Nantucket schools describe applied‑learning pilot, school visits and teacher supports

Cyrus Pierce Middle School Principal Michael Horton and high‑school administrators told the committee the district’s applied‑learning work is moving from visits and discovery into classroom pilots and teacher coaching funded by grants.

Horton described visits to a series of public schools in Boston, Washington and Philadelphia and said those visits influenced a district focus on “real‑world problems” and soft skills such as collaboration and persistence. He said applied learning helps students answer “why am I learning this?” and reported the middle school’s pilot focuses on essential learning outcomes that build across grades 6–8.

The high school is in a discovery phase and has visited Boston and Denver area schools to study models for project‑based learning and career pathways. Administrators said several external resources and curricula have been provided through grant funding, including Project Lead The Way and social‑studies materials connected to the Democratic Knowledge Project. Administrators emphasized ongoing coaching and in‑district professional development funded by the grant to support teachers in adapting existing lessons rather than replacing the district’s program of study.

Horton urged committee members to view student work and the classroom posters after the meeting. He cited examples collected on visits: interactive activities that let students demonstrate knowledge physically (a life‑sized heart mapping exercise), team progress charts that hold group members accountable, and frequent oral presentations and public‑speaking practice in visited schools. High‑school leaders said applied learning is intended to complement, not replace, standards‑based instruction and standardized assessments.

Administrators said the district’s applied‑learning activities began with visits in early 2024 and that the program has been supported by an external foundation grant; they said teacher training and follow‑up coaching are part of the grant support. The committee discussed concerns about balancing applied learning with the need to prepare students for standardized tests; Horton and colleagues said applied learning is meant to improve engagement and recall not to eliminate paper‑and‑pencil assessments.

Committee members praised the emphasis on engagement and student accountability; the meeting also noted that some visited schools served high proportions of students of color and English learners and that those schools had low chronic absenteeism and high graduation rates, suggesting applied models could serve similar Nantucket student groups.

Administrators named Shonda Bartlett as the current lead for school‑to‑career work. No policy votes followed this presentation; administrators said they will bring staff and teacher input as they refine pilot choices and professional‑development plans.