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Published – September 29, 2022

Student safety at Woonsocket Public Schools was called into question between August and December 2021 following reports of a school shooting threat, bullying, and multiple fights. 

According to the Valley Breeze, “The Woonsocket School Committee meeting on May 25 included a call from one teacher for a new safety program to be implemented.” One community member, who identified as an employee of the Woonsocket Education Department, insisted the district provide ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and educate) safety training.

Additionally, Valley Breeze reports, “Chairperson Paul Bourget later told The Breeze that all safety matters are handled by a facilities and safety subcommittee…[and] his understanding is that ALICE might not be feasible for Woonsocket.”

In December 2021, two Woonsocket schools were locked down twice in one day after reports of students bringing weapons onto campus. According to Patch, “Superintendent Patrick McGee said…the first incident occurred at the Villa Nova Middle School when the administrator received a report that a student brought a gun to school. McGee said the school was immediately placed in lockdown.” The police search revealed the student had a knife, but no gun. 

The second report of a student with a gun occurred at Woonsocket High School, but no weapon was found. “On March 18, 2022, there was an altercation between many students at Woonsocket High School that was recorded and posted on social media…Three students were arrested, [no weapons were found],” according to Valley Breeze. 

Woonsocket’s overall Niche grade is a ‘C-’, which encompasses a 12% math proficiency and 16% in reading. However, the district received an ‘A’ for diversity based on student and parent responses to a racial and economic diversity survey. District policy initiatives include behavioral and mental health resources with hotlines for teen dating violence, sexual assault, LGBT issues, and mental health crises. No active shooter safety protocols are available.

Woonsocket Public Schools main policy page says the Woonsocket School Committee is “currently in the process of revising its policies” and advises the public to monitor the website or visit administrative offices for updates.

Woonsocket Public Schools has 5,742 students enrolled in PK and K-12 across eight schools.