THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 16, 2026 SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 1 and we will never forget that.” Mayor Gary Christenson, who is also chairperson of the School Committee, was present at the recent Grand Opening celebration earlier this month. “The new facility is simply remarkable, in every way,” Mayor Christenson told his colleagues at the meeting. “Please go and see the new Northeast school firsthand and see what resources are now available to our Malden students and those from other communities.” Malden is one of 12 cities and towns that send students to Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School, also including Chelsea, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn. Approximately 150Page 7 160 Malden residents attend the school as students. Superintendent DiBarri also brought some updates regarding programming at the new school, including enhancements to its early college offerings. He said participation in early college programs at Northeast have steadily increased, where now close to 40 percent of upperclassmen participate in programs where they can earn college credits. DiBarri said Northeast is now seeking a Polytechnic Academy designation, a nationally based model that combines vocational training with early college coursework. The designation would make Northeast one of roughly 22 polytechnic high schools in the country. Under the model, students can earn up to 30 college credits while in high school. Nearly 500 Northeast students out of the approximately 1,380 enrolled are currently earning early college credits through partnerships with Middlesex Community College, Boston Architectural College and Salem State University. DiBarri said the school plans to launch a oneyear pilot of the program next year before deciding whether to expand it. “We had to have a future-ready facility in order to apply for the designation and now we have it,” DiBarri said. “It is a very exciting step.” “You all are creating great opportunities for our students and it is very impressive to see,” Ward 2 School Committee member Jennifer Spadafora said. “We appreciate making it possible for… many students to pursue a college path who wish to make that choice.” NORTHEAST LEADERS: Malden’s Northeast School Committee representative, Sean Salazar (left), and Superintendent David DiBarri appeared at the recent Malden School Committee meeting. (Advocate Photo) Subscribe to The Advocate: www.advocatenews.net
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