#MiddletownRI school leaders say big improvements are in store for the 2025-26 school year. New staff, new vision, new offerings and more with the goal of positively impacting each and every student.
BIG YEAR PLANNED FOR MIDDLETOWN SCHOOLS
MIDDLETOWN, RI (AUGUST 4, 2025) – Big things are in store for the Middletown school system in 2025-2026.
With the opening day of school prior to the Labor Day holiday for the first time in years, school leaders said they’ve been working hard through the summer so far to make sure everything is as smooth as possible.
From almost completely revamping the district’s curriculum over the past three years to continuing robust professional development and finding new ways to keep students engaged and growing, they said the coming year is an important one for Middletown schools.
And this doesn’t even include the strides on the new Middletown Middle High School at 1225 Aquidneck Ave. and upgrades at each of the district’s remaining buildings.
“We made a number of improvements across the district last year and it was good to see the direction of the School Committee put into place,” Superintendent Billy Niemeyer said. “The excitement and energy continues to build. That’s not to say we don’t have work to do. We do, but we’re putting the pieces in place to arrive where we all want to be achieving academic excellence.”
“We’ve always worked hard to make sure our schools are safe, welcoming and inclusive,” Assistant Superintendent Michelle Fonseca said. “Speaking with our students, teachers and staff, what’s happening is very real and definitely moving everything educationally in the right direction. I know we’re all looking forward to the upcoming school year and making it special.”
Both were pleased to have the same principal leadership team in place, which helps from a continuity and growth standpoint. The team is Donna Sweet at Middletown High School, Jerry Haas at Gaudet Middle School, Kaitlin Gibbins at Gaudet Learning Academy, Erika Bulk at Aquidneck Elementary School and Becky Silveira at Forest Avenue School.
The district welcomes Dr. Leslie Brow as the new Director of Student Services, replacing Lisa Birkett. Brow is known for her welcoming, positive approach. Most recently, Brow served with the Warwick school system, where she worked hard to guarantee high-quality, compliant services for students with special needs.
They also introduced new school Business Manager David Alves, who they said would continue to expand the partnership with the town and the shared service model that best manages resources and supports teaching and learning.
Niemeyer and Fonseca said the district will also build on its progress with its Multi Language Learner (MLL) population, which represents approximately 10 percent of the total student body in Middletown.
They said the school system is working to grow the Island Oasis, a collaboration with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center at Middletown High to provide food and essentials to those in need in the community.
The School Department’s efforts in these areas received high praise from Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green during a visit to the district in the last school year.
“When I run into people, they’re still talking about impact of Commissioner Infante-Green’s visit,” Niemeyer said. “We know we’re making progress, but to hear what she had to say and the genuine impact the visit had on her and her staff was something else. It was really a reaffirmation and one that everyone here appreciated.”
While Niemeyer and Fonseca said there’s a lot happening across the district, the ultimate focus was the success of each and every student. Not just those who are high achieving or in need of assistance or MLLs, play sports or are in the band.
As part of that campaign, the district will roll out its new “Engage, Empower, Elevate” instructional theme for the 2025-2026 school year. A major component of the effort is to show that Middletown’s schools aren’t focused only on teaching, but moving students in a positive, productive place.
“We can talk about all these programs and initiatives as much as we want, but what this all comes down to is students connecting and being inspired by their teachers,” Niemeyer said. “I’ve said it from the from the first day that I got here — Middletown is blessed to have teachers that genuinely care and want to make a positive difference for their students. It’s obvious when you enter our buildings and our classrooms.”
“And with our new curriculum, we’re giving the students and our outstanding educators the building blocks they need to succeed, whatever they do when they leave us,” Fonseca said. “Whether it’s college, the military or the work force, we’re working to make sure our student population is ready. Our Career Pathways program at the high school is impacting lives and preparing so many students.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/Opening-25
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov