TEN REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD EDUCATE YOUR STUDENTS IN THE

ATHOL-ROYALSTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (ARRSD)

1. ARRSD has been awarded a prestigious AP Grant Program by the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative that will:

o Double the number of students who take Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Athol High School

o Provide improved AP instruction to increase the number of students who successfully pass the AP Examinations (grade score of 3 or more, on a scale 1-5)

o Provide improved curriculum and instruction to all students from Grades 6-10 in Math, Science and English which will increase the number of students eligible for AP Courses

o Provide almost $300,000 over three years to train teachers to improve student performance not only in AP Courses, but all courses.

2. ARRSD has significantly improved its Academic Quality:

o MCAS scores have risen continually over the last 5 years

o Athol High School is fully accredited without blemish by the NEASC

o Athol High’s MCAS scores are now in the top third of MA high schools

o Students’ MCAS scores in the Elementary and Middle Schools continue to improve

o Over 99% of ARRSD’s teachers are designated Highly Qualfied by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (State average is 97%)

o With Federal stimulus money, ARRSD is spending $300,000 in professional development and training of its teaching and support staff.

o ARRSD teachers have been working on curriculum improvement with particular emphasis on the rewrites of our curriculum in Math, Science, English-Language Arts, and Social Studies.

3. ARRSD has spent over $1 million in the last three years to improve the technology of the schools at all grade levels, and in the technological instruction of its students

4. ARRSD has a wide range of sports and extracurricular activities:

o Grade 6-12, interscholastic sports (including hockey) with the lowest family user fees in the North Quabbin Area

o A strong K-12 fine arts program

o Instrumental and vocal programs, as well a performing arts club at the High School

o A marching band program with new uniforms and an exciting summer music camp

5. ARRSD continues to improve the climate of our Schools:

o The District has been clear in defining and identifying unacceptable student behavior, especially with respect to bullying.

o The District has moved strongly to motivate students who exhibit positive behaviors and to remove students who cannot be motivated.

6. ARRSD has been recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the strength of its leadership team, and has trained all of its administrators (through a scholarship grant from DESE) in the highly-regarded National Institute of School Leaders.

7. ARRSD is considered to be among the most stable financial school districts in the State by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

8. ARRSD has spent almost $1 million in the last three years to repair and renovate its schools, especially the High School.

9. ARRSD is hopefully (with the help of the voters in Athol), on the brink of solving its building problems at the Riverbend and Sanders Street Elementary Schools.

10. Our students have a better chance of performing to their full potential in ARRSD schools.

o Over the years the number of Athol and Royalston students who attend schools outside of ARRSD has decreased.

o Over the years the number of students from other school districts who have “choiced” into our District has increased.

o We continue to have active and supportive PTA’s and Schools Site Councils at all of our schools!

Take another look at the Athol-Royalston Schools. Give us the privilege of serving you and your children In what will likely be a very exciting future!

Questions? Call at 978-249-2400.