Dear Worcester Public Schools Families and Staff,
I hope you all had a safe, relaxing, and learning summer! On behalf of all educators and staff in the Worcester Public Schools, we welcome you to the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Back to School Dates:
Monday, August 31: First Day for Grades 1-12
Thursday, September 3: First Day for Preschool and Kindergarten
There’s so much to look forward to in the Worcester Public Schools this year! Here are a few examples:
The Worcester Public Schools just hit a four-year high on STAR reading and math scores.
Our English learners are gaining proficiency at higher rates than in years past, and we’ve expanded Worcester Dual Language Magnet School to eighth grade.
We are opening libraries in seven elementary schools! They are at Quinsigamond, Gates Lane, Belmont Street, Flagg Street, Nelson Place, Norrback Ave, and Worcester Dual Language Magnet schools.
We also offer more middle school sports through support from the Play Ball Foundation.
And we’re taking a stand against racism with the launch of our own Stand Against Racism campaign in collaboration with the YWCA of Central Massachusetts and the Worcester NAACP.
The preparations for the first day of school are in full swing, with staff working throughout the summer to welcome back our families. We thank our school and district staff, facilities, transportation, and nutrition teams for their work in getting our schools ready for the first day of school.
As we start the new school year, let’s lean on our district’s core values of belonging, respect, inclusivity, collaboration, and equity to guide our work ahead.
That collaboration starts with meaningful family and community engagement: We want to hear from you at our public forums on the School Boundary and Quadrant Alignment Project and Burncoat School Building Project to get your input on important decisions that will impact you.
More than anything, I’m excited to visit schools and work collaboratively with our students, staff, and families to make 2026-27 another exceptional school year. In the Worcester Public Schools, we’re taking Vision to Action — leading with purpose and delivering results. Let’s work together to make it the best school year yet!
Sincerely,
Brian E. Allen
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools