Block Island is a unique coastal community located 9 miles off the mainland, with a year-round population of around 1,000 residents that expands dramatically during the summer months. CIVIC worked with the New Shoreham School District to lead the educational facilities master planning for Block Island School, addressing the challenges and opportunities of serving a small, fluctuating island population.
In collaboration with the district and broader school community, CIVIC led the RIDE Necessity of School Construction Stage I process, conducting facility walkthroughs and stakeholder interviews to assess existing conditions and future needs. The work included a comprehensive needs assessment covering educational programming, demographic trends, and facility performance to inform long-term decision-making. Extensive engagement with students, teachers, staff, and residents was facilitated through community meetings, focus groups, surveys, and visioning sessions, ensuring that local voices meaningfully shaped the process. This approach supported the development of a forward-looking plan that reflects the school’s central role in island life while preparing it to meet future educational and community needs.