Click here to download our 2020-2021 School Profile as a pdf
Academic impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Spring 2020
Westborough High School ended in-person instruction for the 19-20 school year on March 13 and immediately transitioned to a system of remote learning until June 17. Our system was designed to provide high quality instruction and learning while also accounting for the safety and wellbeing of students. We were well equipped for this transition due to our district’s previous successful experience with remote teaching and learning through state-approved Alternative Learning Days designed to replace snow days.
Almost immediately, we developed and implemented an academic platform that incorporated synchronous learning experiences for all classes, rigorous independent learning, and social-emotional support. Students were expected to attend live virtual classes four days a week while attending to independent learning and teacher office hours each Friday. Our system was also created with flexibility for students to reach successful learning outcomes, whether they or their family had limited access to necessary technology or suffered from physical or mental health complications.
WHS students cumulatively passed 96.3% of all courses during the remote learning period. Final grades for 19-20 that appear on transcripts are based on the in-person portion of the school year. For the remote learning period, students could earn a Pass (P) or No Pass (NP) for individual courses. Students who earned at least an 80% for their remote learning between April 27 and the end of the year may have additionally been eligible to receive a High Pass (HP) for individual courses. Because access to and capacity for success in remote learning was variable for all students, P’s, HP’s and NP’s were not factored into final grades, nor do they appear on official transcripts. Students may choose to submit an Optional HP Report with their counselor
recommendation. This lists the courses in which they earned an HP. Please keep in mind that an HP grade only implies that the student had both the access and capacity for remote learning, and then successfully performed at a high level for a specific period of time. It should not be inferred that students performed poorly during remote learning if they do not submit the HP report.
Almost immediately, we developed and implemented an academic platform that incorporated synchronous learning experiences for all classes, rigorous independent learning, and social-emotional support. Students were expected to attend live virtual classes four days a week while attending to independent learning and teacher office hours each Friday. Our system was also created with flexibility for students to reach successful learning outcomes, whether they or their family had limited access to necessary technology or suffered from physical or mental health complications.
WHS students cumulatively passed 96.3% of all courses during the remote learning period. Final grades for 19-20 that appear on transcripts are based on the in-person portion of the school year. For the remote learning period, students could earn a Pass (P) or No Pass (NP) for individual courses. Students who earned at least an 80% for their remote learning between April 27 and the end of the year may have additionally been eligible to receive a High Pass (HP) for individual courses. Because access to and capacity for success in remote learning was variable for all students, P’s, HP’s and NP’s were not factored into final grades, nor do they appear on official transcripts. Students may choose to submit an Optional HP Report with their counselor
recommendation. This lists the courses in which they earned an HP. Please keep in mind that an HP grade only implies that the student had both the access and capacity for remote learning, and then successfully performed at a high level for a specific period of time. It should not be inferred that students performed poorly during remote learning if they do not submit the HP report.