Springfield Township SD presents revised middle school curriculum guide, new scheduling and annual math-placement process

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Springfield Township School District staff on April 23 presented the final middle school curriculum guide to the Academic Affairs Committee, outlining schedule changes, a new annual math-placement review and updates to STEM, music and special-area programming for the coming school year.

The guide, presented by Dr. Mangano, Jason Payne and Karen Brady on behalf of the middle school team and introduced by Assistant Superintendent Damien Johnston, is intended to combine the district’s stated vision and goals with practical changes to daily scheduling and course offerings. “We saved the best for last with the middle school,” Dr. Mangano said, adding later that the guide aims to make explicit “who we are” as a school.

District officials said the guide emphasizes three linked priorities: clearer expectations for families about programming and supports; deeper advisory and multi-tiered supports for students; and flexible course placement that adapts each year to students’ changing needs. “It’s all means all,” Dr. Mangano told the committee, describing the team’s emphasis on inclusive, individualized supports.

Major changes and what they mean

- Scheduling and specials: The middle school will move from a six-day rotation to a semester-based model with a two-day rotation for specials. Staff said the semester model simplifies the current cycle and is intended to provide clearer, protected rehearsal and class times for music (band and chorus), allow sixth- and seventh-grade students to take health and PE on a semester every-other-day schedule, and give eighth graders more pathway choices.

- Student…