It is our great honor to invite you to attend the Slater Middle School 100th Anniversary Celebration commemorating the school’s service as a junior high/middle school. The event will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 281 Mineral Spring Avenue, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Originally constructed in 1914 as the Abbott Street School, a grammar school, the building was transformed in 1923 into one of Rhode Island’s first junior high schools. Officially opening its doors on September 9, 1925, with 1,000 students in grades 7 through 9, the school was later renamed Samuel Slater Junior High School in honor of the industrial pioneer whose mill helped launch the American Industrial Revolution.
Over the decades, Samuel Slater Middle School has established a proud legacy of excellence. It received a ten-year accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges—at the time, the only Pawtucket school to do so. In the 1990s, a prestigious Carnegie grant helped the school transition to the middle school concept. The school has also secured multiple Champlin and Eisenhower grants to enhance its infrastructure and technology. Additionally, Slater was among the first in the state to receive Robert Wood Johnson funds to establish a Child Opportunity Zone program and school-based health center.
In 2005, Slater was named a Spotlight School by the New England League of Middle Schools, highlighting its model programs and commitment to innovative teaching practices. Over the years, Slater has earned numerous city and state championships in athletics, mock trial, science fairs, and art competitions.
The centennial celebration will include a brief speaking program at 12:30 PM, featuring a welcome from Principal Danielle Bishop and remarks from Mayor Donald Grebien, a proud Slater alumnus. Student Council members will offer guided tours, and guests can enjoy a pictorial history display of the school.
All current and former students, teachers, support staff, and community members are warmly invited to attend this special event to reconnect, explore the school’s rich history, and celebrate its enduring legacy.