Violent incidents in Worcester Public Schools (WPS) have increased from the past school year, according to data the school district provided to the Worcester School Committee.

The data showed a significant increase in incidents involving physical assault of employees, rising to 158 in the 2024-2025 school year from 92 in the 2023-2024 school year — a 72% jump.

Incidents of fighting rose from 199 to 222, while incidents of damage or theft of school property increased from 17 incidents to 41. There was also an increase in incidents involving the possession or use of marijuana, with 83 incidents reported in the 2024-2025 school year, up from 51 in the 2023-2024 school year

The data, however, did show decreases in incidents involving the possession of weapons.

During the 2024-2025 school

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