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School committee advances 2026–27 high‑school Program of Studies, adds new electives and a teaching‑assistant pathway
Summary
The committee approved the 2026–27 high‑school Program of Studies with a friendly amendment removing a proposed 'Level 3' designation. The program adds a credit‑bearing SEL seminar sequence, freshman seminar, new world‑language electives (including Medical Spanish), an AP Seminar for sophomores and a pilot Teaching Assistant course for grades 11–12.
The North Attleborough School Committee approved the 2026–27 high‑school Program of Studies on Jan. 13 after district curriculum staff walked the committee through updates and new course proposals.
Staff proposed refined leveling language for honors and other levels, removed a mistakenly included "Level 3" designation and recommended clearer course descriptors so families and students know course expectations. "We're taking away the Level 3; it won't be considered as part of this," a staff presenter said when committee members raised the point, and a corrected version of the document was to be circulated.
The packet included two halves: edits to existing course descriptions and a set of new offerings. Notable new proposals include: making the SEL advisory sequence (Big Red 101–104) credit‑bearing (pass/fail) to increase student engagement; a one‑quarter freshman seminar to support transition skills; an AP Seminar course open to sophomores; and three world‑language electives (Social Justice in the Latin World, Medical Spanish and a global citizenship course). Staff also proposed a Teaching Assistant course for grades 11–12 to give students supervised, in‑class experience working with younger students and to cultivate leadership and career exploration.
District presenters said the Teaching Assistant course would not supplant teachers or carry grading/confidentiality duties; instead, the student assistants would provide targeted support under adult supervision. The proposal includes an application and selection process. Student leaders and committee members praised experiential learning and vertical alignment across grades.
A motion to approve the Program of Studies as recommended by the curriculum policy subcommittee, with the friendly amendment removing Level 3 language, carried on a voice vote (recorded as 6‑0; one member absent). District staff asked the committee to consider timing so the high school can begin scheduling and family meetings in February.
Committee members asked for a corrected public document before wider release and discussed whether a subcommittee or virtual meeting could satisfy reading requirements if the board moves the second and third readings together.
Next steps: staff will circulate a corrected Program of Studies, present again in February if needed, and begin scheduling outreach with families so course selection can proceed.
