English language arts/literacy and mathematics. By following these standards, TPC School is able to ensure our students are learning the same material as students across Rhode Island, eventually allowing for a smooth transition back to their district school or into the workplace.

Character Education

The Providence Center School’s weekly character education program provides students with opportunities to practice personal and interpersonal skills to improve social and emotional functioning and establish positive relationships.

Through the use of media, therapeutic games and activities, role-play exercises and discussion, students learn appropriate skills for:

  • Coping 
  • Problem solving 
  • Empathy building 
  • Assertiveness 
  • Decision making 
  • Identifying and expressing feelings 
  • Taking perspectives 
  • Demonstrating respect for self, others and the environment 
  • Improving self-confidence and self-esteem 
Pillars of Character 

Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship

The six “pillars of character” are integrated throughout the curriculum to help students practice essential skills:

  • Fostering and strengthening relationships 
  • Maintaining a safe and positive learning environments 
  • Becoming more aware of their strengths and weaknesses 
  • Self-regulation 
  • Developing a healthy sense of self

Teachers have an active role in assuring that the students’ new skills are incorporated into their daily routines both at school and home.

Clinical
Guiding The Behavioral, Social And Emotional Development Of Students

Clinical support at The Providence Center School draws on students’ strengths to inform the emotional, social or behavioral interventions that will set them on a path to success. This strength-based system allows therapeutic interventions to be tailored to each student’s unique abilities and needs, empowering him or her to make positive changes.

The Providence Center School has been a participant in Rhode Island’s statewide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program since 2007. PBIS focuses on creating a community culture in the school that emphasizes positive behavioral and academic expectations.

Related Services

Additional services are available to current TPC School students to support their academic and clinical progress. These related services are included in the tuition.

Occupational Therapy

A licensed occupational therapist is on-site to assess and treat students who demonstrate a significant delay with fine motor skills, visual perception, organizational abilities, and/or sensory processing abilities. Recommendations for modification and adaptation of the student’s supplies, materials, activities, or environment are provided to the student’s teacher and parent/guardian. Therapy services are conducted in small groups or with the entire classroom.

Speech/Language Therapy

A licensed speech/language pathologist helps staff and parents understand behaviors by assessing communication patterns and identifying communication disorders, such as articulation, language, voice, and stuttering. He or she conducts individual therapy, consults with the student’s teacher about the most effective ways to facilitate the student’s communication in the classroom, and works with the student’s family to develop goals and techniques.

Medication Assessment and Management

All medication administered during school hours will be in accordance with a written order from a licensed health care prescriber and verified by the school nurse. When recommended by the clinical team and approved by the parent, students not on medication may be evaluated by a Providence Center child psychiatrist and, when appropriate, prescribed medication with regular monitoring. Medication that is dropped off must include an expiration date and be in the original prescription-labeled container (in the case of a prescription medication) or the manufacturer-labeled container (in the case of a non-prescription medication).

Health and Safety

A full-time school nurse is available to assist the student and the parents in achieving and maintaining the students’ physical well-being. The nurse monitors growth, immunizations, medications, hearing and vision screening. School Nurse is the main contact for all COVID related questions and concerns. 

School Lunch and Nutrition Program

The food manager plans meals in accordance with nutritional standards for each age level. Students with food allergies or special nutritional needs (e.g. diabetes, etc.) are accommodated with an individualized food plan.

School Nurse

Contact Information:
Office: 401-276-4556
Mobile: 978-633-5514

Health Information for Parents: 

Flu and Norovirus Prevention – English

Flu and Norovirus Prevention – Spanish

COVID-19 Updates and Resources:

COVID-19 Guidelines

Health Forms:

State of Rhode Island School Physical Form

Immunization Exemption Certificates:

Action Plans Templates:

 

Explore Our Education Services

  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary
  • Middle

Early Childhood

The Early Childhood program is comprised of overlapping classrooms from Pre-K through Grade 1 to ensure that the social and academic needs of each student are met. Stability and security are provided in a nurturing environment to support positive behaviors.

Pre-K/Kindergarten

Helping children to acquire the social skills they will need to be successful in a classroom environment is the main goal at this level. A thematic approach is used in an interactive learning environment to integrate the eight domains of the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards:

  • Social and Emotional Development
  • Language Development
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Physical Health and Motor Development
  • Cognitive Development
  • Social Studies
  • Creative Arts


Kindergarten, First Grade

The K-1 curriculum emphasizes listening and speaking skills while broadening students’ learning experiences and offering opportunities to apply positive coping strategies and self-regulation skills. Educational technology is an integral part of the curriculum. Content areas include:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Math
  • Social studies
  • Science

Second - Fifth Grade

Grades 2 - 5 challenge students to apply their knowledge in solving everyday problems and engage in hands-on learning. Common Core Standards guide the material taught in the elementary classrooms.

Standards-based units provide students with opportunities for cooperative group activities and community activities. Educational technology is integrated through the use of computer stations and various media presentations. Units cover:

  • Social studies
  • Science
  • Language arts
  • Math
  • Technology
  • Arts

Sixth - Eighth Grade

The middle school learning environment (grades 6-8) is student-centered, encouraging them to become active learners. Common Core Standards guide the middle school team in programming and curriculum development.

Learning expectations are set that are commensurate with the experience, needs and potential of young adolescents. Units in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies offer opportunities for students to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills
  • Experience cooperative learning through group instruction
  • Create connections between subjects and ideas
  • Participate in experiential learning
  • Utilize technology in practicing research skills
  • Develop strong written and oral communication skills