At North Haven Public Schools (NHPS), a shared vision for educational excellence is transforming classrooms. In partnership with Open Up Resources (OUR), a nonprofit K–12 curriculum publisher known for its high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), North Haven Public Schools is proving how aligned curriculum, professional learning, and teacher collaboration can elevate literacy outcomes for all students.

A Mission-Driven Approach to Student-Centered Learning

The mission of North Haven Public Schools is clear: “to develop responsible, educated, and productive global citizens who can thrive in an ever-changing world.” That vision shapes every instructional decision, ensuring that the district’s teaching and learning practices remain both student-centered and data-driven.

NHPS’s instructional model is uniquely structured around multiple layers of support. Central office administrators maintain an active presence in classrooms to stay connected to daily instruction. Instructional coordinators guide curriculum decisions, and literacy coaches in every building provide embedded, ongoing coaching. Professional learning is consistent, relevant, and responsive to help educators strengthen their instructional practice before, during, and after implementation.

This deliberate, multi-tiered structure reflects North Haven’s unwavering belief that when teachers are supported, students succeed.

Partnering With Open Up Resources to Advance Literacy

In 2023, NHPS partnered with Open Up Resources to implement Bookworms K–5 Reading & Writing, an evidence-based literacy curriculum grounded in the science of reading. The district’s goal was to shift from a balanced literacy approach to one that explicitly builds foundational skills, vocabulary, and comprehension through structured, research-aligned instruction.

The results were remarkable. “Typically, when introducing a new curriculum, it’s common to see an initial dip in student performance data,” explains Kaitlin Ortiz, K–8 ELA Coordinator for NHPS. “However, we were pleasantly surprised to see the opposite—our data showed growth across all assessed areas.”

During the 2024–2025 school year, NHPS recorded measurable gains:

• i-Ready and SBAC scores increased by 2% overall
• Students in grades 1–5 gained an average of 45 words per minute from fall to spring
• SBAC cohorts (grades 3→4 and 4→5) demonstrated an impressive 9% average growth
  

These numbers highlight the power of combining HQIM with professional learning and teacher collaboration.

Empowering Teachers Through Research-Based Practices

The shift from Units of Study to Bookworms required both courage and curiosity from teachers. Ortiz recalls that educators initially grappled with the new structure but soon began asking deeper questions about the “why” behind each instructional decision.

As teachers internalized the Bookworms modules and connected them to the science of reading, they began to plan more intentionally using formative data, scaffolding lessons, and prioritizing high-leverage questions. Learning walks throughout the district have shown clear evidence of teachers implementing the curriculum with both fidelity and integrity.

“The partnership with OUR has reignited teachers’ sense of purpose,” Ortiz says. “They now see how each lesson contributes to knowledge-building and long-term student success.”

Engaged Students, Lasting Impact

Perhaps the most inspiring transformation is seen in students’ engagement. Ortiz shares one moment that captures this change:

“I walked into a fifth-grade classroom during their [shared] reading. One student, usually a reluctant reader, jumped up and said, ‘I’m telling my mom to buy this book as soon as I get home!’”

Stories like this reflect what HQIM does best—ignite curiosity and joy in learning. Students are now reading authentically rich texts, discussing ideas with enthusiasm, and developing confidence as readers and writers.

Building a Culture of Instructional Excellence

For Ortiz, what sets Open Up Resources apart is its commitment to partnership. “Open Up doesn’t just provide curriculum. They help us build a culture of thoughtful, reflective instruction,” she says.

Ortiz explains, “A consistent, structured routine that uses similar language across all grade levels creates a framework in which students not only thrive but achieve success.” 

Through high-quality instructional materials, intentional professional learning, and a strong partnership with Open Up Resources, North Haven Public Schools is demonstrating what’s possible when evidence-based literacy meets a community committed to continuous improvement.