Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Report card from state shows school district excelling in testing, post-secondary preparation

FILE PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

According to the latest data from the state, Hopkinton Public Schools continue to perform above expectations.

Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey LaBroad sent an email Monday to district families with the district’s latest report cards from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These reports use data such as student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities and other measures to evaluate how school districts are performing.

Per the findings of the school district’s report card, HPS is 86% toward the state’s targets for annual improvement. Districts and schools that achieve 75% or greater are considered to be meeting or exceeding their targets.

Hopkinton excels in its MCAS performance, advanced course placement and high school outcomes. Over 60% of Grade 11 and 12 students complete at least one advanced course. The majority of students also exceed or meet expectations for MCAS testing, outperforming the state average.

The result is a 97.8% graduation rate for 2023, with just over 85% of those students going on to post-secondary education.

All of this is achieved while spending less than average on each student. In 2023, Hopkinton spent $16,571 per student. In contrast, cost per student averaged out at $21,256 statewide.

One area in which HPS appears to be lagging behind is access to digital literacy learning. Just under 30% of students completed at least one computer science or digital literacy course in 2024, slightly below state averages.

More in-depth data and report cards for each school in the district can be found in the DESE report card database.

Latest News

Two individuals have been charged with assault and battery after allegedly assaulting Hopkinton police officers in unrelated incidents over the weekend.

A Hopkinton veterinarian now is awaiting a ruling from the state Supreme Judicial Court following a hearing earlier this month regarding the suspension of her license.

A student group at Hopkinton High School is engaging the community in hopes of raising awareness about the impacts of anemia, particularly for youth and adolescent girls.

HHS swimming coach Blake Briner said his teams’ chemistry and postseason performance led to a lively winter season with a group that “genuinely liked being around one another.”

This week’s Real Estate Transactions list shows eight homes sold, including one over $1 million.

Thomas Argir, 82, passed away on Feb. 20. He ended his longtime career in education as principal of Center School.

Valentina “Tina” Cass, 88, of Hopkinton passed away Feb. 19.

Town meetings tonight include the Board of Assessors (5:30) and the Conservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

A team of Hopkinton Basketball Association Grade 7 girls went 4-0 in the Acton-Boxborough February Invitational Tournament this past weekend, defeating Hopedale in the championship game, 42-27. Team members include (from left): Harper Shepard, Naeva Benning, assistant coach Adam Feigen, Abby Thompson, Kylie Pray, Lucy Harrington, Enza Spinelli, Maya Feigen (who also won the tournament’s free throw contest), Brooklyn Bearfield, Ellie Donahue, Jenna Valis and coach Heather Bearfield. Not pictured: Quinn Shepard and assistant coach Zach Shepard.