Superintendent proposes doubling School Choice enrollment

Mar 7, 2017

Not even a year after school officials instituted the School Choice program, allowing students from surrounding communities to attend public schools in Dartmouth, Superintendent Bonny Gifford is looking to double the number of incoming students.

At the March 6 School Committee meeting, Gifford said the program currently enrolls 30 students — 25 freshmen and five sophomores. Gifford said those students are excelling academically and participate in extracurricular activities.

“[Students] have really become a part of Dartmouth schools 100 percent,” Gifford said. “It’s been a great success, and there have been no issues.”

Dartmouth’s School Choice program, which began in September, has generated $150,000 in revenue for the district this year. Students’ home districts pay $5,000 per student per year.

Currently, the town only accepts freshmen and sophomore students at the high school, but students move up through the Dartmouth system until graduation. Next year, Gifford aims to open an additional 30 to 40 slots for incoming freshmen and sophomores, which would double the number of School Choice students attending Dartmouth High School.

Gifford said there are currently no plans to expand the program to other grade levels. She said Dartmouth High can support School Choice students, and there is adequate space and staffing for it.

The School Committee did not vote on the proposal. Gifford will formally introduce it, along with a final number of new openings, at the School Committee meeting on March 27. After a public hearing, the committee will decide whether or not to go forward with it.