Welcome to Woonsocket High School

School hours: 8:00 AM to 2:15 PM

777 Cass Avenue
Woonsocket, RI 02895
Phone 401-767-4700
Fax 401-767-4748

WACTC
OPEN HOUSE

UPCOMING EVENTS
August 25, 2025


Dear Students and Families,

As we begin the school year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new and returning students and families. I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the educational leader for Woonsocket High School and Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center. This year promises to be an exciting year with our continued commitment to the Woonsocket Education’s  Model of Instruction and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) initiatives. This summer, the PBIS team worked to strengthen our schoolwide systems in preparation for the 2025–26 school year. Together, we redesigned the Novan Notice, implemented Peace Areas, created a comprehensive acknowledgment system, and refined advisory, attendance, and orientation plans. Our work was guided by student voice, staff input, and our schoolwide values of being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.

Woonsocket High School is no longer identified as a Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) school. The most recent site visit by the Rhode Island Department of Education Schoolworks team demonstrated growth in all indicators, lifting the CSI status. We will continue to develop and implement a School Improvement Plan annually and self-monitor our progress toward our school goals.  I want to commend our staff and students for their efforts.

In November of this year, Woonsocket High School and Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center will be hosting a site visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) team. NEASC accreditation is a voluntary process that demonstrates a school’s commitment to self-reflection, transparency, and growth in the pursuit of high-quality learning for all students, and a learning community focused on the future. All NEASC Accreditation protocols are grounded in research-based standards and principles. They include foundational elements such as safety, governance, financial practices, etc., as well as a deep focus on high-quality teaching and learning- the holistic elements of a thriving, healthy learning community.

This year, our primary focus will be on student attendance. We will follow the Rhode Island Department of Education Attendance Matters guidance to support us in our efforts to improve attendance. Research shows that students who regularly attend school have improved academic and behavioral outcomes, fostering a true sense of belonging. Our PBIS team will reinforce positive behaviors with an acknowledgement system targeting our school values of Responsible, Respectful, and Safe. 

Coming Soon! The athletic complex is near completion, and we are due to start hosting games mid-September. I want to thank the community for their support of our student athletes. 

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns. Have a great year!

Respectfully,

Brian S. Ernest 
Principal
Woonsocket High School
Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center
Woonsocket Education Department