To celebrate student voice at Rhode Island high schools, share state-based stories of student readiness, display art exhibits, and showcase high school transformation nationwide, XQ and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) held an interactive, self-guided public activation that highlighted the Rhode Island high school experience. This activation was a part of “Celebrating Educational Excellence” at WaterFire Providence on Saturday, September 18th. Governor Daniel McKee and RIDE Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green joined nearly 15,000 attendees and engaged with XQ’s education data walk installation. This experience included digital displays, data insights of RIDE students’ college and career readiness, and art+activism exhibits, all culminating in XQ’s community writing wall that captured community perspectives around how Rhode Island can deepen its investment in reimagining high school through new state and federal funding.
The activation also included live music, local art exhibits, and the renowned Inside Out Photobooth Truck. Together, we celebrated the educators, administrators, staff, and stakeholders that continue to do what is necessary to change the trajectory of young people’s lives for the better in Rhode Island.
The partnership between XQ and RIDE (XQ+RI) started in 2015—eventually expanding to public high schools statewide. High school teams received planning grants to submit high school redesign proposals. Out of this process emerged two XQ schools: Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA) and Ponaganset High School. XQ recognized 360 High School and Woonsocket High School with XQ Accelerator Awards and granted an additional 16 schools XQ Momentum Awards in March 2020.
Enjoy highlights of our activation above and learn more about our work with Rhode Island here.
Keep up the great work, Rhode Island!
