EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) — The New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) may soon become home to a brand new charter high school.

The East Greenwich-based university filed an application with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to open the charter school in time for the 2025-2026 academic year.

New England Tech Academy, if approved, will initially be open to an inaugural 9th grade class of 144 students, according to the application. NEIT’s goal is to eventually serve 1,152 students across two high schools by the 2033-2034 academic year.

“We felt like this was our next natural progression to help the state with post-secondary attainment opportunities for students, particularly in the urban core,” NEIT’s Amy Grzybowski said.

The charter school would be open to high schoolers statewide, but would primarily recruit prospective students from Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls.

“We are focusing at least 75% of enrollment on Pawtucket, Central Falls and Providence, with the goal at least 50% from Providence,” Grzybowski explained.

The charter school would give students the opportunity to take college-level courses through three educational pathways: pre-engineering, including electrical, mechanical and civil; computer science, including cybersecurity, software engineering, game design, artificial intelligence and networking; and health sciences, including nursing, surgical technologist, occupational therapy, physical therapy and paramedic.

Grzybowski said through these pathways, students can, at most, get their first year of college courses under their belt before graduating high school.

RIDE is accepting public comment regarding NEIT’s proposal through Oct. 11 and intends to make a decision by the end of the year.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.