High school proposes new courses, committee approves program of studies
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Summary
North Attleborough High School presented a revised program of studies proposing 17 modifications including a new calculus-honors option, sports-related courses, Art Shop and an engineering sequence; the committee approved the program as recommended by the curriculum subcommittee.
Principal Haviland and high-school leaders presented the 2025–26 program of studies at the Feb. 4 meeting, describing 17 modifications intended to increase academic support and offer new, career-relevant courses.
“I am proud of the people that wrote it,” Principal Haviland said, noting the proposal aligns with the district vision for “success for all students” and deeper learning. The changes include new targeted interventions (ELA and math labs), a calculus-honors course as a non-AP pathway after trigonometry, and a reworked engineering sequence (Engineering 1 and Engineering 2) that covers both mechanical and electrical topics.
Staff also proposed several high-interest courses designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications: sociology; sports statistics; sports officiating; nutrition and sports medicine; and a new Art Shop class that pairs art-making with business and marketing coursework to help students develop products and entrepreneurial skills. The program would expand unified physical education for grades 9–12 (2.5 credits), intended to create inclusive experiences and pathways for students interested in special education or careers in teaching.
Committee members praised the alignment with career-ready priorities, cross-disciplinary connections and the potential to engage a broader range of students. One committee member recalled how applied, interest-driven instruction improved college-level outcomes and urged continued emphasis on relevance.
The committee approved the program of studies as recommended by the curriculum and policy subcommittee (first reading and final approval recorded during the meeting). Staff said the program will be posted as a draft for public review and that second-reading procedural items will follow the district’s posting practices.
Next steps: the district will post the draft program of studies on the website, finalize any edits and implement approved course changes for the 2025–26 school year.
