What's Special About Providence Day
Academics
- Over the past 10 years, Providence Day has had 98 National Merit Finalists and 139 National Merit Commended Students
- Class of 2024 graduates were offered more than $20 million in merit scholarships; they were accepted at a PD-record 231 colleges in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and four foreign countries
- The Class of 2024 included PD's 17th Morehead-Cain Scholar, and our first 2 QuestBridge Scholars
- Class of 2024 - SAT mean 1321 reading score and ACT mean composite 28. See more in our Academic Profile.
- Colleges acceptances - 100% of our graduates attend four-year colleges and universities
- 236 faculty in 2022-23; 115 hold master's degrees and above
Arts
Students from TK to 12th grade are encouraged to find and pursue their passions through the exploration of band, chorus, orchestra, theatre, production and design, and visual arts. Over the last five years:
- Our Theater Program has competed and won at the regional NCTC competition and advanced to the state level with two different one-act plays.
- We have offered over 40 masterclass opportunities for students in the performing arts.
- We have received multiple Blumey nominations, including Best Musical for 'Xanadu' in 2022.
- Our musical ensembles have received over 50 superior ratings at adjudicated performances.
- Over 100 student musicians have been selected for honors ensembles such as All-District, All-State, Honors Chorus, Western Regionals, and North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) Honors Ensembles.
- Visual Arts courses provide essential experiences for Providence Day students. Whether manipulating studio media, developing film in the darkroom, or using unconventional materials, our students explore multiple outlets for creative, meaningful expression.
Visual Arts courses provide essential experiences for Providence Day students. We are a process-oriented department, providing a curriculum that emphasizes the development of technical skill, conceptual thinking, critical analysis, aesthetic awareness, and cultural context. Whether manipulating studio media, developing film in the darkroom, or creating digitally, our students explore multiple outlets for creative, meaningful expression. In the last five years:
- Added a National Art Honor Society Chapter
- Hold annual art shows and receptions
- Redesigned and added courses to meet our student needs and interests
- Updated art displays in the McMahon Fine Arts Foyer
Athletics
Providence Day is a member of the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) and the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA).
Honors and accolades from 2023-2024:
- 2023-2024 Wells Fargo Cup Champion
- The Wells Fargo Cup represents overall excellence in high school athletics among member institutions of the NCISAA. Providence Day has won the cup 11 times with the most recent title in 2023-2024.
- 27 College Signees
- 4 State Team Titles
- 15 Individual State Champions
- 7 State Runner-Up Teams
- 7 CISAA Conference Players of the Year
- 146 CISAA All-Conference Student-Athletes
- 48 NCISAA All-State Student-Athletes
- 2 Gatorade Players of the Year
- #1 Nationally Ranked Girls Soccer Team
Global Education
- Since 2007, more than 250 students have graduated with an additional diploma in Global Studies, the first in the nation, and have placed into America’s top colleges
- Exposure to world language begins in TK and students declare a language of focus in 2nd grade.
- Global travel opportunities exist through Round Square membership and conference participation, along with faculty-led spring break and summer travel options.
- Our global curriculum: “Providence Day is considered a national leader in the field of Global Education.” – Southern Association of Independent Schools 2019 Accreditation Committee
- Global Educator Certificates (GEC) for teachers involving language study, travel to at least two different countries and cultures, and sharing learning from the experience with the Providence Day community.
Innovation
- The school has launched IDEAS@PD, a new curricular focus combining Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship, Analytics, and Sustainability, and housed in the new IDEAS Xchange space in the Dickson-Hemby Technology building.
- PD is home to innovative facilities that enable early and ongoing STEAM opportunities, design-thinking, and processes including science labs, a Makerspace, engineering labs, and a recording studio.
- PD’s innovative Center for the Art & Science of Teaching, Learning, and Entrepreneurship which helps our faculty use design thinking and other tools to explore crafting the best possible learning opportunities and solutions.
- PD's “One to World” Initiative school with a student-centered process extending beyond the classroom; learning is an active process and providing digital tools empowers students to be more active participants in their learning experiences.
- Each year since 2015-16, PD Science Olympiad teams have placed in the top 10 Regional teams and three have gone on to place at the State competition.
- PD eCybermission teams were state finalists in 2018; won STEM-in-action grants in 2020 and 21; and were the regional winners in 2021, ranking in the top 20 teams nationally. In 2022, the "River Revivers" team was a national finalist and won the national "People's Choice" award.
Values
- Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging - PD fully embraces equity, inclusion, and belonging. The PD community has 72 different countries of origin represented and 38% students of color. The above video serves as a brief introduction; for more in-depth content please visit PD's Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Annual Report.
- Curriculum focuses beyond academics and includes social-emotional growth.
- Community Engagement and a service focus across all grade levels including over 30 student-run service clubs and a strong Freedom School partnership.