Did You Know?

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” — William Butler Yeats

Did You Know?

The teachers at Central High School are as diverse as the students. Here are some interesting facts about a few of Central's teachers. We're sure there are many more.

...Vice Principal Ramon Torres is a graduate of Central High School, as well as Harold Metts, Vice Principal, Anthony Del Toro, Social Studies teacher, and Library Assistant Alice Lionelli.
...Social Studies teachers Anthony Del Toro, Melissa Dubose and Lilly Coustan are also lawyers certified to practice law in Rhode Island. Mr. Del Toro currently practices law as well as teaches, while Melissa and Lilly do not. Both are mothers of young children.
...Shai Afsai, English Teacher, graduated from the Hope High School's Essential Program, which was then affiliated with the Coalition of Essential Schools at Brown University. Mr. Afsai also went to school in Israel.
...Susan Friendson, Head of the English Department, was for many years part of the Rhode Island Shakespeare Company in Newport, Rhode Island. She attended Trinity Repertory's Acting Conservatory.
...Ron Carreiro built sets for Hollywood before he became Carpentry Teacher at the Hanley Vocation School, the vocational arm of Central High School. Last year, Mr. Carreiro and his students built stage boxes for Central's theater production of Runaways.
...Joe Langevin, Chemistry teacher, spent many years as a successful science researcher before becoming a high school teacher.
...Peter Basiliere was a fireman before he started teaching special needs students at Central.
...Richard Gurspan, English teacher, worked as a contractor before becoming a teacher not so many years ago.
Teacher profiles
“Being a student at Central High School for the past three and one half years has been a little bumpy. But as I walk the hallways and go to lunch, all I really see is students, and a few teacher assistants trying to rush you out of the hallways as soon as possible. As far as I am concerned, they basically try to make me on time for classes, and try to keep me out of trouble. But across the hall from Ms. Almagno's office, there is a guidance counselor, Mrs. Farrenti who takes a different approach....”
As an assignment, students in Ted Fuller's 11th grade journalism class picked a Central High School faculty member to interview with the goal of learning more about their background, interests, and why they teach.
Click here to read a collection of these teacher profiles, created by students.

Did You Also Know?

There are 1,719 students at Central High School, each with their own story. There are so many things to know about us. Here we share just a few.

...Male students outnumber female students at Central, 930 to 789. Of the total population, 353 are African-American, 206 Asian, 999 Hispanic, 15 Native American, and 146 White.
...Central students come from 95 countries, representing 49 different language groups.
...Four years ago, the student absence rate was 40 percent; today it is 18 percent.
...On state tests, Central students have made significant gains in both Language Arts and Math, many moving to the “Achieved Standard” category. Central met 20 out of 21 targets established by the State Assessments; 98 percent of the students took the tests.
...Last year 245 students graduated from Central and 50 percent went on to college and other technical schools, including schools close by like Bryant College and Roger Williams University and regional schools like Boston University, Temple, New England Tech, and American International College.
...This year's senior class has the highest GPA of any class in the last 5 years, the highest SAT scores, and the largest percentage of students applying to postsecondary education. They are applying to schools like MIT, Brown, Providence College, Duke, Smith, Simmons, Howard, Clark Atlanta, and Bates.
...Over 70 percent of the Class of '05 started at Central, which is extraordinary given the high mobility rate in Providence public schools. They were the first class to be part of Central's 9th grade team structure
...Central students excel in sports. This year the football team won the Division and Super Bowl titles. Students have also played championship games in boy's basketball and girl's volleyball, basketball and tennis.
...Central students gathered and distributed Thanksgiving baskets with all of the trimmings to 25 needy families this year. They visited Bannister House, just before the holidays, to speak to elderly residents and sing Christmas songs.
Student profiles
“If anyone was to tell a story about her life, Karinta said it would have to be the day that her grandmother passed away. When she died, her mother and her brothers and sisters all fell apart. Her grandmother was the only the one who kept the family together, and the only one who'd made every one get along with each other. Her grandmother had fourteen children, though three died.”
“Nothing separates Victor from school since he has plans in his life. He plans to succeed and prove to a lot of people that don't believe in him that they are wrong.”
Students in Ted Fuller's journalism class also picked a Central HS student to interview. They asked questions like, “What makes you unique?” or “Can you tell me about a life changing moment?” They learned a lot about the hardships and triumphs of their classmates.
Click here to read some of their portraits.

...Central's student government recently organized a spirit week to celebrate the sports and academic accomplishments, including a major rally that attracted hundreds of students and teachers. Philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein came to thank the students for their commitment to each other and public service in the community.

...Central students spend after-school hours at New Urban Arts, Community Music Works, and AS220, all nearby arts organizations with studios and programs for young people. Tenth grader Kyhree Brown won second place in a recent AS220 Poetry Slam. Elizabeth Enencruz, also a 10th grade student and an accomplished actress, won first.

...Four Central students serve on the district wide youth advisory committee, which consults with the superintendent and her staff on high school reform.

...Student Eduardo Hopp is a champion wrestler and ranked 3rd nationally. Because Central does not have a wrestling Team, Eduardo works with wrestlers at Mt. Pleasant High School to preparation for competition. Junior Yalimar Vidal is one of only two female wrestlers in the city. Like Eduardo, she competes statewide as a member of the Mount Pleasant wrestling team.

...Senior Jason Garcia is an amazing soccer player who is in high demand. In addition to high school competitions, he has been playing in the semi-professional leagues for some time.

Central High School | 70 Fricker St., Providence, RI 02903 | 401.456.9111
What Kids Can Do, Inc. | PO Box 603252, Providence, RI 02906 | 401.247.7665