• NORWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS FACT SHEET

    2024 - 2025

    The information below has been prepared to give you an overview of Norwell and its schools. To learn more, please visit us at our website: www.norwellschools.org. Also, we welcome you to visit our schools, meet with our talented faculty and staff, and observe our outstanding students in action. See for yourself how Norwell Public Schools’ core values of Children First, Cultivation of Learning, Community Focus, and Continuous Improvement are guiding us in the creation of 21st Century Schools for 21st Century Students.

    Norwell, Massachusetts

    Ideally situated 25 miles southeast of downtown Boston, Norwell is a semi-rural, suburban community of approximately 11,000 residents. The farms and factories of a century ago have given way to private country homes, modern schools, shopping centers, health, recreation and cultural facilities, a wildlife reservation, a natural science center, and a thriving industrial zone. With the scenic North River forming the town's southern boundary, Norwell is an ideal recreational site for boating, fishing, and swimming. Ocean beaches and picturesque New England harbors are only a few miles away.

    Norwell is proud and supportive of its school system, which reflects the intellectual strength and character of the community. The two pre-K-5 elementary schools, the grade 6-8 middle school, and high school are all committed to academic excellence in a caring environment for Norwell's 2,191 students. In May of 2012, a $2.3 million operational override allowed Norwell Public Schools to improve student to teacher ratios, begin a comprehensive curriculum adoption cycle and a technology cycle for overall infrastructure needs and a 1:1 iPad initiative for students in grades 3-12. The Clipper Community Complex, featuring a stadium turf field and all purpose athletic turf field, was completed in the summer of 2014 thanks to the support of many Norwell committees, community members, and donors. Each school has an active school council and parents are very involved with the education of their children. 93% of Norwell High School graduates continue their education at two and four year colleges.

    Mission Statement
    Developed by a twenty-two member Strategic Planning Team in June 2016, our Mission Statement is as follows:


    The mission of Norwell Public Schools, in partnership with the community, is to provide excellence
     in education through a challenging and supportive environment, empowering students to be versatile,
    innovative, and responsible citizens who are prepared to navigate and contribute to a dynamic global society.

    Grace Farrar Cole School: Eliza Burns, Principal (781) 659-8823; eliza.burns@norwellschools.org Heather Benner, Assistant Principal (781) 659-8823; heather.benner@norwellschools.org
    http://www.norwellschools.org/cole

    William Gould Vinal School: Nathan Thorsteinson, Principal (781) 659-8820; nathan.thorsteinson@norwellschools.org Catherine Egan, Assistant Principal (781) 659-8820; catherine.egan@norwellschools.org
    http://www.norwellschools.org/vinal

    Serving students in preschool through grade five, the Cole and Vinal schools have enrollments of 527 students at the Cole and 556 students at the Vinal. Students are taught in heterogeneously grouped classes, and an interdisciplinary approach to learning is encouraged and supported by a district curriculum aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum State Frameworks. Utilizing a combination of whole group and small group instruction, our English Language Arts program serves as the foundation for reading and writing instruction. In mathematics, students work with a wide variety of models and procedures to successfully solve problems in multiple ways. In addition, with the support of the Norwell Tiered System of Supports at the K-5 level, student progress is consistently monitored in both English language arts and mathematics as well as in social-emotional development. The skills and content taught through our science program incorporate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts, and the social studies program is supported by an extensive collection of reference materials and resources. There are also weekly classes in art, music, physical education, and library/media, as well as small group and ensemble instrumental music instruction available in grade five. Various services are available for students found eligible for special education and for English language learners. Both schools enjoy highly supportive parent groups, and all faculty and staff are committed to providing a challenging, safe, and supportive environment for each and every student.

    Norwell Middle School: James Dupille, Principal (781) 659-8814; james.dupille@norwellschools.org Ellen Murray, Assistant Principal (781) 659-8815; ellen.murray@norwellschools.org
    http://www.norwellschools.org/nms

    Norwell Middle School services 508 students in grades six, seven, and eight. In sixth, seventh and eighth grade, students are assigned to teams of four teachers. English, mathematics, science, and social studies are the core subjects offered on each team. In all classes, critical thinking, cooperative learning, and individual responsibility are emphasized. French, Latin, and Spanish make up our world language offerings. Sixth grade students are offered introductory world language courses that expose them to all three languages. Seventh and eighth grade students are assigned to a two-year formal program in one of the languages. During students’ three years at the middle school, the following exploratory courses are offered: art, band, chorus, computational thinking, engineering design, project based statistics, project based geometry, foods and nutrition, family and life skills, consumer science, social health, health education, Introduction to iPad, off the shelf, music, and physical education. By utilizing a wide variety of middle school practices, our educational community makes a concerted effort to maintain a delivery system that is student-centered and focused on the unique needs of young adolescents. The Norwell Tiered System of Supports at the middle school level continues to monitor student progress in both English language arts and mathematics as well as in social/emotional development. In addition, as a part of a district 1:1 technology program, all middle school students receive an iPad to support their academic learning and development as digital citizens.

    Norwell High School: Marc Bender, Principal (781) 659-8810; marc.bender@norwellschools.org Jennifer Greenberg, Assistant Principal (781) 659-8808; jennifer.greenberg@norwellschools.org Matthew Marani, Assistant Principal (781) 659-8808; matthew.marani@norwellschools.org  JJ Niamkey, Athletic Director (781) 659-8808; jjniamkey@norwellschools.org
    http://www.norwellschools.org/nhs

    Providing a college preparatory curriculum for all students, Norwell High School is an academically rigorous secondary school accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The high school’s 600 students take at least five major subjects and are required to carry a minimum of six courses per semester. Graduation requirements include the successful completion of four years of English, mathematics, science, and social studies, as well as courses in the unified arts and computer science, and a minimum of three years of world language. Twenty Advanced Placement courses are offered in art, biology, calculus, chemistry, English language, English literature, computer science, environmental science, European history, French, Latin, physics, psychology, Spanish, statistics, U.S. government, and U.S. history. In addition to the Advanced Placement program, Norwell High School partners with Syracuse University’s Project Advance to offer college-level coursework in Latin, Spanish, and French. As a part of a district 1:1 technology initiative, all students are issued an iPad to support their academic learning and development as digital citizens. Over 90% of Norwell High School students participate in co-curricular programs (athletics, drama, music, publications and clubs). Norwell High School students consistently score above the state and national averages on the SAT and other standardized tests, and 93% of the Class of 2024 are pursuing post secondary education, with 92% of the class going on to four year colleges. Norwell students are also eligible to attend South Shore Vocational Technical High School in Hanover, which offers a wide variety of career-oriented programs.

    Additional Information

    For a personalized tour of any one of our schools, please call the above principals. For information on special education, English language learners, homelessness or civil rights please call Director of Student Services Suzan Theodorou at (781) 659-8800, ext. 1026; e-mail: suzan.theodorou@norwellschools.org. Information on our facilities, finances, transportation, and general operations may be obtained from the Director of Finance, Operations & Technology Warren MacCallum at (781) 659-8800; e-mail: warren.maccallum@norwellschools.org. For information on curriculum, instruction, instructional technology or support programs, please call Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology Diane Provenzano at (781) 659-8800, ext. 1026; e-mail: diane.provenzano@norwellschools.org. Also, please feel free to contact me directly at the address below if I can be of any assistance. Thank you for your interest in Norwell Public Schools.

    Matthew A. Keegan Superintendent of Schools Norwell Public Schools

    322 Main Street, Norwell, MA 02061
    phone: 781-659-8800, ext. 1015
    fax: 781-659-8805
    e-mail: matthew.keegan@norwellschools.org

    Norwell Public Schools’ Home Page: www.norwellschools.org

    Norwell Public Schools does not exclude from participation, deny the benefits of NPS from or otherwise discriminate against, individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, active military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, or pregnancy-related condition, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic background, national condition, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic background, national origin, or any other category protected by state or federal law in the administration of its educational and employment policies, or in its programs and activities.

    NORWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 21st Century Schools for 21st Century Students