The Mendon Upton Regional School district will see improved student teacher ratios this year. Last school year the district had a total of 2574 students. This year the district has 2472; or 102 fewer students than last year.
Superintendent Dr. Maruszczak explained the 4% reduction is for the most part due to two factors; a lower birth rate in 2006-2007 and the class of 2017 being considerably smaller than the senior class which graduated last May. The district saw 190 students graduate in May while 130 freshmen entered Nipmuc this fall; a 60 student swing.
Fewer students means a more favorable student teacher ratio. Both Clough and Memorial are looking at ratios in the low 20s, with grade K being 20 or lower. Miscoe Hill is getting a bit of relief with an average student teacher ratio of 22 to 1.
At the HS, where an additional elective teacher was hired and the block schedule was changed last year, the student teacher ratio is looking very good. ELA classes are at around 19, math 22, history 20 and science 21.
Dr. Maruszczak said at the districts school committee meeting on Sept 9,”This is a fairly dramatic improvement from where the district was 2-3 years ago.”
UPTON DAILY 