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Multi-age classrooms may be coming back up on Cape Ann!

The School Committee’s decision to support multi-age classrooms followed months of study by an eight-member focus group composed of school and elected officials, teachers and a parent.

The group began its research at the end of last summer. Members created a list of 20 questions they had about the multi-age educational philosophy. They then took turns visiting schools with multi-age classrooms in Rockport, Salem, Norwell and Bedford. The group’s final report is available on the district’s Web site at: www.gloucesterschools.com/

Most schools combine early grades, such as first and second or third and fourth, while keeping single age grades for kindergarten and in middle and high schools.

Although some group members were critical of multi-age classrooms at first, they were “wowed” by classroom visits.

“It was an ‘Aha!’ moment,” Gilman said. “It was terrific to see it.”

While this will save money, the district has been quick to emphasize that it is not doing this for that reason.