CAPS Welcomes New Member District: Ayer-Shirley

Collage of three images: the first image is of three male actors, the other two images each show a female with flowers.
CAPS expands to 12 member districts with the addition of Ayer-Shirley. This partnership strengthens CAPS' collaborative spirit and aligns with ASRSD's vision of academic excellence. Together, we're poised for new opportunities and growth in education.
On July 1, we were thrilled to welcome the Ayer-Shirley Regional School District (ASRSD) as our newest member. This exciting new chapter builds upon the strong partnership we’ve recently established with the Ayer-Shirley community.

Last summer, we relocated our Deaf and Hard of Hearing preschool and elementary school programs to Page Hilltop Elementary School in Ayer. The transition was made smooth thanks to the active involvement of Page Hilltop’s special education director and administration, who helped us integrate our programs seamlessly into their school culture. From the start, we felt welcomed by the Ayer community, and after a successful school year, we’re excited to continue growing our program at Page Hilltop. This positive experience naturally led to discussions about Ayer-Shirley joining CAPS as an official member.

Reflecting on our roots, CAPS began as a corporation in 1975 with eight community members: Athol, Athol-Royalston, Gardner, Orange, Petersham, Narragansett, Oakmont, and Winchendon. In the late eighties, we dissolved our status of incorporation and become part of the public educational system while holding onto our original members. Over the years, we’ve welcomed additional members like Fitchburg in the early 1990s and Leominster in 2011. Ayer-Shirley’s recent addition marks our first new member district in over a decade.

This partnership with Ayer-Shirley is more than just growth; it strengthens the collaborative spirit that has always been at the heart of CAPS. Our Board of Directors includes representatives from each member district so they have a voice in the direction of CAPS’ programming. We’re pleased to welcome ASRSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Renda to our board and are looking forward to adding his perspectives to our leadership.

ASRSD’s vision—to connect, engage, and inspire every student to reach academic and social excellence—aligns perfectly with our mission to support all students in reaching their full potential, no matter the challenges they may face.

As we approach nearly five decades of service, the inclusion of Ayer-Shirley is a significant milestone in our journey. With our shared dedication to our region’s youth, this partnership promises to bring exciting new opportunities and successes for both CAPS and Ayer-Shirley students.