One of the most important responsibilities of the School Committee is to step back regularly and ask a simple question: Are we making meaningful progress for our students?

That progress reflects the combined effort of students, educators, and families across Weston. The role of the School Committee is to help set the direction, allocate the necessary resources, and ensure those strong outcomes are sustained over time.

Each year, the district publishes a detailed report to provide a transparent view of our performance. It’s a comprehensive, 30-page document; you can find last year’s version here.  Here’s a short summary of what stands out from the most recent data captured in the 2025 report.

Strong outcomes for students

The results highlighted reflect a collective commitment to academic excellence. These metrics are more than just numbers; they are the tangible evidence that Weston sets high expectations and provides the support necessary to meet them.

The Class of 2025 achieved a 100% graduation rate, with every student completing the rigorous MassCore curriculum. From that class, 97% of graduates continued to college, enrolling in 96 different institutions across the country and abroad.

Our academic performance remains equally strong across the board. On the MCAS, Weston students continue to substantially outperform state averages in all grade levels and subjects. At the high school level, our students aren’t just achieving; they’re engaging deeply in challenging coursework that prepares them for the future:

• 96% of juniors and seniors took honors, AP, or dual enrollment courses

• 93% of AP exam scores were 3 or higher, which is our strongest result in more than a decade

When our students succeed at this level, it confirms that academic excellence is the standard in Weston, and it’s a standard I’m committed to maintaining.

A strong foundation in the classroom

Behind these outcomes are deliberate decisions about how we structure learning. The committee has focused on keeping core classes at an average of about 20 students to enhance our educators’ ability to deliver individualized instruction. Across the district, 93% of our educators hold advanced degrees, which brings deep expertise into every classroom.

At the elementary level, we’ve worked hard to keep class sizes within our established targets. These aren't always the most visible decisions the Committee makes, but they’re among the most important for enabling strong relationships between teachers and students and supporting student success.

A broad and engaging student experience

Student success in Weston extends well beyond the classroom. We know that a sense of belonging is a huge driver of academic achievement.

• Athletics: Nearly half of our students participate in sports, with strong performance at both the league and state levels.

• The arts: Weston has been named a Top Community for Music Education for 16 consecutive years.

• Engagement and leadership development: Students have access to more than 90 clubs and organizations, creating numerous diverse opportunities for connection and exploration.

Addressing a changing student population

The report also highlights how our district is evolving. Weston’s student population continues to become more diverse. Today, more than 13% of our students speak a language other than English at home.

At the same time, student needs are becoming more complex. While fewer students report challenges overall, those who do may require more targeted and intensive support. This shift makes it especially important that we continue to invest in academic support, inclusive practices, and overall student well-being.

Keeping progress in perspective

It’s important to view these results thoughtfully. Measures like the MCAS provide useful information, but they’re only one piece of a much larger puzzle. We also look at student growth, classroom performance, access to advanced coursework, and postsecondary outcomes.

Taken together, these indicators point to a district that’s performing at a high level while continuing to evolve.

Where we need to focus

At the same time, the data points to clear areas where continued focus is needed. At the high school level, MCAS results declined modestly this year, reflecting both broader statewide trends and the need to strengthen outcomes for all students. And while we have made progress in narrowing gaps, there remain meaningful differences in outcomes for some student groups, including students with disabilities.

These aren’t abstract findings; they directly inform our priorities. Strengthening core instruction, expanding targeted supports, and ensuring consistency across grade levels are essential to sustaining excellence across the entire district.

Progress and continued responsibility

The 2025 report reflects strong outcomes and sustained effort. The role of the School Committee is not to take credit for these results, but to ensure the right conditions are in place to enable our students and educators to reach their fullest potential.

This “job” involves working with the Superintendent to set the right—and clear—priorities, aligning our resources with our goals, and asking the right questions to maintain and extend our district’s momentum.

I welcome your thoughts as we continue this work together.