Springfield

Message from Superintendent Dr. Alan Ingram:

“Springfield Public Schools is the ideal setting for inspired teachers who are passionate about urban education.

Our student population is rich and diverse, and we believe that all of our students can achieve academic excellence. We are committed to transforming our greatest needs schools and seek effective teachers to join our team during this exciting, unique time of turnaround and change.

Our support of teachers as leaders in this work is superlative. We offer differentiated professional development, a sprawling network of community partners and are working to secure a benefits package that includes attractive and competitive financial incentives.”

• • •

Overview of Special Supports for Teachers in Turnaround Schools:
The district is working to create an attractive benefits package that incentivizes teaching at a Level 4 school and also includes monetary rewards for teachers at schools that reach academic growth goals for students.

Turnaround Schools in Springfield:
• Brightwood School
• Elias Brookings School
• Chestnut Accelerated Middle School
• German Gerena Community School
• High School of Commerce
• Homer Street School
• John F. Kennedy Middle School
• M. Marcus Kiley Middle School
• White Street School
• Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet School

• • •

Brightwood School
Grades: K-5
Level: Elementary
Principal, 2010-11: Shalimar Colon
Address: 471 Plainfield St., Springfield, MA 01107   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7238
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Enrollment: 416 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

The mission of Brightwood Elementary School is to teach all children, with clear expectations and developmentally appropriate practices, through differentiated instruction and academic rigor in collaboration with all school staff and the community.

Professional development for teachers includes ELA/Reading Curriculum, Literacy Block and Differentiated Instruction for all learners; Math, Science and Social Studies Programs; Ongoing use of instructional assessment/data to provide instruction according to the students’ needs.

Brightwood is a Massachusetts Reading First School. The Reading First initiative provides schools with the support to apply scientifically based reading research to ensure all students read well by the end of the third grade.

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Elias Brookings School
Grades: Pre-K - 5
Level: Elementary
Principal, 2010-11: Terry D. Powe
Address: 367 Hancock St., Springfield, MA 01105   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7200
Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Enrollment: 363 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

Elias Brookings Expeditionary Learning Museum Magnet School is a school where staff and students work on grade level or school wide projects that help transform the school into a living museum. 

Museum studies offer students opportunities to explore how artifacts provide a glimpse into our past and impact our view of history. In Expeditionary Learning, the teachers involve students in learning through rigorous academic content and service to the community, which are embedded in learning expeditions. Visits to local museums are also used as springboards to meaningful exploration in all areas of the curriculum. 

At Elias Brookings EL Museum Magnet School, the school becomes a museum during public exhibit openings where every student has a project they can be proud of on display in our classrooms, hallways and display galleries. The Elias Brookings Museum School family is thrilled to be able to offer these unique learning opportunities to our students. 

As a school village of nurturing educators, parents and community members, we uphold high standards of academic performance and conduct in order to develop independent, critical thinkers who demonstrate outstanding moral character and an overall culture of achievement. We are working hard to change the culture and environment of Brookings to one that is more positive and welcoming. We are updating our physical plant to support our museum focus where our atmosphere can be more museum-like and more supportive of display. 

A new gallery has been created to showcase student work. In support of student academic achievement, Brookings uses magnet resources to help focus our work and has used the coaching and support of Expeditionary Learning to move academic work forward. In addition, technology such as Smartboards, Elmos, and laptops and laptop carts have been purchased to support the teaching and learning of 21st century skills.

• • •

Chestnut Accelerated Middle School
Grades: 6-8
Level: Middle
Principal, 2010-11: Anthony Davila
Address: 355 Plainfield St., Springfield, MA 01107   [map]
Phone: 413-750-2333
Hours: 7:50 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Enrollment: 1,038 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

Chestnut Accelerated Middle School is committed to providing a safe, supportive and rigorous education in a richly diverse environment where language, culture, and the arts are woven into the fabric of learning. All aspects of the school’s organization are child-centered and designed to accommodate individual learning styles so that all students experience success in an interesting, innovative educational setting.

Through the implementation of research based reading strategies in all content areas, all Chestnut Accelerated Middle School students will show growth in reading comprehension as measured by internal and external assessments as well as their progress throughout the curriculum. Built in 1998 with the collaboration of educators, Chestnut Middle School is a beautiful facility which offers many state of the art accommodations enjoyed by our students, staff and the community.

Our building features two computer technology labs and several mobile laptop carts, wireless internet access, an Olympic size swimming pool, a basketball court, 9 full science labs, as well as classrooms specifically designed to support the visual and performing arts. Our school also houses some prestigious programs, inclduing the Talented and Gifted program (TAG) which has now educated our highest achievers for 20 years, Connected Math, Read 180, Sonday Reading, Math intervention and enrichment classes, the National Junior Honor Society, and the English Language Learner program.

We are one of a few schools involved in a mentorship program which pairs Chestnut students with community leaders. Chestnut is also extremely proud of our rich visual and performing arts program including our award winning drama club. Being situated in the North End of Springfield, we enjoy a vibrant partnership with the community and have benefited through the diversity of after-school programs we are able to offer such courses as fit-math and hands on science clubs to salsa classes and theater. These resources and the expertise of our dedicated teachers and community members galvanize student learning and academic achievement.

• • •

German Gerena Community School
Grades: Pre-K - 5
Level: Elementary
Principal, 2010-11: Analida Munera
Address: 200 Birnie Ave., Springfield, MA 01107   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7320
Hours: 8:50 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Enrollment: 726 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

Gerena Community School seeks to promote the positive development of students by establishing high universal performance standards, celebrating family diversity and extending equal respect and support to all members of the school community.

The school community will incorporate the Culture of Achievement plan as the foundation for meeting high expectations for all students. A major focus will be to improve student performance at all levels. Gerena is the only elementary school in Springfield to offer an instrumental music program that provides instruction in keyboards, strings, percussion and wind instruments. Gerena also features a piano lab, a vocal music program and boasts two visual arts teachers who work with students in every grade level, introducing them to the joys of creative artistic expression.

Gerena follows the Montessori curriculum and builds on the continuing self-construction of the child—daily, weekly, yearly—for the duration of the program. Montessori schools are divided into multi-age classrooms—“Children’s House.” The prepared environments introduce an uninterrupted series of learning passages, a continuum in which the role of the teacher is that of a guide or coach, a practice that distinguishes Montessori from other educational approaches.

• • •

High School of Commerce
Grades: 9-12
Level: High
Principal, 2010-11: Paul A. Nycz
Address: 415 State St., Springfield, MA 01105   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7220
Hours: 7:35 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Enrollment: 1,380 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

Here at the High School of Commerce we are a community of learners committed to the core values of our school system: academic excellence, caring and cooperative relationships, respect for human differences, and commitment to community.

We value each student and strive daily to build an atmosphere where voice and intellectual curiosity are not only fostered, but cherished. This goal can only be achieved by collaboration among community, faculty, family and students. The High School of Commerce provides students with the opportunity to master the knowledge and skills needed to select and prepare for careers in law and government, health and medicine, finance and entrepreneurship, as well as the opportunity to pursue an International Baccalaureate Diploma, and become lifelong learners in an ever-changing global society.

At the High School of Commerce we take pride in our longstanding tradition of successfully preparing young people for life as productive citizens as the oldest and longest serving high school in Springfield. We believe that we have the ability to positively change the world and work to do so, one student at a time.

• • •

Homer Street School
Grades: K-5
Level: Elementary
Principal, 2010-11: Linda C. Wilson
Address: 43 Homer St., Springfield, MA 01107   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7526
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Enrollment: 411 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

Homer Street School is building a culture of respect, accountability, and mutual responsibility. As a Commonwealth Pilot School, we take pride in the fact that we have an Elementary/ELL or Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) certified teacher at each grade level, community meetings, a structured advisor/advisee program, intensive, on-site counseling services and a variety of before/after school programs.

Our students participate in two exhibitions during the school year in which they display their work to parents and the community. In order to build a culture that is democratic and collaborative, our autonomy has allowed us to create a Governance Board, an Educational Leadership Team, a Community Building Team, and Student Support Team. The Governance Board establishes school policies.

Our Educational Leadership Team is responsible for making curriculum and instruction decisions for the school, including professional development. The Community Building Team’s responsibilities includes developing protocols for community and advisory meetings and planning events for families in order to align with the vision of the school. Our Student Support provides a safe learning community and structures, develops, and supports classroom and non-classroom learning and supports the implementation of student character development targets.

Homer was selected as a Focus (Focus On Results) school in 2009 and also began the implementation of the Cornerstone literacy initiative. The school has selected its instructional focus and the four strategies we will use to improve reading comprehension skills for all students. Families are encouraged to participate as partners in our school. Parents play an active role in the school’s decision making through participation on the school’s Governing Board.

The school’s Parent Liaison, working with the Community Building Team, plans events and activities designed to foster parent and family involvement and to identify and support the cultural differences among school families. The Homer Street School community works toward bringing all students to proficiency by using data to inform instruction, employing a rigorous standards-based curriculum, and instructional strategies that meet the needs of all learners.

• • •

John F. Kennedy Middle School
Grades: 6-8
Level: Middle
Principal, 2010-11: Bonnie Elliston
Address: 1385 Berkshire Ave., Springfield, MA 01151   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7510
Hours: 8:05 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Enrollment: 639 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

John F. Kennedy Middle School's mission for the 21st Century is to challenge its hard working, collaborative community of dedicated educators and learners to be socially responsible and globally committed to excellence; to educate each child and produce strong literacy skills in order to think and problem solve in today's world.

Our students receive positive reinforcement, stimulating enrichment to think critically and behave ethically. Learning extends beyond the classroom to our 21st Century Community Learning Center where homework help, academic and cultural enrichment programs are offered. All aspects of student/teacher behavior reinforce Kennedy's theme of "respect, consistency, and accountability".

The teachers and administrators at Kennedy Middle School are committed to a common belief that is the foundation for every successful school: Each child can be successful and will receive the rigorous education that they deserve to thrive in our society. The Kennedy faculty and administrators are dedicated to this end. In support of student academic achievement, Kennedy participates in the Brienza after school program, Saturday school program for MCAS preparation, the Read 180 program, one to one curriculum support, and the teacher mentoring KEYS program, to name a few. These programs support our academic achievement by providing focus groups and extra academic help for students in the core areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Some activities that support and recognize the progress at our school include monthly recognitions for perfect attendance, recognizing students of character, honor roll breakfast, monthly teachers’ appreciation breakfast, monthly coffee hour for parents, weekly ILS focus meetings, and professional development for teachers.

• • •

M. Marcus Kiley Middle School
Grades: 6-8
Level: Middle
Principal, 2010-11: Kenneth Luce
Address: 180 Cooley St., Springfield, MA 01128   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7240
Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Enrollment: 841 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

The Mission of M. Marcus Kiley Middle School is to create a challenging learning environment fostering academic excellence and lifelong learning. By providing our students with a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and experience, we will promote the intellectual, creative, and social development of our students.

Our aim is to challenge our middle school learners to become critical thinkers. To this end we provide our students with enrichment opportunities through our 21st Century Community Learning Center that provides homework assistance and cultural enrichment programs and the YMCA School’s Out program that offers after school enrichment and curricular activities.

M. Marcus Kiley Middle School will build a Culture of Achievement in all classrooms that ensures the delivery of educational experiences in which all learners achieve success, become independent thinkers and lifelong learners, and become contributing member of their community, able to meet the challenges of a global society.

• • •

White Street School
Grades: K-5
Level: Elementary
Principal, 2010-11: Deborah P. Lantaigne
Address: 300 White St., Springfield, MA 01108   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7543
Hours: 8:50 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Enrollment: 382 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

Our vision for White Street School is to create a safe and nurturing environment of mutual respect that maximizes the learning of all students and allows them to meet their highest potential. At White Street School we partner with parents and community to develop the whole child academically and socially. To support our students to their highest level of academic achievement, we use data driven instructional practices and a variety of pedagogical strategies.

It is our goal to help all of our students to develop as lifelong learners and productive citizens. White Street School is under new leadership this year and has partnered with Focus on Results to improve both the culture of the school and student achievement. Our instructional focus for this academic year is: A whole school coordinated effort to have all White Street School students get smarter through the implementation of a school wide teaching focus on reading comprehension in all classes.

We will measure our students’ growth via the KRA, DRA, Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System, running records and DBA. In support of this tenacious focus on reading comprehension, our entire school community recites the following school pledge every morning: We are getting smarter at White Street School by focusing on reading comprehension to become better readers, writers, thinkers and computers so that we graduate, communicate, and become more productive citizens in the community.

A visitor to our school will see this pledge and focus visible everywhere in the school as well as school wide and grade level data boards that track our students’ incremental growth toward proficiency. This enables our children to understand their role, responsibility and progress in the learning process.

Our staff, the pioneers of change, is engaged in focused professional development to support our instructional focus. We have identified instructional practices that we are using school wide to ensure that all students will improve their comprehension and understanding of grade level text (Standard 8) by participating in a balanced literacy program of whole and small group instruction (specifically guided reading) that focuses on all components of reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension).

• • •

Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet School
Grades: Pre-K - 8
Level: K-8
Principal, 2010-11: Sandra Wyner Andrew
Address: 474 Armory St., Springfield, MA 01104   [map]
Phone: 413-787-7400
Hours: 8:50 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Enrollment: 471 students
• School website
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Data

Teaching Opportunities

The Zanetti Montessori School offers a rigorous Montessori curriculum making learning relevant to real world experiences based on strong consistent relationships. We provide an integrated program from PreK to 8th grade, fostering independent learning, appropriate choice, differentiated instruction, critical thinking skills, real world application of knowledge, integrated curriculum, peace education, diversity education and a calm learning environment.

Strong relationships are fostered as most teachers have their students for three years. In addition, most of the students have been at the school since the early years and therefore we have a cohesive and stable community. The classrooms are multi-grade, thus forming a family grouping, which encourages peer tutoring, collaborative learning and an individualized curriculum in which students learn at their own level and pace. The groupings are CH (Children’s House: two years of Preschool and Kindergarten), E1 (Lower Elementary:1st, 2nd and 3rd grade), E2 (Upper Elementary: 4th and 5th grade) and our middle school which consists of a 6th grade and a combined 7th and 8th grade. The Montessori curriculum is a continuum, each year building on the skills and knowledge acquired in the year before.

Specific hands on Montessori material is used to teach in all subject areas and the continuity of the curriculum can be seen in these materials. Children who have been consistently in the program have the advantage of being prepared for the advanced work by already being familiar with the materials. Parents are important partners in their children's education and our curriculum encourages a high level of parental involvement. In support of student academic achievement, we offer Read Naturally, Reading Recovery, Soar to Success, and Story Grammar Marker programs.

Real world learning is afforded middle school students with a three day overnight trip to the Farm School. Montessori education is based on peace studies and social justice and therefore the curriculum has a strong social-emotional component. Our social emotional behavioral curriculum utilizes Responsive Classroom, Marshall Rosenberg’s non-violent communication, Montessori Grace and Courtesy, Different but the Same, Second Step, Steps to Respect, and an active peer mediation program. A behavior educator is an integral part of the staffing.

We have received funding from the 21st Century Grant for before and after school enrichment programs, the Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant for a middle school percussion and mentorship program, and Donors Choose whereby many of our teachers have received materials to enhance classroom resources and thus, teaching. Zanetti Montessori School received the Magnet School of Distinction Award in 2008.