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Swampscott program of studies would reinstate honors track, add marine science and arts electives
Summary
At the March 12 School Committee meeting, staff presented a proposed Program of Studies that would bring back an honors level alongside AP courses, add electives including marine science and street poetry, and change the history/course sequencing. Counselors will share details with families starting March 16.
At the Swampscott School Committee’s meeting on March 12 at Swampscott High School, staff outlined a proposed 2026–27 Program of Studies that would reintroduce an honors designation alongside Advanced Placement (AP) offerings and add several new electives.
Mrs. Otto, who presented the program, said the district will “offer an honors level” in junior and senior-year courses “instead of having additional sections of ACP,” explaining the change is intended to give students more support and options between ACP and AP pathways. The plan would not change staffing levels but would add an honors track in courses such as English and some math sequences.
The presentation described course-sequence changes: U.S. history is now taught in grade nine as part of a shifted sequence (grade 9: U.S. history 1; grade 10: world history 1; grade 11: world history 2), which delays some AP U.S. offerings until students are eligible in later years. Staff said AP U.S. history will be offered in 12th grade once sufficient students are eligible.
Academic supports and new electives were highlighted. The district plans to expand targeted instruction (the K–6 TR program) and deploy software tools in the Discovery Learning Center. New or returning electives listed in the draft program include street poetry/hip-hop, Communication for the Real World, marine science, Astronomy 2, an intro-to-music-theory honors section, music technology, and retail management. The presentation also noted AP courses on alternating cycles; AP biology and AP macro were mentioned as returning on a cycle.
Superintendent Emily reported strong special-education audit results and academic indicators in early grades, saying the district had “flawless compliance reviews with absolutely no findings” and cited large percentage improvements in some K–4 measures (presented as a 58% increase in ELA grade-level achievement and a 102% increase in K–4 math grade-level achievement in the materials shown to the committee). Staff characterized those figures as one data point but as evidence of progress tied to targeted instruction.
Student representative Leah told the committee she supported the honors option, saying, “the addition of the honors class is like really good option,” particularly for students transitioning from middle to high school who need a bridge between ACP and AP coursework.
Staff also described dual-enrollment work with Northshore Community College and pathway expansions (business and finance, TV/media) that could give students college credit and technical experience. Counselors will present information to students and families beginning Monday, March 16; students will meet with counselors in April to finalize recommendations and course selections.
Next steps: The Program of Studies will be distributed to students and families beginning March 16 with follow-up meetings, counselor reviews and opportunities to request overrides; final scheduling will continue through April.
