LEAs
Local educational agencies

Regular Schools
A public elementary/secondary school that does NOT focus primarily on vocational, special or alternative education although it may provide these programs in addition to a regular curriculum.

Special Education Schools
A special education school is a public elementary/secondary school that focuses primarily on serving the needs of students with disabilities.

Career and Technical Centers
These regional centers offer a diverse set of programs ranging from career exploration activities to job-specific skill development. Each center offers a different mix of technical training programs and educational opportunities.

Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools authorized by the State of Rhode Island to operate independently from many state and local district rules and regulations. As a result of this flexibility, charter school operations are allowed to pursue innovative educational strategies designed to meet specific student achievement goals and objectives stated in their charter.

Non-Public Schools
RIDE approves approximately 150 non-public schools, serving 30,000 students. These schools are privately operated and include Catholic Schools, Independent Schools, faith based, and non-secular schools. All non-public schools in Rhode Island are required to be substantially equivalent to the public schools in areas of curriculum, student safety procedures, appropriate schooling environments, administrative procedures, and teacher quality.

Out-of-State Special Education Schools