Proposed New England Technical Academy to Serve 1,100 Students by 2035, Expanding Access to Career and Technical Education and Bridging Rhode Island’s Workforce Gap
Backed by the New England Institute of Technology and major industry leaders, this bold charter public high school will offer rigorous training in pre-engineering, IT, and health sciences, fields projected to generate over 8,000 jobs annually in RI
PROVIDENCE, RI – A proposed early-college, career and technical education (CTE) charter public high school aims to transform how Rhode Island prepares students for college and for high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers, directly supporting Governor Dan McKee's RI 2030 Plan goals to expand opportunity and strengthen the state's workforce.
New England Technical Academy (NETA) will blend rigorous academics with hands-on, industry-aligned training in pre-engineering, information technology, and health sciences, fields with pressing workforce needs in Rhode Island. Graduates will have the opportunity to earn both industry credentials and up to one full year of college credit. The tuition-free charter public high school expands access to CTE education for students who have historically had limited opportunities in these specialized programs. Seventy-five percent of seats will be reserved for students from Providence and Pawtucket, while the remaining twenty-five percent will be available to students statewide.
"Research shows that students who take rigorous CTE courses alongside college-level academics are more likely to graduate, attend postsecondary programs, and earn higher wages," said Victor Capellan, founder and CEO of Rhode Island Education Collective, which helped design the NETA proposal. "NETA brings that opportunity to every student through an open and equitable enrollment process that removes barriers, like entrance exams and other requirements, that have historically made CTE programs inaccessible to many students in our state."
New England Institute of Technology (NEIT), a proven leader in technical education for more than 40 years, is serving as the sponsoring entity for NETA and will provide students access to the college's state-of-the-art laboratories, instruction, and faculty mentorship.
"NETA is about reimagining how we connect education to opportunity," said Amy Grzybowski, Chair of the NETA Board of Directors and Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Relations at NEIT. "It's not just good for students—it's good for Rhode Island. NETA is what our state needs to stay competitive in a changing economy."
If approved this school year by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education, NETA will open in fall 2026 in Providence with 144 ninth graders, expanding to more than 1,100 students by 2035. It will serve as both a public education innovation hub and a workforce development engine. The proposal has garnered over 1,500 letters of support from individuals and 38 formal endorsements from industry and nonprofit partners statewide.
Addressing Rhode Island's Access Gap
Despite progress in expanding CTE options in Rhode Island, access to these specialized programs is uneven. White students make up 55% of the state's student body but hold 66% of CTE seats, while multilingual learners and students with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented.
NETA will address this inequity by enrolling students through an open lottery process without application requirements such as tests, essays, or recommendation letters—barriers that currently make it difficult for many students to apply to CTE schools. Seventy-five percent of NETA's seats will serve students from Providence and Pawtucket, and the remaining twenty-five percent of seats will be open to students statewide.
“We’re removing obstacles that have kept too many families from accessing high-quality, career-connected education,” said Joshua Laplante, Founding Superintendent of NETA. “Every child deserves the chance to build their future through hands-on, real-world learning.”
Through the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) partnership, NETA students will earn college credits, industry certifications, and real-world experience through internships and apprenticeships. The combination of early-college coursework and hands-on learning creates a “triple preparation” model – academic, professional, and personal.
According to RIDE data, only 33% of multilingual learners and 35% of students with disabilities currently pursue postsecondary education, compared to 65% of their peers. By providing early exposure to college coursework and career credentials, NETA will close that gap, giving students both the credentials and confidence to transition successfully to college and career.
Meeting Workforce Demands Through Three Career Pathways
NETA’s three CTE pathways, pre-engineering, information technology, and health sciences, are designed to meet the state’s most pressing workforce needs. Together, these industries are projected to generate more than 8,000 jobs annually across Rhode Island. The pathways include programs such as Mechanical Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cyber-Security, Surgical Care and Veterinary Technology, among others.
Each pathway blends classroom instruction with hands-on industry experience. Students collaborate with mentors from major employer, such as General Dynamics Electric Boat and Brightstar Lottery, gaining real-world career exposure before graduation.
“This is about preparing students for the world they’ll actually live and work in,” said Laplante. “When our students design, code, or diagnose, they’re doing it in real labs, alongside professionals who’ve built successful careers in those fields. That kind of learning changes everything; it builds confidence, competence, and purpose.”
Laplante said the school will also focus on personalized learning, advisory programs, and leadership development to help students navigate their individual paths to success. “We’re not just preparing graduates, we’re developing the next generation of Rhode Island’s problem solvers, innovators, and community leaders.”
Broad Community Support
Over the past two years, Rhode Island Education Collective and New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) have engaged with educators, parents, and community stakeholders to design NETA, garnering over 1,500 letters of support and 38 formal endorsements from industry and nonprofit partners statewide.
Supporters include: Access Point, American Council of Engineering Companies of Rhode Island, RI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Center for Southeast Asians, Energy Development Partners, RI Life Science Hub, RI Department of Health, RI Department of Environmental Management, SENEDIA, Town of East Greenwich, Town of Westerly, and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
"Supporting NETA means supporting the future of Rhode Island and giving children of color who have been left behind a fair shot to learn, to earn, and to lead," Capellan said. "We're building a bridge between public education and prosperity."
About Rhode Island Education Collective
Launched in 2024, Rhode Island Education Collective is a nonprofit working to ensure that every child in our state—regardless of their race, economic situation or where they live—can go to a great public school. The Collective empowers the people who are part of our schools and neighborhoods, especially those historically marginalized by the public education system, to help create the change our students need. Learn more at RIEducationCollective.org
