Pictured above: Students at Columbus Park Elementary School.
WORCESTER – Friday, October 2, 2026 – Students, staff, and caregivers at four Worcester public schools are celebrating being named 2026 Schools of Recognition for demonstrating significant progress toward accountability targets in English language arts and math, along with being above the 20th percentile of schools statewide.
Columbus Park, Midland Street, Francis J. McGrath, and Worcester Arts Magnet elementary schools were all named Schools of Recognition.
Worcester Public Schools (WPS) earned more School of Recognition designations than any other district in Massachusetts. Only 56 schools in the Commonwealth received the designation from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Students and staff at Midland Street Elementary School pose for a photo to celebrate achieving "2026 School of Recognition" status.
“A big congratulations to all the educators, school leaders, caregivers and students for their hard work and dedication to learning,” said WPS Superintendent Brian E. Allen. “I’m happy for these four schools and I’m hoping we see even more schools earn this honor in the years to come.”
Columbus Park Elementary School in the South Quadrant met or exceeded 98% of its targets in the past year. Its overall accountability percentile grew by 12 points since last year and 21 points over the past two years.
Francis J. McGrath Elementary School in the Burncoat Quadrant met or exceeded 89% of its targets in 2026. Its overall accountability percentile increased by 13 points since last year and 21 points over the past two years.
Midland Street Elementary School in the Doherty Quadrant met or exceeded 70% of its targets this year. Its overall accountability percentile increased 10 points since last year.
Worcester Arts Magnet School in the Burncoat Quadrant met or exceeded 90% of its targets this year. Its overall accountability percentile increased 11 points since last year.
“The district provides the vision, curriculum materials, resources, and supports, but the real work is done in the classrooms,” Allen said. “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.”
Aside from MCAS, the district uses the STAR assessment throughout the year to understand student comprehension in reading and math. WPS students have shown continuous progress on STAR since 2022. One of Superintendent Allen’s goals for the school year is to increase achievement by at least three percent by June.
All four schools celebrated with students for their hard work since DESE released its annual accountability data for schools and districts statewide on September 22. Celebrations included extra recess time, special awards, assemblies, certificates of achievement, and celebrations that included visits from Smiley of the WooSox.
Quote from Lisa Carignan, Principal of Columbus Park School
“Our success at Columbus Park starts with a deep belief that all students are capable of achieving great things,” Carignan said. “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.”
Quote from Tara Dexter, Principal of Midland Street School
“Being named a School of Recognition is a tremendous accomplishment,” Dexter said. “We are extremely proud of the growth our students have demonstrated and of what our school community has accomplished together. Our staff have been intentional about strengthening instruction, using data to understand and respond to student needs, and collaborating to provide the support our students need to grow. Our students have continued to show tremendous effort, resilience, and determination. Their growth would not be possible without the support of our caregivers and the commitment of our entire school community.”
Quote from Mary Ellen Scanlon, Principal of Worcester Arts Magnet School
“We are really proud of this recognition,” Scanlon said. “It is a reflection of the dedication of our faculty, our students, and our families. Our faculty brings a strong commitment to our students every day, and our families are such important partners in that work. To have this shared accomplishment recognized by the DESE is something our entire Worcester Arts Magnet School community can be proud of.”
Quote from Emily Kokansky, Former Acting Principal of McGrath Elementary School
“I am incredibly proud of the students and staff at McGrath for earning this recognition,” said Kokansky, who was McGrath’s principal last year and is currently the Principal of Belmont Street School. “This achievement reflects the strong collaboration among our staff, a shared commitment to student success, and the intentional use of data to strengthen instruction and provide every student with opportunities to grow.”
Quote from Erin Derr, Current Principal of McGrath Elementary School
“I feel incredibly fortunate to step into a community where dedication to student success is evident in every hallway and classroom,” Derr said. “In my short time here, it’s been clear that the students, staff, and families at McGrath share an unwavering commitment to learning and supporting one another. This well-deserved state recognition is a direct result of our teachers' continuous focus on data-driven instruction, strong student engagement, and the deep, collaborative partnership we have with our families. I am honored to join the McGrath team at such an exciting time, and I look forward to building on this incredible momentum as we continue to grow and achieve even higher goals together.”
Media Contact:
Dan O’Brien, Chief Communications Officer
Worcester Public Schools