The Springfield Renaissance School

Schools That Work

The Springfield Renaissance School

Public, Urban

Grades 6-12

Springfield, MA

Colorful banners hanging from the ceilings at Springfield Renaissance School call out seven character traits—friendship, perseverance, responsibility, respect, self-discipline, cultural sensitivity, and courage—that students and staff pledge to adhere to. These “community commitments” provide the foundation for the 6–12 school’s culture and climate, which emphasizes building strong relationships so that students and faculty are supported emotionally and academically. Throughout the school, it’s rare to see teachers lecturing in front of classrooms. Instead, they encourage students to take the lead in their learning with self-directed research or cross-curricular projects, known as expeditions. Though more than half of the diverse study body is economically disadvantaged, the Expeditionary Learning school has proved that setting high expectations and providing social and emotional supports can help any student to excel.

In 2018, 10th-grade students at the school outperformed the state on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests for math and English Language Arts.
The school achieved a college acceptance rate of 100 percent for all students for the last 10 consecutive years, since 2009.
It received the Secondary Magnet School Merit Award of Excellence from Magnet Schools of America in 2017—one of only six recipients in the country.

Students sit at desks at Springfield Renaissance School.

School Culture

Building a School Like a Tight-Knit Family

At Springfield Renaissance School in Massachusetts, strong bonds between teachers and students drive academic success.

Chelsea Sheasley

Communication Skills
How to Set the Stage for Challenging Classroom Discussions
Creating a safer space for students to engage with controversial topics starts with shared norms like “assume best intentions” and “show respect and courage.”
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Bolstering Academic Rigor With Character Development
A schoolwide focus on cultivating traits like self-discipline, courage, and perseverance helps students meet high expectations.
Communication Skills
Building Perspective Through Meaningful Discussion
When they don’t shy away from talking about tough topics, students and teachers gain a deeper understanding of important issues—and each other.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Supporting Personalized Learning Through Advisory
Daily meetings with a consistent "crew" build strong relationships that help students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Putting Students in Charge of Their Learning Journey
By leaving space in their lessons for authentic curiosity to take hold, teachers can enable deeper learning.
Communication Skills
60-Second Strategy: SLANT Listening
A simple strategy encourages students to give their full attention when listening to others.
Communication Skills
Scaffolding Discussion Skills With a Socratic Circle
Students deepen their understanding and build a sense of community by engaging with their peers’ reasoned arguments.