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Proposed tuition-free New England Technical Academy – new Charter High School for over 1,000
Proposed New England Technical Academy to Serve 1,100 Students by 2035, Expanding Access to Career and Technical Education and Bridging Rhode Island’s Workforce Gap
Backed by the New England Institute of Technology and major industry leaders, this bold charter public high school will offer rigorous training in pre-engineering, IT, and health sciences, fields projected to generate over 8,000 jobs annually in RI.
A proposed early-college, career and technical education (CTE) charter public high school aims to transform how Rhode Island prepares students for college and for high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers.
New England Technical Academy (NETA) will blend rigorous academics with hands-on, industry-aligned training in pre-engineering, information technology, and health sciences, fields with pressing workforce needs in Rhode Island. Graduates will have the opportunity to earn both industry credentials and up to one full year of college credit.
The tuition-free charter public high school expands access to CTE education for students who have historically had limited opportunities in these specialized programs. Seventy-five percent of seats will be reserved for students from Providence and Pawtucket, while the remaining twenty-five percent will be available to students statewide.
“Research shows that students who take rigorous CTE courses alongside college-level academics are more likely to graduate, attend post-secondary programs, and earn higher wages,” said Victor Capellan, founder and CEO of Rhode Island Education Collective, which helped design the NETA proposal. “NETA brings that opportunity to every student through an open and equitable enrollment process that removes barriers, like entrance exams and other requirements, that have historically made CTE programs inaccessible to many students in our state.”
New England Institute of Technology (NEIT), a proven leader in technical education for more than 40 years, is serving as the sponsoring entity for NETA and will provide students access to the college’s state-of-the-art laboratories, instruction, and faculty mentorship.
“NETA is about reimagining how we connect education to opportunity,” said Amy Grzybowski, Chair of the NETA Board of Directors and Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Relations at NEIT. “It’s not just good for students—it’s good for Rhode Island. NETA is what our state needs to stay competitive in a changing economy.”
If approved this school year by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education, NETA will open in fall 2026 in Providence with 144 ninth graders, expanding to more than 1,100 students by 2035. It will serve as both a public education innovation hub and a workforce development engine. The proposal has garnered over 1,500 letters of support from individuals and 38 formal endorsements from industry and nonprofit partners statewide.
UPDATE: (in response to questions we’ve had about who is paying for this program – we asked – here’s the answers):
All ongoing costs, including salaries for teachers and staff, instructional materials, transportation, food services, and rent/lease for the school building, are covered by per-pupil public funding.
NETA, like ALL other charter public schools, would lease or finance its building using a portion of its per-pupil revenue, just as other public schools cover facility costs through their budgets. Charter schools in Rhode Island also have access to state reimbursement for facilities expenses under the School Housing Aid program (similar to districts, though at a different reimbursement rate — only 30%).
NEIT is a sponsoring entity under Rhode Island General Law §16-77.3-1. Through this partnership, NEIT is committed to supporting curriculum alignment with industry standards, dual enrollment and early college programs, and providing access to its labs and industry pathways. However, NEIT’s support does not include financial contributions toward construction, land acquisition, or building costs. Its role is academic, not fiscal.
In short, the public per-pupil funding pays for everything, and NEIT’s partnership is designed to enhance its academic and career programs, but does not fund, own, or manage the school, its facilities, or its operations.
About Rhode Island Education Collective
Launched in 2024, Rhode Island Education Collective is a nonprofit working to ensure that every child in our state—regardless of their race, economic situation or where they live—can go to a great public school. The Collective empowers the people who are part of our schools and neighborhoods, especially those historically marginalized by the public education system, to help create the change our students need. Learn more at RIEducationCollective.org
Yes! great idea, what is the application process?
Not sure – school has to be formally approved, then a building located or built, then from there. Stay tuned! Providence, pawtucket residents will have priority consideration, then open to all.
Yes – EDUCATION with choices – good for kids, families and communities!