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Quincy High outlines NEASC-focused improvement plan, targets chronic absenteeism and curriculum alignment
Summary
Quincy High School leaders presented a school improvement plan focused on NEASC accreditation priorities, new curriculum adoption (VISTA and National Geographic), a goal to lower chronic absenteeism from 32% to 25.9%, and outstanding facility/technology needs including security cameras and auditorium upgrades.
Quincy High School Principal (Mr. Ford) and Assistant Principal Ed Smith presented the school’s 2024–25 School Improvement Plan to the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee, emphasizing accreditation work, targeted academic goals and student supports.
Ford said the plan builds on three NEASC-identified priority areas — vision of the graduate, curriculum planning and tiered monitoring systems — and continues schoolwide initiatives such as an advisory period and curriculum-guide alignment with the district. The plan sets a schoolwide absenteeism goal to reduce chronic absenteeism from 32% to 25.9% through targeted identification of at-risk students, attendance challenges, and collaboration with student support services and families.
Ed Smith reviewed assessment data: he reported mixed MCAS results for 2023–24, including a 5‑point drop in biology scores and modest gains in some math measures, and noted a 12% increase in ACCESS progress for the school’s EL population on the 2024 ACCESS test. Staff linked part of the high‑school MCAS variability to an influx of newcomers and to the fact that students who transfer in are still measured on grade‑level assessments immediately.
The plan includes department-level goals (math fluency, PE wellness, music proficiency), a new dean’s goal focused on attendance and conduct, and an action plan for curriculum implementation. Ford said curriculum adoption is staged to support teachers (monthly professional development, material exploration, observations) and that QHS will implement the VISTA curriculum at elementary levels and National Geographic materials at middle levels in alignment with district goals.
Leaders also described continuing facility needs: updating the security camera system, replacing ceiling projectors and interactive whiteboards, repairing sidewalks and ramps, and improving auditorium lighting and sound. Committee members raised concerns about the apparent lack of visible progress on some facility items, and staff said maintenance work orders have been filed and that facilities items will be prioritized for the Facilities Committee.
Committee members repeated interest in data presentations on discipline reporting (SSDR) and asked the district to present that data at a subsequent meeting. The committee approved the school improvement plan during the session.
