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A Blackstone Valley Prep teacher with her students.

Blackstone Valley Prep

Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP) is a network of tuition-free public schools chartered by the Rhode Island Department of Education. A member of the Charter School Growth Fund portfolio, BVP offers a high-quality, college-preparatory public school choice to the families of Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, and Pawtucket (northern Rhode Island) and currently serves 2,300 scholars, ages 5-22, across six schools: three elementary schools, an upper elementary school (grades 5-6), a junior high school (grades 7-8), and high school. BVP opened its Advancement Academy, a transition program for young adults, in fall 2022. BVP public charter schools are free, public, and open to all. Our mission is to prepare every scholar to achieve their goals for college and the world beyond. 

At BVP, we believe that preparing scholars for the world beyond means, in part, experiencing the diversity of the world in which we live today. Scholars from four neighboring communities have the unique opportunity to come together in classrooms and experience cultural diversity at a young age. Our intentionally diverse model allows scholars to connect across both racial and socioeconomic lines of difference and prepares them to mindfully and confidently engage with others in our dynamic world.

BVP prepares all scholars with:

  • the academic skills necessary to succeed in college coursework 
  • social and personal skills to serve them in a complex world 
  • ways to explore their interests, and reflect on personal goals 
  • knowledge and habits of mind to disrupt injustices

Student population

52.9% Hispanic
20.0% White
18.8% Black
5.4% Multiple/Other
2.9% Asian

73%

OF BVP SCHOLARS QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH

17%

OF BVP SCHOLARS QUALIFY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND/OR RELATED SERVICES

15%

OF BVP SCHOLARS ARE CLASSIFIED AS MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS (MLLs)

School initiatives

Blackstone Valley Prep scholars will graduate empowered as learners, individuals, and community members to access opportunities and break down barriers to achieve their goals. By 2028, 100% of graduating BVP scholars will have a plan for after graduation, and 75% of scholars pursuing their BA will be on track to graduate college within six years.

The details

  • There are two degree options available at this location:
    • 34-credit master of arts in teaching in Inclusive Childhood Education: a dual degree in Childhood Education, Grades 1-6, and Students With Disabilities, Pre-K-Grade 12 (all grades)
    • 30-credit master of arts in teaching in Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)
  • Meet online with NYU Steinhardt faculty and peers twice per week in the evening for your course work ~15 hours/week
  • ~40 hours/week in classroom residency at partner location
  • Up to $2,000 relocation reimbursement available
  • Full-day cost details

As a teacher resident, you’ll teach and learn in your content area. You’ll work alongside another teacher and gain responsibility throughout the year. You also may be asked to substitute teach later in the year as well as support intervention work. You will have the opportunity to get to know students through supporting with social-emotional learning and different school support duties.

During residency year

Estimated Stipend

$40,000 salary per year


Health Insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield RI, paid at 80%


Start Date

IN-PERSON: mid-August 2024


After residency year

Job After Graduation

Teacher


Estimated Starting Salary with Master’s Degree

$50,000


The figures above are estimates provided by our partners for informational and planning purposes only. NYU Steinhardt does not guarantee these amounts.

Our Summer 2025 application is now open. Our next deadline is January 3, 2025.


We built this program from the ground up, and [the faculty] all agreed on starting with the ideas of building community and understanding identity.

HEATHER WOODLEY
CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF TESOL, BILINGUAL EDUCATION, AND WORLD LANGUAGE EDUCATION


Whether you aspire to become a special education teacher in an integrated co-teaching classroom or a US history teacher for Advanced Placement students, this program offers the skills needed to connect with, engage, empower, challenge, and reach all of your students.

DIANA TURK
DIRECTOR OF TEACHER EDUCATION; CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AT NYU STEINHARDT