DISTRICT PROFILE
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Ipswich, incorporated in 1634, is a town located about 30 miles to the north of Boston. It is a coastal community on the inland edge of Cape Ann with a diverse population that has remained stable at currently just over 12,000. The town covers an area of 32 sq. miles and is laid out like the spokes of a wheel with a downtown area in the center and the remaining population spread along 6 main roads leading out of town. Over 20% of the town area is marsh and Crane's Beach, along the ocean, provides the community with one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast. Ipswich has an Open Town Meeting form of a government with an appointed Town Manager. The Central Office includes a Superintendent, Director of Finance and Operations, and a Director of Pupil Personnel Services. The curriculum is managed by Subject Area Committees chaired by teachers. Classroom teachers play an integral role in curriculum, instruction and development by serving on curriculum teams.
Ipswich has four schools; two elementary, one middle and one high school. The goal of the schools is to equip students to compete for jobs in the 21st century while developing in each an appreciation for life and a motivation to reach a level of excellence in each task undertaken. The school system staff works to cultivate the intellectual, social, and physical growth of all students as well as to instill life-long habits of inquiry and thinking so that each may constructively participate in our ever-changing world.
Ipswich Schools offer advanced placement courses at the high school and enrichment programs for academically gifted students at the elementary and middle schools. Ipswich students at all levels have been among the most recognized in the state in music, art, and drama competitions. At the same time, 88% of Ipswich high school graduates have been going on to further education and the schools to which they have been accepted are among the finest in the country. The high school sports program includes football, basketball, track, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, softball, baseball, tennis, swimming and golf with several sports also competed interscholastically at the middle school level. Over the past years several years several teams were champions in their division.
The emphasis on achievement in the schools is evident in a math program that is built upon problem solving rather than rote memorization and with algebraic concepts introduced in the elementary grades. The middle school math team has championed its competition consistently for several years. Throughout the school system, from kindergarten through 12th grade, a new concept is being implemented called the Ipswich 21st century classroom which concentrates technology in the classroom combined with an instructional method focusing on project based problem solving and teachers working with students in small groups. The increased emphasis on problem solving, rather than just fact based memorization, and innovations in the use of technology has brought well over 100 public and private school systems, colleges, and businesses to the Ipswich School System over the past two years.
With parent and community support, the Ipswich Schools are working to afford students the opportunity to pursue their individual aspirations by providing them with the knowledge, skills and motivation to successfully compete for jobs in the 21st century and, at the same time, assuring students retain an appreciation for the environment with which they are entrusted.
