Award-winning Segue Institute for Learning Expands

Now, more than ever, rigorous alternative academic models are needed for students who would otherwise be assigned to low performing schools. Segue Institute for Learning is providing solutions to this challenge by launching the first whole-school educator prep pathway in the State of Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved the charter school to open “Segue Legacy Academy for Education". Launching with grade nine in 2024, this will be a high school which serves 400 students at scale.

Segue currently serves 360 students, kindergarten through 8th grade. With the addition of Legacy High School, Segue will now serve 760 students and open its doors to Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket high school students. The kindergarten to eighth grade (K-8) school will continue to only serve Central Falls students.

“We are thrilled to expand Segue to give students from the urban core community the opportunity to take ownership of their education,” says Founder and Executive Director Angelo Garcia.

The expansion gives Segue bragging rights as the first in the Ocean State and one of the first in the country to implement a whole school model which focuses entirely on preparing students for careers in the education sector.

Segue received the Catalyze Ignite Award, a prestigious national award allowed for funding of a design team. The Challenge is a collaborative funding initiative co-sponsored by American Student Assistance, Arnold Ventures, Charter School Growth Fund, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, the Charles Koch Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation.

A second round award recipient, Segue showcased an explicit focus on innovation and serving Black or Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), first generation students, and low-income students.

Nationwide, educator diversity in public schools does not reflect the diversity of the student population. Although more than 50% of students are Black or Latino, fewer than 20% of teachers are people of color. Research shows improved academic outcomes, lower suspension rates, and higher graduation rates are among the favorable outcomes that students get from exposure to teachers who share their racial and ethnic background.

The design team aims to add a diverse perspective to the design of the model and serves as a group of liaisons to the community on behalf of the school. The work is facilitated by Chiara Deltito-Sharrott of CDS Education Consulting.

Design team members include: Ann Manocchio, David Ahlborn, Joshua Flanagan, Antoinette Gomes, Megan Starr, Awilda Reinoso, Michael Campbell, Chanty Delrosario, Nickolas Vockerodt, Patricia Holliday, and Segue Institute Founders Angelo Garcia and Melissa Lourenco.

Segue administrators are actively seeking input in the planning process from students and the community.

“We welcome collaboration and community voices in the planning process,” said Garcia.

Segue is actively recruiting staff, including founding Head of School, to be onboarded in Summer 2023. Interested parties should monitor schoolspring.com or contact the school directly.

About the Segue Institute

The Segue Institute for Learning, is an independent charter school located at 325 Cowden Street in Central Falls. Now in its fourteenth year, Segue's mission is to foster a community where students take ownership of their education.

Segue was recently honored as a recipient of the Rhode Island ASCD's "Whole Child Award" and in 2022, a Segue educator was honored as a Milken Award recipient for practices as an outstanding educator in a high performing school.

For more information, contact founder and Executive Director Angelo Garcia at Angelo.garcia@segueifl.org.