Kentucky School Advocate
June 2021

Staff report

More than a decade ago, Denise Bailey Adams helped found The Providence School and became the Jessamine County alternative school’s first principal.  

Now her name is on the building. The now-Jessamine County board member was honored April 28 at the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated school on Computrex Drive.  

“I’m humbled. I’m honored. … I’m just surprised,” Adams said when the Denise Bailey Adams Administrative Wing was unveiled according to the Jessamine Journal. The wing was part of the $7.7 million renovation and expansion from 14,000 to 19,000 square feet.

This year, the school returned to the building where it began after being housed in Wilmore for eight years.  

The school was created in 2001 when Adams and other school leaders combined three programs, the Independent High School, Wide Open Spaces and the program Adams led at the time, Jessamine Central. Over the past 18 years, the school has served more than 4,000 students, had 789 graduates and in 2019-20 has been named an alternative program of distinction at least twice by the Kentucky Department of Education.

“I’m beyond proud and grateful to say that we now have a structure that reflects the work and values that we place in these students, their education, and their future,” said Superintendent Matt Moore.

“Welcome home, Providence. Welcome home.”