“I think what you all are doing is remarkable and it is clear to me that The Learning Community really is a community! I couldn’t race back to my school fast enough to tell everyone what I saw and share all of the ideas that I took back with me."
Jackie Cambio, ESL teacher, Gladstone Elementary, Cranston, RI

“I noticed that the procedures are well-developed and behavior management was excellent. I noticed that the children understand the expectations and they stay on task even during independent reading. I wonder how you learn to juggle all of the components of Reader’s Workshop. How do you keep the students so focused?”
Classroom Teacher, Hull, MA

"This supervised planning is a brilliant way to empower the teachers to create their own fun, but rigorous curriculum. To my mind, The Learning Community is the most academically creative school in the state."
Julia Steiny, "At one charter school, the lesson plan gets a makeover," Providence Journal 10/18/09

“This is a community where students take initiative for their learning and were guided by empathetic and skilled teachers. I noticed students were allowed to approach and tackle complex yet contemporary topics that matter. Independent thinking is evident!”
Nick Howe, Fall Brook Elementary, Leominster, MA

"When I teach my university students about how a classroom and a school could function, under the best of conditions, created by teachers, administrators, support staff, parents and the community together, I have this kind of school in mind. The Learning Community makes it real."
Polly Ulichny, Director, Elementary MAT Program, Brown University

“The Learning Community is the right name for your school. There is such a bright energy and deep commitment to growing thoughtful, passionate and compassionate life learners."
Ilana Friedman, 2nd grade teacher, Brooklyn, NY

“At The Learning Community I noticed the language students used in small group and whole group discussions. They were able to hold their own group discussions and to describe their thinking. I want to know more about the strong classroom routines that help create such great classrooms like the ones I saw today.”
Maurin Lawrence, Teacher, Corfu, NY

“I noticed the sense of community that each classroom at The Learning Community had. I noticed the enthusiasm for writing and that the students viewed themselves as writers. The teachers were all explicit with their teaching and knew exactly where their students were in the process. How do you create such a collaborative environment for teachers as learners? It is clear they all put forth a great deal of effort and share with each other.”
Jora Kirby, Tufts University

“I am so pleased with your success, and it is about time the rest of the world knows about the great work you are doing.”
Bill Holland, former RI commissioner of higher education and professor of educational leadership

The Learning Community is a public charter school in Central Falls, RI that is showing remarkable results. 86% of the school’s students qualify for free or reduced price lunch, yet 80% meet the national benchmark in reading. The latest state standardized test results show that our third grade students are performing on par with their suburban peers. The Learning Community has created unique systems for teacher professional growth, academic and social safety net services, family engagement and whole school culture – all designed to maximize student achievement.

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