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Marshwood High reports positive NEASC findings as visiting team recommends further systematizing supports
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Gowers told the board that the NEASC visiting team found the school met its foundational elements and moved from five of six to six of six standards, praised project-based learning and restorative practices, and recommended systematizing interventions and aligning curriculum to a new “vision of the graduate.”
Marshwood High School’s superintendent, Dr. Gowers, told the RSU 35/MSAD 35 school board that a recent New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) visiting team delivered a largely positive debriefing and that the accreditation commission will review formal findings in March.
The visiting team’s three‑day visit and subsequent reports examined the school’s foundational elements, professional practices, curriculum documentation and learning supports. "They found this to be a safe and supportive learning environment," Dr. Gowers said, adding that the team commended the district’s work on restorative practices, student affinity groups and expanded project-based learning.
Gowers said the school has strengthened its work on a “vision of the graduate” and documented curriculum alignment, moving from five of six standards met in prior reviews to what he described as "six out of six" in the visiting-team summary. He cautioned that the formal accreditation commission will make a final determination but said he saw no indication of concern.
The visiting team recommended that Marshwood better systematize multi-tiered interventions across the building, expand opportunities for capstone and ELO (extended learning opportunity) work, and further align assessments with project-based learning. According to Gowers, about 50–60 students currently participate in ELOs and the district offers several dual‑enrollment and independent-study options.
Board members and administrators welcomed the findings and noted the work required to make the vision of the graduate a working document for classrooms. Dr. Gowers said the team offered both commendations and recommended next steps, and he committed to sharing the commission’s final decision when it is released. "I'll share that happily in the meantime," he said, referring to the formal notice expected after the commission meets.
The board did not take action on accreditation at the meeting; the report served as an informational update and planning prompt for continued professional development and curriculum alignment.
