Promoting D-R to Prospective Students

An effort has been launched to encourage 8^th grade students to remain in-district.

Last March, Dighton-Rehoboth School Superintendent Bill Runey cited a dramatic decline in enrollment in the district, with a third of all eighth grade middle school students opting not to attend Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School.

Two retention coordinators are now employed by the district. Their responsibilities include promoting the high school’s Honors and AP classes, Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings, a nationally recognized Performing Arts program, and a full complement of athletics and activities.

The retention coordinators are being paid a stipend of $3694.  

Runey said there were presentations at Dighton Middle School and Beckwith Middle School featuring students from the high school. A survey of all the 8^th grade students was conducted following the visits.

“CTE programs received a high level of interest,” Runey told the school committee Tuesday. “Athletics, including football, soccer, basketball – those topics generated excitement among the participants. We have 64 clubs and activities and those were seen as very appealing to our students. Eighth grade students were excited to hear about the Advanced Placement and honors classes. We talked about how our World Language students take trips to Europe each year.”

D-R’s theater and music programs also received positive feedback, Runey noted.

On October 19, the high school hosted its second annual Green and Gold Night. Over 125 middle school families attended and heard from Runey and Principal Jacqueline Ash. Additionally, attendees experienced music and cheer performances, an athletic and activities fair, CTE shop demonstrations, and spoke with the teaching staff.

 In November, students and staff from the programs in the CTE department will visit each middle school to demonstrate the “exciting experience that is CTE at D-R,” Runey added.