Memorial School Named School of Recognition by DESE
Published on October 01, 2025
West Springfield, MA: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has named Memorial Elementary School a 2025 School of Recognition, one of only 55 schools across the Commonwealth to earn this prestigious designation.
Schools of Recognition are selected for their progress toward annual accountability targets, with a strong emphasis on improved student achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Memorial Elementary School demonstrated significant gains in multiple areas, including achievement, student growth, and chronic absenteeism.
Last year, 69 percent of Memorial students made substantial progress toward their accountability targets, and the school earned 85 percent of available percentage points, a dramatic increase from 46 percent in 2023-2024 school year. The school exceeded its set targets in both math and ELA and improved its science achievement score. Student growth also stood out, with an ELA mean Student Growth Percentile (SGP) of 53.5 and a math mean SGP of 66, far above the state’s expected growth rate of 50. Hispanic students achieved an even higher math SGP of 70.7.
Memorial School also made meaningful progress in reducing absenteeism. The chronic absenteeism rate decreased from 21.2 percent in 2023-2024 to 17.2 percent in 2024-2025, surpassing the state’s target. Among students with disabilities, absenteeism fell even more significantly, dropping from 32.1 percent to 18 percent.
These results reflect the impact of several schoolwide changes during the 2024–2025 school year. A new administrative team and strategic staffing shifts provided a strong foundation for change, while the introduction of a Foundational Math Skills and Intervention Program strengthened core instruction. Retired educators returned to provide additional support, ensuring all students had access to grade-level curriculum. A robust attendance initiative improved communication and partnerships with families, and targeted collaboration time allowed staff to align instruction and interventions more effectively.
“Memorial’s recognition is a direct reflection of the investments we have made in our schools,” said Mayor Will Reichelt. “By supporting our educators, strengthening programs, and ensuring students have access to the resources they need, we are seeing meaningful progress across the district. This honor is a credit to the dedication of the Memorial staff, students, and families who worked together to make this achievement possible.”
This marks the second West Springfield school to earn DESE’s School of Recognition designation in two years. Fausey Elementary School received the honor in September 2023.
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