School committee approves 2025–26 program of studies; leaders highlight applied‑learning and new pathways

The Town of North Brookfield School Committee approved the district’s program of studies for 2025–26 after administrators summarized proposed updates to graduation requirements and course offerings and teachers reported back from an applied‑learning site visit to Colorado.

What changed in the program of studies: administrators said the school committee would determine the graduation competency determination in light of the reduced role of MCAS for graduation. The committee approved a raise in the community‑service graduation requirement from 30 to 40 hours for grades 9–12 (10 hours per year). Summer‑school recoveries were limited to a maximum of two classes (principal discretion allowed). New elective offerings in math (statistics and quantitative reasoning), updated descriptions for forensics and brain‑and‑behavior science courses, and a new engineering and advanced‑manufacturing pathway were added to the catalog.

Applied learning and Project Lead The Way: staff who traveled to Denver and Boston described applied learning as project‑based, cross‑curricular work aligned with Universal Design for Learning and the district’s “open Sci” middle‑school science program. Teachers reported seeing student engagement rise where projects are meaningful and iterative; the district said it is applying for a second phase of grant support from the foundation that funded its first year of applied learning work.

Students and extracurriculars: the committee received a student representative report and heard about recent and upcoming student events including spirit week, class elections, field day, and the senior‑versus‑faculty basketball game. The student speaker, Nadine Grande, an eighth grader and student‑council officer, told the committee she felt the 6–12 building had become “my family” and expressed concern at the prospect of attending a larger district.

Vote and next steps: the motion to approve the 2025–26 program of studies was moved and seconded and the committee voted to adopt the document. Administrators said they will work on communication and course scheduling now that the changes are adopted, and that professional development tied to applied learning and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) will continue.

Context note: teachers and administrators asked the committee to consider course availability and student interest when scheduling new electives; several math and advanced courses were noted as semester or year‑long variations and will depend on enrollment.