Project Update - April 3, 2026: April Community Input Events Planned

The Educational Model Review project will host several Community events in April as the project shifts its focus fully on gathering community input and perspectives. In partnership with the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy, the project to date has focused on existing data and documentation, getting to know the ins and outs of Dedham’s current educational model. The next phase of the project, Community Engagement will be a key priority throughout the next 6 weeks, inviting the Dedham community to share its voices and perspectives on what Dedham Public Schools should prioritize moving forward.

Community Engagement - Save the Dates & Participate!

Members of the Dedham community are invited to these upcoming events:

  • April 8, 2026 - Dedham Middle School - 6:30pm-8:00pm - Dedham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Resource Fair: The Rennie Center will have representatives at a dedicated Ed Model table during this event, which is open to the community. They will be on hand to gather general input and insights, as well as answer any questions from event attendees.

Community Listening Events

  • April 14, 2026 - MotherBrook Arts and Community Center - 5:30pm - 6:30pm
  • April 27, 2026 - Dedham Middle School - 5:30pm - 6:30pm

At these two formal listening sessions, Rennie Center staff will be hosting roundtables across four topics - Facility Needs: ensuring buildings support learning; School and Program Design: aligning programs with student needs; Staffing and Resources: ensuring the right support in the right places; Enrollment Policies: how the district determines which schools or programs students attend. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in two roundtables of their choosing during the event schedule.

Community Survey

  • A Community Survey, accessible to all community members, designed to gather feedback on key topic areas in the Educational Model and priorities for Dedham Public Schools will be launched in Mid-April.

The work on developing an updated Educational Model for the District is being conducted under the guidance of an appointed Dedham School Committee subcommittee chaired by Chris Polito, along with Josh Langmead, and Anthony Rodriguez, and in close collaboration with the DPS Leadership team.

The Rennie Center is a local education-focused non-profit based in Boston, MA whose mission is to improve public education through well-informed decision-making that’s based on deep knowledge and evidence of effective policymaking and practice. They are a nonpartisan organization that works to advance and connect research, practice, and policy, to promote systems that champion student success.