The NPS Compass

I am thrilled to introduce the NPS Compass, our new quarterly district newsletter! It is part of our broader focus on communication, with the goal of a streamlined, structured experience for families, staff, and the Nantucket community.

We are a couple of weeks into the new school year. Here on-island, that means summer traffic is beginning to thin out, the summer tourist season is over, and our schools are, once again, the busiest place in town. And what a fantastic start we have had this year!

We are excited about this school year and the growth we know we can achieve together. Our students made measurable progress in academics last year, and we are building on that momentum to drive continuous improvement across every classroom. I am deeply grateful for the unique strength of our island community. When challenges arise, Nantucket comes together to share resources and solve problems in ways that set us apart from other communities. The support from you is a major reason our students continue to grow and thrive.

Communication is our key to success. If you have questions about our district, any of our schools, or your child’s progress, please reach out. Attend a School Committee meeting, contact your child's teacher, or stop by a Superintendent Coffee (find details below). We value your partnership in the important work of educating the next generation of Nantucketers.

We look forward to a successful school year!

Elizabeth Hallett, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Nantucket Public Schools
#WeAreAllWhalers

Three times a year, our K-8 students take an assessment called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), which helps us see how they're growing in math and reading — and where they might need extra support. To learn more about MAP, visit the assessments page of our website.

MAP gives us two kinds of information: achievement, a snapshot of where a student stands right now, and growth, how much progress they've made since the last testing window. Our goal is for students to reach the 61st percentile in both, which is the bar for grade level. Achievement follows growth, so the growth numbers are often the first sign progress is coming.

Spring 2026 testing results indicate the following:

Math: Our students ended the year in the 59th percentile for achievement and the 68th percentile for growth, both up from the prior year (55th and 63rd). That encouraging progress is the payoff of four years of work on differentiation and extension through math workshop, and we're seeing it show up in real results.

Reading: Students landed in the 53rd percentile for achievement and 56th percentile for growth, holding steady with the year prior. Both numbers are above the national average, but we know we have more ground to cover. This year we've adopted new comprehensive literacy materials and will focus on professional learning in the Science of Reading. NES is implementing Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), NIS will continue work with Expeditionary Learning ("Dragonfly"), and CPS is focusing on professional development and a curriculum review.

Our students are growing and we are seeing real results from the hard work of our students and staff. We continue to focus on growth and progress, and implementing the tools needed for continued success

On August 31, Nantucket Public Schools staff welcomed a special guest to deliver a very engaging keynote address that inspired us all to consider the importance of how we communicate with each other.

Tim Shriver, an educator, best-selling author, Chairman of Special Olympics, and Chairman of UNITE, introduced the Dignity Index, a tool that helps us measure how we speak to one another, moving us away from contempt and toward mutual respect in our communication. The Dignity Index shows that even when we disagree, we can do so with dignity, curiosity, and kindness. By using this scale, we hope to build stronger relationships and a more supportive culture across all of our schools. If you are curious about the Dignity Index and what it means, visit the Dignity Index website.

Fall sports season is underway for the Nantucket Whalers! More than 350 middle and high school students are out on the field this season, playing football, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, cross-country and golf. That's nearly a third of the secondary student body getting physical exercise, engaging in teamwork, learning leadership skills, and showing up for each other.

The community is invited to join Nantucket High School’s Homecoming celebration on Saturday, October 31! Keep an eye on social media for more details. Students will receive information from NHS about Spirit Week festivities and the Homecoming pep rally.

Photos courtesy of the Nantucket Current.

Bike registration is now available for all students and is required for students riding bikes to school.

How to register bikes: Pick up a form at your school's main office, outside Room 100B at NHS, or by printing the online form. All bikes must be registered by returning completed and signed form to Assistant Superintendent Mellisa Devitt in Room 100B at NHS.

Important bike rules:

• Helmets are required at all times

• Max speed: 20 mph

• No double riding

• Walk bikes on sidewalks — no riding on campus

• Park only in designated bike areas

• E-bikes with a throttle aren't allowed on campus — this applies town-wide, not just at school

Note: Unregistered bikes or bikes parked outside the designated area will be locked. Parents will need to pick up the bike in person. The Town of Nantucket will issue tickets to students for double riding and/or riding without a helmet.

E-bike safety training was also provided to students in grades 6–12 at the start of the school year.

Nantucket Public Schools came together on Patriot Day to honor the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Nantucket students and staff wore red, white, and blue in a show of unity and patriotism, and as a way to honor the heroes, victims, and families affected on 9/11.

The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA) stepped up in a big way to deviate routes so Nantucket students would have an alternate route to and from school this fall. While the district continues to seek solutions to the transportation challenges we face on the island, community partners are working together to care for our students. Thank you to the NRTA!

Across the island, families are joining together to carpool or find other ways to get students to school safely. Everyone is paying closer attention and looking out for students riding bikes and walking to school, as the number of walkers and riders has increased due to limited bussing. We are grateful for the continued effort to ensure our Whalers arrive to and from school safely each day!

Mark your calendars for these important dates and visit the online district calendar for more:

• Wednesday, September 23 - Early Release for Professional Development (12 p.m.)

• Tuesday, September 29 - NES Open House, 5:30-7 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 30 - NHS Open House, 5:30-7 p.m.

• Tuesday, October 6 - School Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, October 7 - CPS Open House, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, October 8 - NIS Open House, 5-6:30 p.m.

• Monday, October 12 - No School, Indigenous Peoples’ Day

• Tuesday, October 20 - School Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, October 21 - Early Release for Professional Development (12 p.m.)

We’re focusing our social media content this year on telling the story of all the great things our Whalers are doing everyday! Be sure to follow along so you don’t miss a thing!