HPS focuses on two strategic priorities for 2025-26 school year
Holyoke Public Schools’ has established two priority focus areas for the 2025-26 school year that draw upon the district’s vision and goals previously established in the HPS strategic plan. These include:
High-quality lessons using inclusive practices
Belonging and well being
“These focus areas are connected,” explained Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto. “Both are about creating an environment so that every student can be seen, be known, and do their best in school.”
These focus areas reinforce two of the district’s core beliefs, he said, which include:
Every child can and will learn.
School is a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging.
High-quality lessons using inclusive practices: HPS will continue its efforts to prepare for and deliver high-quality lessons across all tiers so ALL students are supported to develop grade-level skills and knowledge. The big push for this upcoming year is planning for and implementing learner variability. Students bring unique strengths to the classroom, students have different unmet learning needs, and students learn in different ways. “As educators, it is our job to adjust and tailor our instruction to meet the needs of your student,” Mr. Soto explained.
Belonging and Well-being: HPS will continue to strengthen a sense of belonging and well-being for all of our students and staff members. Students who feel connected, supported, and valued are more likely to feel excited to be at school, be engaged in their learning, and do better in school.
“You’ve heard and seen that our strategic plan has been an effective tool for charting our path towards school improvements,” Mr. Soto said. “When I walk in classrooms and when I review data, I continue to be energized by gains in students’ learning. I’m confident we will see more evidence of our success when state results are released later this fall. We are on the right path. Let’s keep up the good work.”
Holyoke Public Schools will publish its annual update to the strategic plan in September, after all year-end data is collected and analyzed.