Manchester Essex Regional School District Honored for Outstanding Achievement by College Board

Superintendent Pam Beaudoin proudly shares that Manchester Essex Regional High School has been honored by the College Board for outstanding achievement on and commitment to Advanced Placement testing.

The College Board awarded MERHS bronze recognition in its 2023 AP School Honor Roll. Schools are honored for increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness, ensuring consistent student outcomes.

Placement on the Honor Roll requires a school to meet three criteria:

• 40 percent or more of the graduating cohort took at least 1 AP Exam during high school.

• 25 percent or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school.

• 2 percent or more of the graduating cohort took 5 or more AP Exams during high school with at least one of those tests taken in Grades 9 or 10.

MERHS students completed 355 AP exams in 2023, with scores of 3+ achieved in 86 percent of the tests taken. Seventy-nine results were the top score of 5.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our educators,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Heather Leonard said. “This recognition is a celebration of the entire educational pathway our students experience in Grades K-12. Congratulations to our diligent students and committed educators!”

MERHS also was honored with the AP Access Award, which reflects the District’s clear commitment to low-income students and underrepresented minorities.

“To receive a bronze award for scores alongside an access award means that opening access to all learners has not compromised the caliber of instruction,” Principal Julie Sgroi said. “Rather, we have made the high expectations established in an AP class accessible for all learners. I am very proud of our teachers for continuing to challenge our students to achieve success.”

Last year only 26 Massachusetts high schools received an AP Access Award.

“We are in the business of educating and preparing our students for their post-secondary life, which often includes attending a four-year college right after high school,” School Counseling Director Beverly Low said. “Our AP teachers are talented, delivering college-level content at a college-level pace. Students pursuing one or more AP courses choose to challenge themselves academically, a characteristic that will serve them well throughout their lives.”

MERMS Partners with ADL’s A World of Difference Institute to Provide Anti-Bias and Anti-Bullying Training to Students

 

Students training to become Peer Training Advisors, who will run anti-bullying workshops for all middle school students. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District)

Superintendent Pam Beaudoin and Principal Joanne Maino are pleased to share that MERMS is partnering with the Anti-Defamation League’s A World of Difference Institute to provide anti-bias and anti-bullying training to students. 

36 MERMS students – 24 in Grade 7 and 12 in Grade 8 – will participate in four days of training facilitated by the ADL to become Peer Training Advisors. After completing the 18 total hours of training, these students will run anti-bias and anti-bullying workshops for all middle school students, beginning their work in 2024. 

Through the ADL’s A World of Difference Institute Peer Training Program, Peer Trainers learn to understand and challenge bias and bullying; practice anti-bias facilitation skills; and take on a leadership role in their schools, positively influencing school culture by challenging bias and modeling respect, allyship, and civility. 

Student Advisors are Health Teacher Janda Ricci-Munn, Band and Music Teacher Joe Janack, and Principal Maino.

MERMS will collaborate with MERHS ADL student members on training and vertical alignment.

The MERMS Peer Trainers will also train students from around the state at the annual ADL Youth Congress in Boston in 2024.

This partnership with the ADL closely aligns to MERSD’s District Improvement Plan Initiatives to establish and foster an authentic K-12 learning environment, integrate social emotional learning, and celebrate and nurture an inclusive and diverse school culture that recognizes the contributions and uniqueness of all individuals.

“We are extremely proud of our students who are putting in the hard work to become Peer Leaders and Trainers. Through this work, they will help all middle school students learn about conscious and unconscious bias, understand ways they can prevent bullying in our schools, and sharpen our strong focus on tolerance, kindness, and compassion.” said Principal Maino. “It is important work that will help in fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school community, which MERSD strives to provide every day.”

Manchester Essex Regional School District Honored for Outstanding Achievement by College Board

Superintendent Pam Beaudoin proudly shares that Manchester Essex Regional High School has been honored by the College Board for outstanding achievement on and commitment to Advanced Placement testing.

The College Board awarded MERHS bronze recognition in its 2023 AP School Honor Roll. Schools are honored for increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness, ensuring consistent student outcomes.

Placement on the Honor Roll requires a school to meet three criteria:

• 40 percent or more of the graduating cohort took at least 1 AP Exam during high school.

• 25 percent or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school.

• 2 percent or more of the graduating cohort took 5 or more AP Exams during high school with at least one of those tests taken in Grades 9 or 10.

MERHS students completed 355 AP exams in 2023, with scores of 3+ achieved in 86 percent of the tests taken. Seventy-nine results were the top score of 5.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our educators,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Heather Leonard said. “This recognition is a celebration of the entire educational pathway our students experience in Grades K-12. Congratulations to our diligent students and committed educators!”

MERHS also was honored with the AP Access Award, which reflects the District’s clear commitment to low-income students and underrepresented minorities.

“To receive a bronze award for scores alongside an access award means that opening access to all learners has not compromised the caliber of instruction,” Principal Julie Sgroi said. “Rather, we have made the high expectations established in an AP class accessible for all learners. I am very proud of our teachers for continuing to challenge our students to achieve success.”

Last year only 26 Massachusetts high schools received an AP Access Award.

“We are in the business of educating and preparing our students for their post-secondary life, which often includes attending a four-year college right after high school,” School Counseling Director Beverly Low said. “Our AP teachers are talented, delivering college-level content at a college-level pace. Students pursuing one or more AP courses choose to challenge themselves academically, a characteristic that will serve them well throughout their lives.”

District Newsletter November '23

The Independent

Check out the October Issue of The Independent HERE!

District Newsletter October '23

Turf Field Replacement Project Update 10.5.23

Construction of the Coach Ed Field turf at Brook Street was completed today, Thursday, October 5th. Following completion of the work, the field was tested for GMAX (impact absorption) and passed. The first game will be played today by the JV Girls Soccer team. We are very excited about completion of the two turf field projects. Thank you to the Manchester and Essex communities for your support and patience as we have undergone this much needed transformation of our athletic facilities!