The New Jersey Department of Education designated the Somerville School District a Lighthouse District on Wednesday. Using data to assess growth over the past four years, the designation serves to recognize schools that have seen tremendous improvement in academic performance and have pioneered new best practices to address the increasing diversity of student bodies.
“We are exceptionally proud of the work our teachers, administrators, students and families have been doing to earn the Somerville school district this distinction,” said Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon). “The needs of our school communities are ever-evolving and a system with the flexibility and sensitivity to adjust to changes is fundamental for the future success of our children. We hope, by sharing its initiatives, Somerville can pave the way for similar successes in other districts.”
“A good education is central in empowering students across demographic groups and in helping us attain educational equality,” said Assemblyman Zwicker (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon). “The growth benchmarks set by Lighthouse Districts like Somerville, whose strategies can help create more comprehensive teaching practices across the state, are critical for continued social and economic prosperity. This is a hard-earned honor, thank you to Somerville teachers and administrators for championing the needs of its students.”
Somerville is one among nine school districts and two charter schools to be named a Lighthouse District by New Jersey’s Department of Education this year.