Jeffrey Mulqueen
Superintendent of Schools
22 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Contact: Jeff Mulqueen, Superintendent
978-363-2280
jmulqueen@prsd.org
Pentucket Regional School District Achieves Innovation School Leadership Position
WEST NEWBURY, Mass. — The Pentucket Regional School Committee approved the implementation of three new Innovation Schools at its May 19 business meeting: the Pentucket Conservatory of Music, Secondary STEM Academy, and Academy of Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship. With a total of 10 Innovation Schools underway, the Pentucket Regional School District has earned a leadership position in Massachusetts, with more Innovation Schools than any other school district.
Innovation Schools are one of the District’s key strategies for building its capacity for all students to achieve at high levels. As the statewide innovation school leader, Pentucket offers a university-style course of studies with customized, high-powered learning experiences for students. Pentucket’s advanced curriculum is powered by the integration of academic knowledge, adaptive leadership, and high levels of personal meaning. At the secondary level, scheduling flexibility supports the acceleration of learning with early high school, early college, and early career experiences.
Education in Pentucket begins with the student in mind. Students in Pentucket experience access to accelerated academic opportunities. They enact leadership resulting in changes that significantly impact students’ local and global world as creative agents. Conventional school districts primarily focus on state assessments, such as MCAS / PARCC. Pentucket’s expectations for students are more than a score. Ambitious goals are established in Pentucket’s Continuum of Performance Goals for grades PK through early college.
The Pentucket Portfolio of innovation schools honors student voice and choice. Student interest prompted the establishment of Pentucket’s emerging course of studies that provides students with options for learning that extend beyond that obtainable in a conventional school district. Pentucket offers an advanced PK – 6 curriculum, specializing in Design & Engineering and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. Early high school credit is available to middle school students. High school students have access to early college credit, internships, and apprenticeships as supported by an extended day/year schedule.
The Pentucket Regional School District was featured in the Boston Globe on March 22 for its success with Innovation Schools. For more information about Pentucket’s Innovation Schools, visit prsd.org.
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