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Superintendent reports small October enrollment drop and stronger-than-expected MCAS growth
Summary
Superintendent reported district enrollment at 1,662 (down eight from September) and said MCAS student-growth percentiles rose by 6 points in ELA and 7 points in math compared with last year, placing the district above the state average in ELA growth.
Superintendent Beth reported the district’s official October enrollment on Oct. 8 as 1,662 students, an eight-student decrease from September’s 1,670. The superintendent said October’s enrollment figure becomes the official count used for state reporting and many grant and funding decisions for the coming year.
By school, the superintendent reported no change at Nantucket Elementary School; an increase of four students at Nantucket Intermediate School; one fewer student at Cyrus Pierce School; and 11 fewer students at Nantucket High School compared with September. Committee members and administrators said some of the early-year unenrollments reflected students leaving for private schools.
The superintendent also addressed recent MCAS accountability data. She said the district recorded gains in student growth percentiles of 6 points in English language arts and 7 points in math compared with the prior year, putting Nantucket Public Schools above the state average in ELA growth and on par with the state in math growth. Cyrus Pierce Middle School showed the largest achievement gains, while Nantucket Intermediate School showed steady progress in science; Nantucket High School performed above the state average in ELA.
The district plans a deep-dive workshop on Oct. 22 to review 2025 MCAS results and district accountability ratings with principals and assistant principals. The superintendent said the state’s release of results was later than desirable and noted a new state education commissioner; she said the district will ask the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for earlier releases in future years.
The superintendent also briefed the committee on new e-bike registration and safety rules: as of Oct. 2, e-bikes must be parked at a designated area near the basketball courts; students must register e-bikes with school front offices by Oct. 15, sign a contract and take an annual safety course; and Massachusetts law requires helmets for riders under 17. The superintendent said students who fail to comply after Oct. 15 will lose riding privileges and parents will be called to remove bikes.
