Hopkinton High School students attend a meeting for the mentoring program earlier this year. PHOTO/HOPKINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The new Hillers Mentoring Program kicked off in November, pairing Hopkinton High sophomores and juniors with Marathon Elementary School kindergarten and first-grade students.

Eric Mitchell, Marathon’s assistant principal, noted that administrators had been considering the initiative for a few years, sparked by the “palpable excitement” in the building when HHS seniors typically do a walkthrough of Marathon at the end of the year.

“To the younger kids, the older students are so cool and seen as positive role models,” said Laura Theis, assistant principal at the high school.

“To the little ones, the high school students are superstars in their eyes,” added Mitchell.

Mitchell explained that a total of 76 mentors signed onto the program, meaning two or three will visit each classroom once per month. High schoolers will use their “flex period” to participate and “embed” themselves in the elementary classrooms.

“For 30 to 40 minutes, they may go to recess and play and interact with the little ones. In classrooms, they can work in small groups — do art projects, play math games or read with the children,” Mitchell said, citing a few examples.

He anticipates the program will end by May, when high school students get busy with finals and year-end events.

A Hopkinton High School student works with Marathon School students. PHOTO/HOPKINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mitchell said he was surprised by the large number of HHS students interested in the opportunity. Initially, 30-35 mentors signed up, but after word-of-mouth conversations with peers, that number doubled.

The older kids can use the mentorship as part of the National Honor Society’s service hours, for example. Theis noted sophomores and juniors thinking about a career in teaching can use the experience to give them first-hand knowledge of what it is like to work in a classroom.

“It can be a personal learning and growing opportunity as well,” Theis said.

She said HHS students push themselves hard academically, and she was pleased to see the number of individuals still willing to volunteer their time and energy.

“They will provide additional joy to the classrooms,” she added.

“Our [HHS] kids can jump into the space and help the younger children learn about problem-solving — how to think through the process. … They can guide them but not do things for them,” Theis said.

Mitchell said a previous initiative resembled more of a student-teaching scenario. It was met with skepticism because of the formal, extra work involved with lesson planning.

This time, however, it is more informal.

“It is more like a volunteer embedding themselves into what is going on,” Mitchell said.

The feedback so far has been largely positive, and the initiative viewed as “more of a good thing” across the district.

Theis said there is a lot of community across the schools in Hopkinton — and there are ways to give back no matter what the age.

“It is grounded in values of inclusivity, respect and community,” noted Superintendent Evan Bishop. “The Hillers Mentoring Program envisions a school district where every student feels supported, seen and connected.”

Administrators emphasized that while younger children enjoy spending time with older students who they admire, the older participants can gain valuable perspectives personally and professionally.

“This program not only celebrates the spirit of mentorship but also reflects our shared belief that when older students invest in the growth of younger learners, everyone benefits — creating a stronger, more compassionate Hopkinton community,” Bishop said.