Founded in 2001 in partnership with the United Way of Rhode Island’s Community Schools RI (CSRI) initiative and Newport Public Schools, the Newport Community School (NCS) has had a thriving presence in both Thompson Middle School (TMS) and Rogers High School (RHS), providing out-of-school time programs to the community’s secondary grade level students and their families.

In the summer of 2009, NCS expanded to offer NCS Connects. This program addresses barriers to learning by improving access to wellness, mental health, and family support services. These services encourage family involvement and link home, school, and community as essential to success.

In January of 2010, the Aquidneck Island Adult Learning Center (AIALC) merged to become a division of NCS, continuing to provide, at more than ten sites, comprehensive services including academic assessment, literacy and numeracy instruction, workplace literacy, job readiness skills, high school completion, vocational training, and counseling services. All AIALC programs have an underlying focus: the active recruitment of early school leavers and special populations; assisting adult learners to become literate members of the community; assisting adult learners to become economically self-sufficient; and providing various services that offer opportunities to complete a secondary credential. 

With the addition of NCS Connects and AIALC, Newport Community School is a comprehensive provider of academic and social support for youth to adult learners in Newport County and is considered one of Rhode Island’s premiere school reform strategy models, making positive and meaningful change in our local community. The organization has a track record of success, demonstrated by annual program evaluations and external reviews by independent parties. It is a flourishing organization with a loyal following among both youth and adults and is well respected by its community partners.