Providence Public School District

Office of Innovation Zone

797 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903-4045
tel. 401.278.2099
fax 401.456.9252
www.ppsdinnovationzone.org

JORGE O. ELORZA

Mayor
SUSAN F. LUSI, PH.D
Superintendent

Opportunity by Design (OBD) High School housed at Hope HS

Staff Overview
SCHOOL DESCRIPTION
The Opportunity by Design (OBD) High School housed at Hope High School is committed to preparing each
student for outstanding success in college and career. The OBD High School housed at Hope will immerse
students in real-world learning experiences and civic involvement throughout their four years. Students will design
their own successful paths for high school, college, career and life. Guided by a commitment to courageous
innovation and democratic principles, we seek to provide students with 360-degrees of opportunity and support in
order to cultivate the belief that their futures are limitless. Students, families, staff and community members will play
an active role in guiding our ongoing development.
Our school will open in September 2015 for approximately 100 9th graders (adding one grade each year). Our
instructional framework centers on personalized, mastery-based approaches and flexible use of time and resources,
allowing students to both recoup and accelerate their learning. Centered on the Carnegie Corporation of New
Yorks School Design Principles, this school has been designed with student, educator, family and community
participation in the design process. The school will follow PPSDs regular student calendar and the approximate
start/end times of the co-located school (Hope High School). More information about the Carnegie School Design
Principles is available here: http://ow.ly/L4Tnp

OUR FOUNDING STAFF

The OBD High School housed at Hope High School will open in the 2015-2016 school year welcoming an
th
inaugural 9 grade class and continue to grow by one grade level each year. The founding team will build on the
work developed by community, educator and student members of the initial design team to drive the direction for a
small, innovative high school with high expectations for collaboration, academic work, inclusiveness, and civic
involvement. Join a motivated team of like-minded individuals who:

Demonstrate flexibility, a student-centered perspective, and the ability to cope with change quickly as the
school constantly innovates and changes in order to improve.
Are dedicated to positive youth growth and development.
Demonstrate an all hands on deck attitude to do whatever it takes to accelerate student achievement
regardless of role.
Believe that all students can succeed and be willing to provide a personalized learning experience that
cultivates students growth mindset.
Are highly motivated to practice effective collaboration skills with diverse groups.
Have the ability to be a warm, caring team player.
Are comfortable working in innovative setting, willing to test new ideas and adapt well to change.
Have the ability to use technology in creative ways and willing to take initiative to adapt technology to
promote student learning in innovative ways.

Demonstrate willingness to and ability to continuously learn, develop and evolve new skills and support
colleagues in the development of their skills in all Microsoft Office applications and relevant web
applications

Because roles in small, innovative schools are complex and require tremendous individual and collective effort, we
encourage all staff members to become involved in all school aspects such as:
Participating in professional development for whole staff as well as individualized learning opportunities
based on personalized needs and interests.
Maintaining positive, service-oriented interactions will all students, families, staff and visiting members of
the community.
Embracing the work of a start-up organization with a focus on personalized, mastery-based learning and
interdisciplinary projects.
Tackling problems with a solution-focused approach.
Promoting opportunities for student contribution to the schools ongoing improvement and design
evolution.
Promoting/developing school-family and school-community partnerships in support of student learning.
Working carefully and thoughtfully to prepare students for transitions into high school and past graduation
(college and career).
Integrating school theme(s) into all student experiences.
Creating a safe and supportive learning environment with routines and structures that align with schools
values and promote a school atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social,
and emotional development of all students.
Communicating and interacting effectively, appropriately and professionally with students, colleagues,
parents and the community.
Supporting school leadership.