School Officials Seek Innovation School Designation For Normandin

The New Bedford School Department is taking steps to convert Normandin Middle School into an Innovation School, with special emphasis on subjects like science, technology, engineering, art and math.

School Department spokesman Jon Carvalho says district leaders are hoping to boost educational attainment at Normandin. "We're finding that when kids get to high school, sometimes they aren't as prepared as we'd like them to be, especially in those subjects, and we feel this is an innovative and creative way to ensure that they are ready for high school and college," said Carvalho.

Carvalho says school officials are applying for a $50,000 grant to help with the conversion, however Normandin's faculty and the School Committee must approve the plan before it goes forward.

Officials hope to open the doors to the Innovation School in September, 2016