Andover Schools Leaning Toward Hybrid Reopening Model

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Public Schools officials are leaning toward a hybrid model at all levels, they said in their plan submission to the state, Friday.

The district did not specify the schedule for the hybrid model, but said full in-person learning would be difficult at most levels and impossible at the high school, due to physical distancing requirements. Buses would also present an enormous challenge.

"The district is considering a variation of an A/B hybrid model where 50% of a class is in-person and 50% is on-line," according to the plan submission.

Some area districts are planning to split students into groups which each spend two days a week in class, a.m. and p.m. groups and groups for alternating weeks. District officials presented examples to the School Committee, Thursday, but not a settled schedule.

The schedule will be "determined soon," the district said in its submission.

Additional in-person time would be provided for students with special needs or in need of intensive learning support.

Some students would learn entirely remotely in any model; the district estimated that 20 percent would in an in-person model.

District officials previously said that they view the three models as a "continuum." For remote portions, the district plans to use a learning management system called Schoology, which uses one login and integrates all the other tools the district has already used.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.