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.

HHS recognized for high student performance, growth

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Hopkinton High School recently was named a 2026 School of Recognition by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The honor was announced by the Hopkinton Public Schools on its Facebook page last week. “This recognition reflects strong progress toward state goals and, just as important, progress across our student body,” the post states.

Sarah Ellam, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said that the award is a result of annual accountability reporting the school district has to complete each year with DESE. Based on MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) scores, the data is reviewed to track how students are performing in English language arts (ELA), math and science.

The report also tracks growth in ELA and math specifically, along with things like high school completion, progress toward obtaining English language proficiency and other factors.

HHS’s full results are available to view online. Ellam noted that “it is a complicated way that they assess [the data]” and that the reports take into account the two most recent academic years. The point of the accountability data, she explained, is for the state and DESE to identify schools that require intervention and those that do not.

The high school ranked in the 97th percentile across the state for accountability this year, according to the report. Ellam highlighted that the data used in the evaluation shows just how well HHS students are performing in comparison to their peers statewide.

“Our scores are actually going up and actually are higher than 2019,” Ellam said in regard to students’ ELA performance. She said the state has seen a “significant drop” in these numbers, which are not rebounding from before the COVID-19 pandemic. In comparison, ELA scores appear to be rising at HHS. Likewise, math scores are trending upward versus an overall flattening trend statewide.

Ellam attributed HHS students’ high performance both to them and the instruction they are receiving at the high school. She also called out the “vertical progression of skills” through all school levels in the district.

“There’s so many people who are a part of that process,” she said. “It’s an educational journey along the way.”

Added Ellam: “I think everyone at HHS is really proud of this recognition, and really proud of the kids, too, for this work.”

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Discrepancies over a peer review waiver for a Hayden Rowe Street office building led the Planning Board on Monday to continue a hearing about the property.

At its meeting Monday night, the Planning Board discussed recommendations for revising the town charter relating to the master plan and removing the defunct town planner position.

The Board of Health on Monday discussed issues with communicating health information to residents and reviewed potential impacts of upcoming changes to Medicare and SNAP.

This week’s Move in Style Athlete Spotlight shines on field hockey senior Avery Quebec, who already has picked up a goal and an assist this season in her new role as an attacking midfielder.

The latest Senior Snippets features information on a walking challenge, this month’s book club and a performance by Frisbee dogs.

Town meetings tonight include the Charter Review Committee public forum (6:30).

Photo of the Day

Nancy Tarsi, chair of the Hopkinton Women’s Club’s Project HOPE, holds some of the 25 birthday bags the organization recently delivered to Hopkinton’s Project Just Because as part of its monthly charitable giving program.