Vital Statistics
· Independent middle school, grades three through eight
· Located in South Providence, Rhode Island
· Founded in 1984

Mission
To challenge minority and low-income children of Rhode Island to succeed in college-preparatory high-school programs and to become community leaders.

Enrollment
150 students (enrollment in 1984 was 25). This number includes two Rhode Island School for the Deaf students who attend Community Prep part-time, in the 21st year of our successful mainstreaming program.

· 28% African-American
· 33% Latino/a
· 17% Caucasian
· 13% Bi-Racial
· 7% Asian
· 2% Native-American

Typical class size
· 18 students

Placement
92% of Community Prep graduates have been accepted into college-preparatory high-school programs (470 graduates to date).
Many have been accepted to independent schools across New England, including: Brewster, Buckingham, Browne & Nichols, Concord Academy, Cushing, Deerfield Academy, Dublin, Fryeburg, The Governor's Academy, Hebron, LaSalle, Lincoln, Milton, Miss Porter's, Moses Brown, Northfield Mt. Hermon, Phillips Academy, Pomfret, Providence Country Day, St. Andrew's, St. George's, St. Marys Academy-Bay View, St. Raphaels Academy, Westover School, Wheeler, Windsor and Worcester Academy.

Our graduates have received more than $15 million in scholarship assistance from the schools they are attending.

82% of our college-age alumni are attending or have graduated from college.

Tuition and Financial Aid
Due to space and fiscal constraints, the school must currently turn away two out of every three applicants. However, every student who is accepted is welcome regardless of the family's ability to pay the $11,100 tuition.
90% of the students receive substantial financial aid.
85% of the school's operating budget is funded through donations; tuition covers only 15 percent. (Traditional independent schools generate 80 to 90 percent of their budgets from tuition.)

Curriculum
Interdisciplinary theme-based units promote coherent and compelling learning. Students are challenged to become careful thinkers and creative problem solvers. Much of the work in classes is done in small, cooperative groups.

Parent Involvement
Student-parent-teacher conferences are held each trimester. The students set goals and their parents and teachers help them design plans to accomplish them.

Community Service
Community service is incorporated into the curriculum and is required of every student. Students have volunteered at nearby senior centers, taught pond ecology to pre-schoolers, participated in community anti-arson and adopt-a-tree programs and a house-painting project. Students also work with Meeting Street Center students.

Founders
Dan Corley, head of school
Robert W. Hahn, executive director of the AEI-Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C.