Old Rochester vies for Acushnet students in tuition deal
Old Rochester and Acushnet Public Schools have met since August to discuss the possibilities of a new tuition deal between the districts. Source: Old Rochester Regional School District
Mike Devoll leads a conversation between Old Rochester and Acushnet representatives.
Old Rochester and Acushnet Public Schools have met since August to discuss the possibilities of a new tuition deal between the districts. Source: Old Rochester Regional School District
Mike Devoll leads a conversation between Old Rochester and Acushnet representatives.
MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester and three other schools are vying for a tuition deal with Acushnet Public Schools which would welcome more students from the Acushnet district.
The Acushnet School Committee will host the final vote on which districts Acushnet will negotiate with on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Acushnet does not have its own public high school — which leads to many Acushnet students opting to attend Old Colony Regional Vocational High School, Fairhaven High School or New Bedford High School.
Tuition deals with Fairhaven and New Bedford are set to expire soon, so Acushnet has been looking at other options. Acushnet is in communication with Old Rocheter, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Freetown-Lakeville School Districts.
Old Rochester has been hosting tours and meetings with Achusnet representatives since August. They hope to begin enrolling freshman students in the fall of 2026.
Old Rochester Superintendent Michael Nelson explained the process of meeting with Acushnet at a Thursday Nov. 20 School Committee Meeting. Old Rochester hosted multiple panels and tours guided by students.
“Some of the students are Tri-town residents, others are School Choice students as well, which I think speaks to the matter of what we're looking to possibly do,” said Nelson.
School Choice allows students to attend a public school in a district other than their own.
Mike Devoll, principal of Old Rochester Regional High School, explained that through the School Choice program, there are many Acushnet students already at Old Rochester.
“Coming to a tuition agreement will allow for a stronger relationship with Acushnet and remove the school choice lottery as the pathway for Acushnet students to attend Old Rochester,” Devoll said.
Devoll mentioned that they will explore transportation options for families in Acushnet who choose to attend Old Rochester.
“I hope to provide a clearer pathway for Acushnet students to attend Old Rochester. Relying on a lottery is an unsettling proposal for families,” said Devoll.
