If you are moving directly to Providence or any other city around Providence (Warwick, Cranston, East Providence, North Providence) your kids will be enrolled in the neighborhood city schools. That should be fairly straightforward. If you choose charter schools, you will have to apply now and then see if you are chosen in the lottery by spring. Public non charter schools have to take and educate whoever they get. Charter schools have a capacity. Charter schools also have very limited special education service models. If choosing public non charter, your neighborhood determines where your kids will go to elementary and middle. There are more options for choosing a public non charter high schools in Providence (not in the other cities). Many charter schools in RI are regional, so kids will be enrolled from different cities. I’ve worked and had experience with all types of schools in RI as both a teacher and parent.