The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S) has awarded Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick the 2023 President’s Award, citing the district’s vast improvements in graduation and dropout rates, among other achievements.
The district’s graduation rate was 56.6 percent when Warwick took the helm in 2012, compared to 84.6 percent today. The dropout rate has been slashed from 10 to 3.9 percent for that same time.
“Dan has been strategic in his use of state and local resources to bring innovative practices into the district. His more innovative leadership style has resulted in significant improvements of opportunity for the children of Springfield,” said M.A.S.S President Dianne Kelly in a recent awards presentation ceremony. “Dan has demonstrated himself as a supportive colleague, champion of children and respected education leader in the Commonwealth.”
Warwick began his career as a special education teacher in Springfield Public Schools more than 40 years ago. His tenure has included teaching in the district’s alternative schools and the distinction of earning national Blue-Ribbon distinction as principal of Glenwood School. In addition to teacher and principal, Warwick has served as assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent, before taking the district leadership role as superintendent.
Under his leadership, student achievement has improved in every student category, including English Language Learners and Special Education; more than $750 million has been invested in building new schools and upgrading existing ones; SPS became the first district in the Commonwealth to offer free universal pre-k to 3 and 4 year olds; the Springfield Conservatory of the Arts, the Springfield Virtual schools were created and launched, and a new Professional Development Center for staff was opened; the district moved to a 1:1 technology model, which greatly eased the shift to remote education during the pandemic; teacher compensation has become its most competitive; the Office of Family and Community Engagement was created; and the district built and opened the Culinary and Nutrition Center, in partnership with Sodexo, where scratch meals are prepared daily for students.
Warwick said he is currently entrenched in the work of his third Strategic Plan, the Portrait of a Graduate, with a focus on re-imagining school so that students are engaged in an education that is rigorous, relevant, and culturally relatable.
“There could never be a more noble profession than teaching, in my opinion,” said Warwick. “In Springfield, we are blessed to have the best educators in the world and, working together, we’ve been able to make great advancements in the best interest of the thousands of students entrusted to our care every day.”
