Four Worcester elementary schools have earned state recognition for academic progress, giving Worcester Public Schools more Schools of Recognition than any other district in Massachusetts this year.
Columbus Park, Francis J. McGrath, Midland Street and Worcester Arts Magnet elementary schools were among 56 schools statewide designated as 2026 Schools of Recognition by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The designation recognizes schools that demonstrated significant progress toward accountability targets in English language arts and math while ranking above the 20th percentile of schools statewide.
“A big congratulations to all the educators, school leaders, caregivers and students for their hard work and dedication to learning,” Superintendent Brian E. Allen said in the district’s announcement. “I’m happy for these four schools and I’m hoping we see even more schools earn this honor in the years to come.”
The four Worcester schools posted some of the district’s strongest results in the state accountability system, though their gains varied.
Columbus Park met or exceeded 98% of its targets during the past year, while its overall accountability percentile increased 12 points from last year and 21 points over two years.
McGrath met or exceeded 89% of its 2026 targets, with its accountability percentile climbing 13 points in one year and 21 points over two years.
Worcester Arts Magnet met or exceeded 90% of its targets and increased its accountability percentile by 11 points from last year. Midland Street met or exceeded 70% of its targets and recorded a 10-point increase in its accountability percentile.
“The district provides the vision, curriculum materials, resources, and supports, but the real work is done in the classrooms,” Allen said in the announcement. “Every school is unique. Columbus Park, McGrath, Midland, and Worcester Arts Magnet schools have done tremendous work tailoring their approaches to meet the needs of their students.”
The recognition comes against a more complicated backdrop for the district as a whole. WPS maintained its overall state classification of “not requiring assistance or intervention” in the latest accountability results, with 31 of its 44 schools receiving that designation and 13 classified as “requiring assistance or intervention.”
Twenty-one Worcester schools increased their overall accountability scores from the previous year.
MCAS results, which factor into the state accountability system, showed continued challenges across the district. In grades 3 through 8, 25% of Worcester students met or exceeded expectations in English language arts, down from 26% the previous year, while 24% did so in math, unchanged from 2025. Among 10th-graders, the share meeting or exceeding expectations fell from 33% to 26% in English language arts and from 24% to 20% in math.
WPS also uses the STAR assessment during the school year to track student progress in reading and math. Allen has set a goal of increasing student achievement on that assessment by at least 3 percentage points by June.
At Columbus Park, Principal Lisa Carignan credited the recognition to students, staff and families working together.
“Our success at Columbus Park starts with a deep belief that all students are capable of achieving great things,” Carignan said in the district’s announcement. “We are incredibly proud of our students and staff and grateful for the families and community members who have partnered with us. This accomplishment belongs to all of us.”
Midland Street Principal Tara Dexter said staff members have focused on strengthening instruction, examining student data and working together to respond to individual needs.
“Being named a School of Recognition is a tremendous accomplishment,” Dexter said in the announcement. “We are extremely proud of the growth our students have demonstrated and of what our school community has accomplished together.”
The four schools have marked the designation with celebrations ranging from assemblies and certificates to extra recess. Smiley, the Worcester Red Sox mascot, also made appearances.
For Allen, the recognition offers examples of progress that the district hopes to replicate elsewhere.
