The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough

The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough believe that all children should be educated in an environment where they are safe, supported, engaged, and challenged. Faculty and staff work to provide students with meaningful learning experiences that help students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for them to become healthy and productive citizens.

Important components of this work are the development, identification, review, and updating of District curriculum. Educators collaborate to develop curriculum units that are aligned to local, state, and national learning outcomes and to ensure that students have consistent, coherent, and aligned learning experiences as they progress from preschool to graduation. Through this dynamic process, educators have:

developed and documented a coherent and effective curriculum across the ten schools for all students;
improved the overall coherence and effectiveness of the District's curriculum, and;
identified and addressed academic gaps, redundancies, and misalignments.

Though our learning targets for each subject and grade remain fairly constant, the curriculum itself - the lessons, projects, assignments, and materials that educators use in the classroom - are dynamic. District educators use their knowledge of teaching and learning to constantly reflect, revise, and improve their work with students in the classroom.

Diagram illustrating a Multi-Tiered System of Support, depicting tiers of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support around a school building.

District Accomodation Plan

Logo of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education featuring a person holding a large yellow star above their head.

DESE MA Curriculum Frameworks

Carnegie Learning logo featuring the text "LONG + LIVE + MATH" in a blue and black color scheme.

Carnegie Learning Math- Gr 6-8

Logo of EL Education, featuring a stylized "EL" and the word "Education" in white on a red background. Middle School English Language Arts (Gr 6-8)

Colorful logo of "Al's Pals," featuring a cheerful character promoting healthy choices for kids. Colorful text reading "Building Blocks" against a bright blue background, featuring playful, chunky letters in various colors.

PreSchool Curriculum

Text logo featuring the words "WIT & WISDOM" in bold, playful blue letters against a black background.

Elementary English Language Arts Gr (K-5)

Logo of ST Math featuring a cartoon penguin with a backpack, accompanied by the text "ST Math." in bold, modern typography.

Elementary Math (Gr. K-5)

Logo of enVision MATH, featuring the text in bold with colorful dots above the "i" and "o." A trademark symbol is included.

Second Step - Social Emotional Learning

Infographic titled "What to Look For" outlining strategies for integrating ELA in kindergarten, focusing on observing classroom practices.

Curriculum Guides

Curriculum Resources Update

Logo of "Wit & Wisdom" in bold white letters on a light blue background, representing a brand focused on knowledge and humor.

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure that we “empower learners” and provide “equity of opportunity.” As a result, we are thrilled to adopt a highly-rated resource for our elementary ELA--Wit & Wisdom. Wit & Wisdom is a knowledge-building curriculum that promotes rich academic discourse through integrated reading, speaking, listening, and writing experiences.

Resources to learn more about Wit and Wisdom

Logo of EL Education in white text on a red background, featuring a stylized "E" and the word "Education." 6-8 ELA Curriculum Update:

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure that we “empower learners” and provide “equity of opportunity.” As a result, we are thrilled to adopt a highly-rated resource for our middle school ELA classrooms--EL.
EL is a knowledge-building curriculum that promotes rich academic discourse through integrated reading, speaking, listening, and writing experiences. It is a rigorous curriculum with engaging texts. It builds upon the ELA experiences of students in grades K-5.

Resources to learn more about EL Education English Language Arts Curriculum Resources

Logo of Carnegie Learning featuring the words "Long Live Math" in a modern, bold design with black and blue elements.

Middle School Math Curriculum Update:

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure that we “empower learners” and provide “equity of opportunity.” As a result, we are excited to use a highly-rated resource for our middle school mathematics program--Carnegie Learning Math. Carnegie Learning provides a blended approach that includes collaborative, problem-solving and mathematical discourse through MATHbook lessons as well as individualized, digital learning experiences through, MATHia, an adaptive math program.

Resources to learn more about Carnegie Math

enVision Mathematics 2020

Logo for enVision Mathematics with colorful illustrations from lessons around it, showcasing interactive learning for kids and teachers. Our primary curriculum resource is enVision Math 2020 (Savvas). At the instructional core of enVision Math is problem-based and visual learning. Concepts and procedures are introduced to students with a problem-based experience (called a Solve and Share) where students must think critically about a real-world math problem, evaluate options, collaborate, and present solutions. This is followed by enhanced direct instruction where student’s thinking and solutions are connected to the new math of the lesson. To further enhance this connection, visual illustrations (called Visual Learning Bridge) are presented (via video or workbook) to promote understanding. Students are then provided with guided and independent practice to deepen their understanding of concepts. To learn more about grade specific components us the links below to match your needs.

Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Math Course Progressions Grades 6 - 12

ST Math

Meet Jiji, the ST Math Ambassador. ST Math is a digital learning platform used in our K-5 classrooms. ST Math’s approach - manipulating objects in space and time - is totally unique! The program starts by teaching the foundational concepts visually, then connects the ideas to the symbols, language, and robust discourse. Why does this approach work so well? Because with visual learning, students are better equipped to tackle unfamiliar math problems, recognize patterns, and build conceptual understanding. Without language barriers, the problem is accessible to all students, regardless of skill level or language background. To learn more about ST Math check out the Family Resources at ST Math

K-8 SEL Curriculum Update:

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure we provide students with rigorous, coherent learning experiences. In the area of Social Emotional Learning, we have been working to develop greater coherence across the K-8 continuum so that students are using consistent vocabulary and strategies to develop social-emotional competencies. Therefore, we are excited to utilize Second Step®, as a curriculum resource for K-8 students. Second Step® is an evidence-based curriculum that systematically and explicitly teaches age-appropriate social skills including bullying prevention. Second Step® is aligned with the CASEL® framework for social and emotional learning and provides connections for families and extended-day programs.

Resources to learn more about Social Emotional Learning and Second Step®

Focus on Early Learning
Our main integrated curriculum is the Focus on Pre-K curriculum which facilitates powerful learning experiences for three- and four-year-olds. The Focus on Pre-K curriculum was developed by Boston Public Schools and supports children's development across intellectual, social-emotional, and physical domains, addressing State learning standards in Approaches to Play and Learning, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science and Engineering, and integrating the Arts in child-driven and teacher-guided learning experiences. National research has identified Focus on Pre-K as one of the strongest, most consistently proven interventions for closing the achievement gap.

Resources to learn more about: Focus on Early Learning

Building Blocks

Colorful letters spell "Building Blocks" on a blue background, showcasing a playful design ideal for children's learning and creativity.

Building Blocks™ embeds mathematical learning in PreK students’ daily activities—from designated math activities to circle and story time—to relate informal math knowledge to formal concepts.

Resources to learn more about Building Blocks

Al’s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices

Cartoon character Al with purple hair and a cheerful expression promotes healthy choices for kids, accompanied by the text "Al's Pals."

Our teachers use Al’s Pals to help develop the foundation our children need for success in school and life by promoting social–emotional skills such as self-control, problem-solving, relationship building, and healthy decision-making in children ages 3-6. Al’s Pals is highly regarded as an evidence-based model prevention program, Al’s Pals is endorsed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning.

Resources to learn more about Al’s Pals

District Accomodation Plan

DESE MA Curriculum Frameworks

Carnegie Learning Math- Gr 6-8

Middle School English Language Arts (Gr 6-8)

PreSchool Curriculum

Elementary English Language Arts Gr (K-5)

Elementary Math (Gr. K-5)

Second Step - Social Emotional Learning

Curriculum Guides
Curriculum Resources Update

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure that we “empower learners” and provide “equity of opportunity.” As a result, we are thrilled to adopt a highly-rated resource for our elementary ELA--Wit & Wisdom. Wit & Wisdom is a knowledge-building curriculum that promotes rich academic discourse through integrated reading, speaking, listening, and writing experiences.

Resources to learn more about Wit and Wisdom
6-8 ELA Curriculum Update:

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure that we “empower learners” and provide “equity of opportunity.” As a result, we are thrilled to adopt a highly-rated resource for our middle school ELA classrooms--EL.
EL is a knowledge-building curriculum that promotes rich academic discourse through integrated reading, speaking, listening, and writing experiences. It is a rigorous curriculum with engaging texts. It builds upon the ELA experiences of students in grades K-5.

Resources to learn more about EL Education English Language Arts Curriculum Resources
Middle School Math Curriculum Update:

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure that we “empower learners” and provide “equity of opportunity.” As a result, we are excited to use a highly-rated resource for our middle school mathematics program--Carnegie Learning Math. Carnegie Learning provides a blended approach that includes collaborative, problem-solving and mathematical discourse through MATHbook lessons as well as individualized, digital learning experiences through, MATHia, an adaptive math program.

Resources to learn more about Carnegie Math
enVision Mathematics 2020

Our primary curriculum resource is enVision Math 2020 (Savvas). At the instructional core of enVision Math is problem-based and visual learning. Concepts and procedures are introduced to students with a problem-based experience (called a Solve and Share) where students must think critically about a real-world math problem, evaluate options, collaborate, and present solutions. This is followed by enhanced direct instruction where student’s thinking and solutions are connected to the new math of the lesson. To further enhance this connection, visual illustrations (called Visual Learning Bridge) are presented (via video or workbook) to promote understanding. Students are then provided with guided and independent practice to deepen their understanding of concepts. To learn more about grade specific components us the links below to match your needs.
- Kindergarten
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Math Course Progressions Grades 6 - 12
ST Math

Meet Jiji, the ST Math Ambassador. ST Math is a digital learning platform used in our K-5 classrooms. ST Math’s approach - manipulating objects in space and time - is totally unique! The program starts by teaching the foundational concepts visually, then connects the ideas to the symbols, language, and robust discourse. Why does this approach work so well? Because with visual learning, students are better equipped to tackle unfamiliar math problems, recognize patterns, and build conceptual understanding. Without language barriers, the problem is accessible to all students, regardless of skill level or language background. To learn more about ST Math check out the Family Resources at ST Math
K-8 SEL Curriculum Update:

In keeping with Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, Challenge, our District strategic plan, we regularly assess our curricular resources to ensure we provide students with rigorous, coherent learning experiences. In the area of Social Emotional Learning, we have been working to develop greater coherence across the K-8 continuum so that students are using consistent vocabulary and strategies to develop social-emotional competencies. Therefore, we are excited to utilize Second Step®, as a curriculum resource for K-8 students. Second Step® is an evidence-based curriculum that systematically and explicitly teaches age-appropriate social skills including bullying prevention. Second Step® is aligned with the CASEL® framework for social and emotional learning and provides connections for families and extended-day programs.

Resources to learn more about Social Emotional Learning and Second Step®
Focus on Early Learning
Our main integrated curriculum is the Focus on Pre-K curriculum which facilitates powerful learning experiences for three- and four-year-olds. The Focus on Pre-K curriculum was developed by Boston Public Schools and supports children's development across intellectual, social-emotional, and physical domains, addressing State learning standards in Approaches to Play and Learning, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science and Engineering, and integrating the Arts in child-driven and teacher-guided learning experiences. National research has identified Focus on Pre-K as one of the strongest, most consistently proven interventions for closing the achievement gap.
- Resources to learn more about: Focus on Early Learning
Building Blocks

Building Blocks™ embeds mathematical learning in PreK students’ daily activities—from designated math activities to circle and story time—to relate informal math knowledge to formal concepts.
- Resources to learn more about Building Blocks
Al’s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices

Our teachers use Al’s Pals to help develop the foundation our children need for success in school and life by promoting social–emotional skills such as self-control, problem-solving, relationship building, and healthy decision-making in children ages 3-6. Al’s Pals is highly regarded as an evidence-based model prevention program, Al’s Pals is endorsed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning.
- Resources to learn more about Al’s Pals