The renovated library at Nathan Bishop Middle School.
Formerly classified as a “school in need of improvement,” Nathan Bishop Middle School seemed a hopeless case just a few years ago. Declining enrollments and lagging scores provoked Superintendent Donnie Evans to announce its closure in 2006. But the Providence East Side community drew together in a network of support which eventually led to a 35 million dollar renovation and subsequent reopening of the school this year with a class of approximately 250 sixth graders.
This evening, the East Side public school hosted an open house with congratulatory speeches from Mayor David N. Cicilline, Providence Councilman Cliff Wood, a current student and former alum. Then neighbors and visitors took to the halls to explore past rows of shiny maroon lockers into their state-of-the-art science lab; art room; basketball courts; library packed with books and rows of new Dell computers; renovated historic theater; and classrooms equipped with smart boards.
Although it’ll be nearly a decade until my daughter enters the sixth grade, it was quite inspiring to see my city taking on the renovation of a school. Hopefully, there are more to come.
Nathan Bishop Middle School
www.providenceschools.org/schools/middle-schools/bishop.aspx
East Side Public Education Coalition
http://www.eastsideed.org/
Councilman Cliff Wood
www.councilmancliff.com
Other Articles:
The Rhode Less Traveled: A Rhode Island Blog 
As a Nathan Bishop student from (1955-1958} I am hoping that the new Nathan Bishop has been rid of the racism that the children of color experienced while I was a student. At the time the school was predominantly Jewish and trust me, they did not want us attending that school. We were never encouraged to take college level courses. And our guidance counselors discouraged us from taking the college bound classes. There was a class called the “Fresh Air Class” and guess who were the occupants? Yep…the kids of color. One white Jewish boy was put in that class. I will not give his name!
I will end with the fact that as an older than average student, I attended the University of Rhode Island. Of the six semesters I was on the dean’s list.
We, the east side and fox point students, that did not have parents that knew well enough to monitor or classes…ended up with students that may or may not have gone to high school.
Overall, enjoyed my three years at Nathan Bishop. I hope the newly refurbed school has lots of luck! Surely, we have grown to know that we all live in this world together regardless of the color of our skin!