Providence-area charter school open houses: a not-comprehensive post

I am gathering info about the various charter school open houses that are happening in/around Providence this week, and thought I'd share, in case anyone else is seeking same. This isn't comprehensive, as you will soon see; I'm looking just at the five charter schools that accept kindergarten students from Providence, and am in middle of gathering info*. There are other charters, of course - see the current list at the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools for the full rundown.

A few of these open houses have had to be rescheduled already due to the horrible weather. I would check directly with the schools about all of the following info to make sure that these dates/times are actually a go.

• The Learning Community: tomorrow! Thursday, February 3, 8:30-10:00am. Nope - will be rescheduled due to 2-hour delay due to bad road conditions. If I can make it whenever it's going to be rescheduled,  Reschedule! Tuesday, February 15, 5:30-7:00pm.  plan to be there.
• Paul Cuffee School: Tuesday, February 8, 6:00-7:00pm. I hope to be there.
• Highlander Charter School: Saturday, February 5, 10:00am-12:00pm
• International Charter School: no open house listed on website, which says to contact the school to set something up. I will call tomorrow and will share whatever info I get. Open houses are Friday, February 11 at 6:00pm and Saturday, 2/12 at 10:00am.
• Times2 Academy: Open house/info session already happened. Perhaps there will be another? I will call.

Important dates at all of them vary - applications aren't due at the same time nor are lotteries on the same day. Check with each school for specifics.

I would love, love, really love to hear any thoughts or impressions that visiting families have had about these schools - and others, of course. Please share - it's so useful, especially for those families that might be interested but can't get to the open houses or to the school for a tour.

*For those who might know my family's situation: our two oldest kids have been doing very well at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, a public school in Providence, and I expect that our third kid, due to enter kindergarten in the fall, will go to King as well. That said, I sure do owe it to him to be aware of options, and to think carefully about the best opportunity for him. Given the competition for charters, a seat at any one of these five may not actually be an opportunity, but I am looking and thinking about it nonetheless.