When Andover Public Schools submitted its application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for funding support in 2018, the district saw the West Elementary School building project as an opportunity to approach the project for the benefit of Andover’s entire elementary program. In this application, APS noted that if a new West Elementary School was built, the district would redistrict the other four elementary schools in such a way that each school’s enrollment is most effectively aligned with its capacity.

On March 20, 2025, the School Committee voted to support DillingerRAD's scenario E6/M5. DillingerRAD is the consultant who will be supporting the district to analyze data in the redistricting process. This approach attempts to balance school capacity, provide for larger groups of students moving on to middle school, minimize long-term costs, and ensure safety for students who walk to school.

The approved redistricting plan will be implemented beginning in the 2026-27 school year. At the March 20th meeting, the Committee voted to support the first phase of an implementation strategy. This strategy would permit students starting Kindergarten in the fall of 2025 to enroll at the elementary school to which they will be zoned in fall 2026. This strategy would also provide for “legacy enrollment” for students who will be in 5th grade or 8th grade in the fall of 2026, so that they may complete their elementary or middle school career in their original school.

A second implementation phase concerning student placement for the fall of 2027 is expected to be discussed at the April 17 meeting. These implementation phases will be supplemented by events, programs, and other supports to help students make transitions, whether from an old school to a new school or from elementary to middle school.This allows the district sufficient time to operationally plan for the new school zones.

The redistricting process is a work in progress to develop a long-term plan for the future. The plan is intended to help address anticipated growth in Andover that could impact our students’ educational environment for years to come.

The entire community of Andover needs to be involved in developing the plan to make this project a success.