MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro schools will see some changes this year _ but one thing remains the same, education officials report: The goal is to provide each student with the best possible experience.

School is scheduled to begin for most students Wednesday, Aug. 30, with kindergarten students reporting Thursday, Aug. 31.

“The amount of growth that we have seen with our students last year was amazing and we are eager  to build upon that in the year to come,’’ Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Lyons said. 

A new five-year strategic plan for continued growth will be rolled out this year, Lyons said.

“We have collected input from students, families, educators, and community members to create a plan for growth and development that will directly benefit all of our students,’’ she said.

Middleboro High School, which is attended by students in grades 9 to 12, hosted its StartSTRONG program for incoming ninth graders on Aug. 16 and 17. This program allowed ninth graders to engage with upperclassmen, learn what it means to be a Sachem, and also get acclimated to a new building, Principal Paul Branagan said.

The school community is focused on launching its Future Ready Program, which he said reflects the school’s commitment to ensuring “that every graduate is ready to take the important steps in life after graduation and to finish strong.’’

High school staff members are also preparing for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation, with a consultant visit planned  in November, he said. 

“The most important thing to our school is that we remain committed to ensuring that every student who enters our school belongs and has all of the opportunities to thrive,’’ Branagan said. 

The John T. Nichols Middle School, home to students in grades 6 to 8, will begin the school year with a new principal, Heather Tucker, and a new schedule.

In this new organizational system, classes will rotate throughout the day, Tucker said at the Aug. 17 School Committee meeting, so that students will not be limited to a specific time to take a certain class. 

This was done to ensure that students who might work better at a specific time of day are not limited to, for example, taking math only first thing in the morning.

This schedule more closely reflects the high school structure, advocates of the plan reported. 

“We are excited to see what a new year brings to Nichols Middle School while continuing to build a community and culture of belonging through Tiger Strong events,’’ Tucker said. Nichols “is working on creating a better sense of community and belonging while encouraging students to think critically and develop a strong sense of self through the perseverance to achieve personalized success.’’

The Memorial Early Childhood Center, informally known as MECC, serves PreK and Kindergarten students.   

“We continue to teach our young students the importance of learning and engaging with others through play and direct instruction,’’ Principal Jeremy Gobeil said. “We are so excited to meet our new students and to work with them as they begin their educational journeys.’’

Mary K. Goode Elementary School Principal Lisa White said she is eager to open the school doors to new and returning students in grades 1-5. “We look forward to welcoming our students and their families for an exciting year of teaching and learning,” she said. 

Staff at Henry B. Burkland Elementary School, which also serves grades 1-5, anxiously await the arrival of the first day of school, Principal Derek Thompson said. 

“We can't wait to see all the kids and we are really looking forward to another great year.  Our goal this year, as it is every year, is to ensure that every student gets what they need to realize their full potential as a student.’’

As the Freetown-Lakeville School District opens the door to a new school year, much focus has been placed on the doors _ and windows _ themselves.

Namely, those at Assawompset Elementary School in Lakeville.

A project is underway to update the windows and doors at the school and concerns have been raised whether the school will be ready for students return.

Principal Bethany Pineault and Superintendent of Schools Alan Strauss have assured the community that Assawompset will open as planned, although some aspects may look a little different.

Once school starts, they said, construction, which has been underway this summer, will move to second shift so that students and staff are not impacted. 

“We firmly believe that almost all classrooms will have new windows installed for the first day of school,’’ the two wrote in a letter to the community.

Air quality has been continually tested, they said, and has remained at the required healthy level. “Any area that does not have a window installed for day 1 will have some temporary windows in place to ensure that natural light is accessible to everyone.’’

Strauss reports that the Freetown Lakeville Regional School District community is excited to welcome students back for the start of the new school year.

“From our two primary schools  to our campus schools, Freetown Lakeville Regional School District will continue in the 23-24 school year to bring exceptional educational opportunities offerings,and we are once again ready to meet the needs of each and every scholar in our district,’’ he said. “The proud history of Freetown Lakeville Regional School District  is filled with success and opportunities for all our students and we are laser focused to not only continue to ensure that Freetown Lakeville Regional School District remains a lighthouse district in the commonwealth, but to improve the entire educational experience.’’

All staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, building leaders, school resource officers, bus drivers and maintenance staff “have taken the time necessary to recharge and are eager to meet our students at the door on day 1,’’ Strauss said. “All of us, no matter our role, are here to ensure that every student has access to quality instruction, in a safe and secure school environment, each and every day. And we certainly are excited to work with the communities to improve the daily opportunities afforded to our students.’’

He cited with pride the academic success of students, including those taking advanced placement classes. The district was informed in July that 81 percent of those who took AP tests received a qualifying score, which is one of the better numbers in the state, he said.

This is the end result, he said, of two crucial parts of education: “an outstanding and dedicated high school staff and an outstanding and dedicated pk-8 staff who lay the foundation for student success.’’ 

The first day of school is Sept. 5. PreK and kindergarten students begin classes Sept. 7.