Weymouth Schools Adopt New Student Graduation Requirements
Approve Residency Verification Policy
WEYMOUTH - October 23 - The Weymouth School Committee voted unanimously on October 23, 2025, to approve new graduation requirements and competency determinations for Weymouth High School students, replacing the MCAS test as the primary graduation benchmark. The policy, which aligns with state requirements following the elimination of MCAS as a graduation requirement, establishes new pathways for students to demonstrate competency in core subjects including English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and U.S. history.
The Full Story
The school committee’s action comes as Massachusetts transitions away from MCAS as a graduation requirement. Weymouth High School Assistant Principal Malissa Northup presented the updated competency determination standards, emphasizing that Weymouth’s local graduation requirements remain significantly more rigorous than the state’s minimum standards.
Under the new policy, students beginning with the Class of 2027 will need to receive a final passing grade in a one-credit U.S. history course to meet the competency determination for history. However, Weymouth High School’s actual graduation requirements already exceed this standard, requiring students to complete more extensive coursework across multiple disciplines.
The policy allows for alternative pathways to demonstrate competency, including portfolio-based assessments for students in special circumstances. Northrup clarified that these provisions primarily apply to international students arriving without school records or homeschooled students whose course titles don’t align with traditional naming conventions. She noted that such cases are extremely rare and require documentation showing the student is performing at an advanced level in their current courses.
Committee member Danielle Graziano raised concerns about ensuring equity in case-by-case evaluations. Northrup responded that any alternative assessment would be based on the student’s current high school transcript and demonstrated performance level, ensuring decisions are not arbitrary.
The competency determination policy also maintains provisions for students with significant cognitive disabilities who complete the MCAS-ALT portfolio assessment. Committee member Kathy Curran noted satisfaction that civics education remains embedded in the graduation requirements, with students completing a half-credit civics course and civic projects as part of any history elective.
In a separate but related action, the committee combined the second and third readings and unanimously approved Policy JF, which establishes mandatory annual residency verification requirements for all students. The policy, presented by committee member Dana Scott in his capacity as policy subcommittee chair, requires families to recertify their residency each school year to ensure students are enrolled in the correct district.
The meeting featured presentations from three elementary school principals who outlined their school improvement plans for the 2025-2026 academic year. Heather Ronan from Pingree Elementary, Kathleen Connelly-Day from Ralph Talbot Elementary, and Francesca McDevitt from Nash Elementary each presented comprehensive data showing strengths and areas for improvement in student belonging, academic achievement, and family engagement.
A common theme across all three schools was a concerning decrease in students’ sense of belonging, as measured by the Panorama student survey administered to grades three through five. While other metrics showed improvement, including supportive relationships and social awareness, the decline in belonging prompted all three principals to outline specific action plans addressing this challenge.
Academic achievement data revealed that Weymouth elementary schools are consistently outperforming state averages on MCAS assessments. Pingree Elementary achieved particularly notable results, with zero fifth-grade students falling into the “not meeting expectations” category in English Language Arts, and the school exceeded state averages by ten or more percentage points in all three tested subjects for fifth grade.
Ralph Talbot Elementary reported 69 percent of third-grade students scoring at meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA, compared to the state average of 43 percent—a 26 percentage point favorable difference. The school also showed strong mathematics performance, with 65 percent of fourth graders meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 43 percent statewide.
Nash Elementary demonstrated exceptional mathematics instruction, with scores above state averages across grades three through five. Principal McDevitt, in her second year at Nash, acknowledged that ELA scores remain below state averages and outlined specific interventions, including the creation of an expanded literacy resource center and implementation of Universal Design for Learning principles.
All three principals emphasized addressing chronic absenteeism as a priority. McDevitt described innovative approaches at Nash, including having the school nurse make morning rounds to classrooms rather than opening the nurse’s office immediately, which has reduced students visiting with minor complaints. She also directed front office staff to encourage parents to send students to school when possible, even if they arrive late, rather than automatically accepting absence notifications.
Attendance data from Pingree showed significant improvement, with the average number of absences per student dropping from 12.5 to 6.2 over three years, and students with ten or more absences declining from nearly 60 percent to approximately 20 percent. However, chronically absent students—those missing 18 or more days—increased, representing a continued area of concern.
The meeting also included a presentation from Weymouth High School Student Council representatives, who reported that the organization has grown from six members last year to more than 20 this year. Vice President Josephine Campo explained that the group has rebranded from Student Senate to Student Council to align with other Massachusetts schools and is focusing on community impact, outreach, and longevity.
Student representatives discussed the high school’s cell phone policy, which requires students to place phones in classroom holders during instructional time while allowing access during lunch, study periods, and passing time. Freshman representative Mia Kiley noted that the policy represents an improvement from the middle school’s stricter approach, providing students with more autonomy while still limiting distractions.
Committee Chair Tracey Nardone acknowledged the difficulty of the phone restrictions for upperclassmen but emphasized the importance of building face-to-face relationships and meaningful conversations. She explained that the policy aims to help students develop interpersonal communication skills and strengthen connections with teachers and peers.
Student representatives also highlighted significant achievements in the Career and Technical Education program, including accomplishments in early childhood education, information technology, and graphic design. They reported on the marching band’s revitalization under new director Mr. Fuller, with increased practice schedules and community involvement. The Weymouth High Echoes choir has expanded to create a new group called “In Trouble” and has been invited to perform at the Massachusetts State House in December and at Carnegie Hall.
More than 25 students have joined Model United Nations this year, with 19 delegates preparing to attend the UConn Model UN Conference in early November. The robotics team is also experiencing rapid growth and competing for spots at the state competition. The theater company will perform “Mean Girls” from November 21-23.
Academic honors were also celebrated, with 92 students named AP Scholars, requiring an average score of three or higher on all AP exams. Forty-one students achieved AP Scholar with Honor, 47 earned AP Scholar with Distinction, and 24 students received the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma. Notably, Obey Okafor was selected as one of only two girls from Massachusetts to attend Girls’ Nation in Washington, D.C.
Superintendent Melanie Curtin welcomed Officer Williams as the new School Resource Officer for elementary schools, noting that he has already visited all buildings and begun establishing relationships with students and staff. She praised the collaborative relationship with the Weymouth Police Department and Sergeant Pompeo’s leadership.
The committee recognized Dana Scott in his final meeting as an appointed member. Scott was appointed to fill a vacancy and will complete his service as the seat goes to the highest vote-getter in the November 5 election. Committee members and administrators thanked Scott for his contributions to policy work and the health and safety committee during his tenure.
In public comment, Ben Crosby of Norma Avenue raised concerns from the Wessagusset Parent Council about students at that school coming home wet after traveling to and from modular classrooms during rainstorms. He reported that the Parent Council fielded approximately 15 independent parent complaints about the issue. Chair Nardone acknowledged that the district is working to address modular classroom concerns and continues to tour facilities weekly to identify and resolve problems.
Crosby also noted ongoing questions about insurance coverage for school events and requested clarification on when activities are or are not covered. He observed inconsistencies in school council composition across different schools regarding parity between parents and professional staff, suggesting the district review the requirements for consistency. Finally, he noted that nearly every elementary school presentation showed a multi-point decrease in student sense of belonging and encouraged continued focus on engaging families and caregivers as part of action plans.
Committee member Kathy Curran emphasized the importance of student attendance and reading proficiency, stating that students need to be “in the chairs” and staff “in front of the classroom” for learning to occur. She also requested that the district ensure adequate support for the robotics team should they qualify for nationals, referencing past funding challenges.
All three elementary principals highlighted increased family engagement through digital communication tools. Pingree’s weekly newsletter reaches an average of 382 people weekly, with 98 percent of families reporting they feel informed and connected. Parent conference attendance reached 93 percent in spring 2025. Ralph Talbot’s newsletter averages 495 views per week, with 90 percent of teachers using digital platforms like ClassDojo, Seesaw, Talking Points, or Remind for instant updates to families.
The principals outlined various approaches to strengthening student belonging, including implementing daily social-emotional learning blocks using the Second Step curriculum and Panorama Playbook resources, conducting PBIS assemblies with monthly themes, creating peer mentoring programs between older and younger students, and organizing reverse inclusion opportunities where general education students visit specialized classrooms.
Why It Matters
The elimination of MCAS as a graduation requirement represents a fundamental shift in how Massachusetts students demonstrate readiness for graduation. While Weymouth’s local graduation standards remain more demanding than the state minimum, the new competency determination policy ensures the district complies with state law while maintaining flexibility for unique student circumstances. The concurrent approval of the residency verification policy helps ensure enrollment integrity and proper allocation of resources. The focus on student belonging across all elementary schools reflects growing recognition that academic achievement is inextricably linked to students’ social and emotional well-being, with implications for attendance, engagement, and long-term success.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Accept confirmation of warrants 14-2026 ($1,429,076.97) and 16-2026 ($1,147,060.61), approve minutes from October 9, 2025 meeting, and approve overnight field trips for WHS Model UN to UConn (November 7-9, 2025) and Chapman 8th grade to Montreal (April 14-16, 2026). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:01:49)
Motion: Accept the Weymouth High School Program of Studies and Competency Determination Update as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:32:53)
Motion: Combine second and third reading for Policy JF School Admissions (residency verification). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:34:07)
Motion: Accept Policy JF School Admissions. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:34:23)
Motion: Adjourn. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 01:36:13)
Public Comment
Ben Crosby addressed concerns about students at Wessagusset Elementary getting wet traveling to modular classrooms during rain, inconsistencies in school council parent-teacher parity across schools, questions about insurance coverage for school events, and the decline in student sense of belonging across multiple elementary schools. He encouraged continued focus on engaging families as part of belonging initiatives.
What’s Next
Budget subcommittee meets November 12 at 6 p.m. at Adams Middle School. Athletic subcommittee meets November 13 at 7 p.m. at Adams Middle School. The next full school committee meeting is scheduled for November 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. November 4 is a professional development day with no school for students. The Trunk or Treat event will be held Saturday, October 26, from 3-7 p.m. in the school parking lot. Election Day is November 5, which will determine the permanent holder of the seat currently occupied by appointed member Dana Scott.