Academics Overview

For detailed information about our K–8 curriculum, please see our grade-level guides on the Curriculum webpage.

The Somerville Public Schools offer curriculum, instruction, and assessment services that are aligned with both the Massachusetts Education Reform Act and current research in education. In order to provide our students with a comprehensive education, SPS offers the following services in curriculum, instruction, and assessment across grades PK-12.

  • A wide variety of subjects and course offerings, including music and art in all grades
  • Updated textbooks, and other instructional and multimedia materials, to support subjects and course offerings
  • The availability of current technology to supplement subjects and course offerings, including 1:1 chromebooks for all students in grades 3 and up
  • Significant emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving across all subjects
  • Emphasis on learning environments that encourage collaboration and interdisciplinary projects
  • Emphasis on interdisciplinary projects that encourage research and a variety of assessments
  • Opportunities for students to be engaged in the arts through interdisciplinary projects
  • After-school programs that provide enrichment activities aligned with school system objectives
  • Regular assessment to monitor student mastery and drive instructional and curricular decision making
  • A year-round schedule of professional development for our teachers to enhance skills
  • A Somerville Public Library partnership aligned with our year-round reading program

Classroom instruction is closely aligned with efforts in the Special Education Department, Multilingual Learners Education Department, Somerville Community Schools, and Somerville High School Counseling Department to ensure students have the individual attention and the time they need to maximize their potential.
 

Staff

Dr. Jessica Boston Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Academics
TBD, Director of Early Education and Care Department
Caeli Gallitano, Director of Equity and Excellence
Chris Glynn, Director of Educator Development
Samantha Eligene, Director of Data, Assessment, and Accountability
Uri Harel, Federal Grants and MCAS Administrator
Jason Behrens, Innovation Specialist
Paula O'Sullivan, Coordinator of K-8 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Kathleen Seward, Coordinator of K-8 Humanities Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

 

Resources

 

Research Requests

Somerville Public Schools is developing a new protocol to review research request. Research requests must be submitted during our fall submission window. Please review the timeline below: 

  • Request Submission Window: October 1–October 31. A new online submission form will be available at the end of September. Please do not email the old form.
  • Request Review:  November 1–November 30.
  • Notification: Mid-December.

There will be one additional window to submit research questions in the summer. That information will be updated by January 2026. Please reach out to Gisele Silveira, Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of Academics, with any questions at gsilveira@k12.somerville.ma.us.