“A Game Changer”: Side by Side Charter School Uses Digital Curriculum to Enrich Student Learning
Side by Side Charter School, a small school in South Norwalk, Connecticut, is finding new ways to expand learning opportunities for its students.
With its longstanding commitments to strong academics and community involvement, the school has recently implemented digital curriculum through Edmentum to expand course options, providing students with more choice and increased enrichment opportunities.
Mary Newbery, the school’s assistant director, shared how she and her fellow leaders at Side by Side are using digital curriculum to bring innovation to the school, providing students with new and enhanced learning opportunities.
About the School
Founded in 1998, Side by Side was created by a group of teachers who set out “to create a learning environment where diverse groups of students are challenged academically, encouraged to problem solve, and work cooperatively.” Many of the original founders are still active in the community in varying roles, such as serving on the board of directors or supporting administrative staff and families. The school’s mission emphasizes raising students who can understand and respect differences, preparing them to become responsible, engaged citizens.
The school’s philosophy, as stated on their website, is child-centered and ambitious:
“Our philosophy at Side by Side is based on the developmental and constructivist theories of Jean Piaget, John Dewey, and others. Our curriculum is carefully designed to coordinate with children’s developmental stages and include many opportunities for children to experience things first hand.”
The school attracts students from Norwalk, Bridgeport, and nearby communities in Connecticut. While transportation is available only for local students, families from across the area are drawn to the school for its strong reputation and early learning programs. One of the most popular offerings is the full-day preschool program for three- and four-year-olds. This program gives students a two-year head start before kindergarten, which helps with both academic preparation and social development.
The student population is highly diverse. “A lot of our kids are either Norwalk or Bridgeport kids,” Newbery says. “We’re a Title I school, so at any given time greater than 50 or 60% of our kids are eligible for free and reduced lunch.”
Many students are English language learners, and most become fluent, bilingual students who are proficient in English when they graduate. The diversity of the student body makes differentiation a central focus; students arrive with a wide range of academic experiences, language skills, and learning needs, which require flexible instruction and targeted support.
Curriculum Oversight & Meeting Current Learning Needs
Mary Newbery has been with the school for 20 years and has served in some administrative capacity for 15 years. In her role, she oversees curriculum, instruction, and student services, including support for English language learners and special education, with oversight from her school’s Executive Director. This leadership structure allows Mary and her team to focus on teaching, learning, and supporting student growth.
Like many schools, Side by Side faced considerable challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Differentiation for students has always been a challenging endeavor, and I think schools often focus their attention and resources on kids who are struggling,” Newbery explains. “Some kids did okay with distance learning, and others really struggled. You have these kids who are in all different places.”
As such, differentiation has become even more critical. The school had systems in place to assist struggling students, but it also needed ways to challenge students who were ready to advance. This was particularly true in middle school math, where students who could handle high school-level courses had limited options within the traditional curriculum.
Integrating Digital Curriculum to “Level Up” Learning
To address these challenges, the school piloted a program in their middle school using digital curriculum provided by Edmentum. “When the resources came across my desk, I thought this might be a way for us to meet the needs of some of those kids and really start thinking outside the box about being able to offer our middle school kids more,” reflects Newbery.
The program started with advanced math and an exploration of supplemental social studies units. These courses allowed students to explore topics beyond the standard curriculum while providing enrichment and opportunities for academic acceleration.
In math, students who were ready to take high school-level courses could do so online, under the guidance of their in-school math teacher. Similarly, social studies units complemented the existing humanities curriculum, which allowed students to explore historical inquiry, chronological thinking, and geography in greater depth.
Newbery notes how the Edmentum platform gave students flexibility: they could work at their own pace while receiving guidance from teachers who oversaw the online courses. This model allows students to take responsibility for their learning while ensuring that teachers can monitor progress, provide support, and address questions as needed.
Students adapted quickly and responded positively. “Those kids that tapped into the math, their math scores went up like crazy,” Newbery says. “But even more importantly, it really invigorated and motivated them. They felt like they were being heard and seen as students.”
In addition to academic growth, Newbery stresses the importance of students’ need to continue to develop important digital skills. She adds that, by navigating online assignments, completing assessments independently, and managing course progress, they are building confidence with technology that will undoubtedly be helpful in high school and beyond.
Teachers also found considerable value in the platform. With the structured learning options provided through Edmentum, they didn’t need to create all lessons from scratch. Teachers could instead focus on mentoring, guiding, and supporting students. This was especially valuable in a small school where staffing and scheduling limitations had historically restricted elective offerings.
Teachers could assign content, monitor progress, and provide help where needed. And for courses that complement core instruction, such as social studies units aligned with the humanities curriculum, teachers are able to dedicate more time to small-group support and targeted interventions.
Expanding Access and Choice
Following the success of the pilot program, Side by Side has expanded. Last year the schools used Apex Courses and this year they’ve implemented Edmentum Courseware, providing access across all middle school grades. The expansion provides horizontal enrichment, allowing students to explore content outside their grade level. Students also participate in career exploration modules to help them make informed choices about electives and future studies.
By offering a wider variety of courses, including electives that match students’ strengths and interests, the school aims to give students more ownership of their learning. Teachers work collaboratively to ensure students are supported as they navigate online courses while continuing to maintain high-quality instruction in the classroom.
For Newbery and the educators at Side by Side, digital curriculum is a way to offer students opportunities that were previously unavailable. “We’re really excited,” Newbery says. “I truly see it as a game changer for our kids. They’re going to have access to some quality coursework that they haven’t had access to prior to now.”
Side by Side is demonstrating how technology can support student learning, increase choice, and improve outcomes—even in a small, community-focused setting. The school’s positive experience highlights the potential for digital curriculum to create meaningful learning opportunities for students across all backgrounds.
