Announcement From The Board of Trustees
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Abby Kelley stands out in new U.S. News high school rankings
The Worcester charter school ranks 25th in Massachusetts and 557th nationally, while several other Worcester County schools also landed among the state’s stronger performers
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Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School emerged as Worcester’s strongest performer in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s high school rankings, placing 25th among public high schools in Massachusetts and 557th nationally.
The Worcester charter school also ranked second among high schools in the Worcester metropolitan area and 111th nationally among charter high schools, according to U.S. News’s 2026-27 Best High Schools rankings.
Charter schools such as Abby Kelley are included in the overall public high school rankings because they are publicly funded. U.S. News then separately ranks charter schools as a subset of the broader public-school list.
Abby Kelley earned an overall score of 96.9 out of 100 in the rankings. U.S. News reported a 100% graduation rate, with 68% of students taking at least one International Baccalaureate exam and 56% passing at least one.
The school also posted proficiency rates of 64% in mathematics, 75% in reading and 65% in science.
“We are so proud of the dedication our staff and students bring every day,” Acting Executive Director Grace Howard-Donlin said in a statement. “This ranking simply reflects what our community knows—AKFCS is an outstanding choice for families across Central Massachusetts.”
Howard-Donlin credited the school’s academic expectations and staff for the result.
Abby Kelley is the only Worcester school to place among Massachusetts’ top 25 public high schools in the new rankings. Other strong performers from Worcester County include schools in communities such as Westborough, Shrewsbury and Northborough, although their precise 2026-27 positions vary across the state and metro listings.
The rankings cover more than 27,000 public high schools nationwide, with nearly 18,000 receiving numerical rankings. U.S. News evaluates schools using six weighted measures: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.
College readiness carries the greatest weight, at 30%, followed by state assessment proficiency and state assessment performance at 20% each. Underserved student performance, curriculum breadth and graduation rate each account for 10%.
The rankings rely heavily on 2023-24 academic-year data, including state assessments, graduation rates and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate participation and performance.
U.S. News said schools scoring highest were those whose students performed above expectations on state assessments, participated successfully in college-level coursework and graduated at high rates.
Abby Kelley’s strongest showing came in graduation rate, where it tied for first nationally and statewide with a 100% rate. The school also ranked seventh in Massachusetts for state assessment performance.
Its college readiness index was 59.2 out of 100, placing it 50th in Massachusetts in that category.
The school serves 321 students in grades 9 through 12 and has an 11-to-1 student-teacher ratio, according to U.S. News.
Abby Kelley has offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for more than a decade. The school said the program is designed to expose students to rigorous coursework while encouraging global awareness and independent learning.
The school, founded in 1998, serves students from kindergarten through grade 12 and is named for Worcester abolitionist and women’s rights activist Abby Kelley Foster.
Massachusetts as a whole performed strongly in the new rankings. U.S. News reported that the state had the largest share of high schools in the top 25% nationally, at 47%, ahead of New Jersey and Maryland.
Boston Latin School ranked first in Massachusetts and 44th nationally, according to the published state results.
Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at [email protected].
The Worcester Guardian is a nonprofit newsroom serving Central Massachusetts. Help keep independent reporting alive by making a donation today.
Board of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, August 4 at 6:00 p.m. (remote)
Executive Director Transition Update
Executive Director Transition
A Note from the Abby Kelley Nursing Department
A Note from the Abby Kelley Nursing Department
Please be sure that all medical documentation is up to date with the school nurse. This includes Physical Exams, Immunization records, and any changes to medical conditions.
As a reminder, medications cannot be transported by students and do need to be delivered to the nurse by the parent/guardian/designated adult. If the medication is an emergency medication, these medications are required to have a medication order and an action plan. Medication orders and action plans are required by DPH (Department of Public Health) to be renewed at the beginning of each academic year. Medications must be unopened and in the original packaging with a pharmacy label. Medications will not be accepted until all required documentation is received.
Please see the link for clarification. Please contact your school nurse for any questions that you may have. https://www.mass.gov/regulations/105-CMR-21000-the-administration-of-prescription-medications-in-public-and-private
Injuries or illness outside of school hours:
Injuries or illness that take place outside of school hours are the responsibility of families. If your student does become injured or ill outside of school hours, please DO NOT send them to school to be diagnosed by the Nurse. Nurses legally cannot diagnose illnesses/injuries.
Your student will be encouraged to stay in class.
Families should seek medical attention from their primary care doctor or urgent care. Abby Kelley does not have a school-based health center and is unable to diagnose.
Now that Spring seasonal allergies are on the rise, there is no real “cure” for seasonal allergies, but it is possible to relieve some of the symptoms using at home interventions.
Some symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy and/ or runny nose
- Scratchy and/ or sore throat
- Dry cough
- Itchy and watery eyes, gritty feeling in eyes or feelings of sand in eyes, redness, puffy eyelids, and dark circles under eyes
- Itchy skin
What you can do about seasonal allergies:
When we are outside, pollen circulates through the air and lands on our bodies. It can be in our hair, skin, eyes, mouth and nose. Have your child wash their hands and face or shower and change clothes after being outside.
Treatment for Itchy, Watery, Red and Burning Eyes:
Splash eyes with water and apply wet cloth to their eyes.
Check with your child’s doctor regarding appropriate oral allergy medications and allergy eye drops for these symptoms to be given at home.
Treatment for Itchy Skin:
The skin can respond to pollen with symptoms of small, fine bumps, itching, redness, and hives. Check with your child’s doctor regarding appropriate oral and topical allergy medications for these symptoms to be given at home.
Asthma and Seasonal Allergies Symptoms: Check with your child’s doctor regarding treatment.
It is recommended that 24 hour medications like Zytec are given prior to bed, as this would assist your student waking up with minimal allergy symptoms versus having to try to catch up with the existing symptoms in the morning. Benadryl is not recommended prior to starting the school day as it would make for a drowsy/ sleepy day.
Please remember that some of the classrooms will have their windows open when the temperatures allow. Students do go outside for recess and as well as PE.
The Nursing department does not have the ability to treat or administer seasonal allergy or cough medications, so it is very important that if needed, these medications are being given at home.
If seasonal allergies are bothersome throughout the school day, students will be encouraged to remain in class. They will also be encouraged to wash their face and hands, blow their nose, hydrate and can be offered cool wet paper towels for comfort if needed.
As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
Nurse Melissa
Message from Elementary School Principal
Dear Abby Kelley Elementary School Community,
I am thrilled and deeply honored to be joining the AKF Elementary community. From the moment I began learning about this amazing school, it was clear that AKF is a place where relationships with families are cherished, students are known and valued and character matters. Building character has always been one of my foundational beliefs as an educator. Persistence in learning, creative problem solving, and kindness are values that have been woven throughout my entire career, and I am excited to continue that work alongside you in providing excellence in education.
I come to AKF with over 20 years of experience as an educator, having taught students in kindergarten through fifth grade and served in school and district leadership roles across Massachusetts. Most recently, I have served as an Assistant Principal as well as a Co-Principal in preschool through elementary settings, supporting diverse school communities with strong multilingual programs, inclusive special education services, and a focus on both academic growth and social-emotional well-being. Throughout my career, I have partnered closely with teachers, staff, and families to strengthen instructional practices, support multilingual learners, design meaningful intervention systems, and create safe, supportive learning environments grounded in trauma-informed and restorative practices. At the heart of my work is a belief that every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and challenged, and that strong collaboration between school and home is essential to student success.
I am truly excited to get to know the AKF students, families, and staff and to learn from the traditions and strengths that already make this school such a special place. I look forward to listening, building relationships, and working together to support the growth of every child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Thank you for welcoming me into your community. I cannot wait to begin this journey with you.
Warmly,
Anne Duke
‘She’s the best leader I’ve had’: Abby Kelley’s Akintan sets tone for Bears
HIGH SCHOOL
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Feb. 2, 2026, 5:07 a.m. ET
WORCESTER – After the Abby Kelley Foster girls’ basketball team took a tough loss at David Prouty last month and went through the post-game handshake line, one of the referees called Bears coach Brian Morse aside to praise his senior captain Layomi Akintan.
“It had nothing to do with the 14 points she scored,” Morse said. “It was all about her leadership. (The referee) said, ‘I’ve seen a lot of basketball this year and a lot of players, and she stands out because of the way she handles things and goes about things and the manner in which she is positive with everybody no matter what the situation is.’
“She’s the best leader I’ve had,” Morse said, “and a fantastic captain.”
Morse calls Akintan an “all-around star,” and that is not an exaggeration.
In addition to playing basketball, Akintan is class historian, president of the media team, National Honor Society president, a member of the dance team, the Black student union, the future health leaders club and youth against homelessness initiative. She plays saxophone in the school band and she handles social media for her church, Redeemed Christian Church of God.Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
All of these activities are on top of her rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) class schedule. IB is an internationally recognized two-year pre-university curriculum that focuses on critical thinking, academic research and holistic development.
“Growing up,” Akintan, who has a younger sister and brother, said, “we had to be very well rounded. My parents (Margaret and Dee) said, ‘Try all these things and find something you like.’”
Akintan liked everything.
“It requires a lot of time management,” she said, “but my parents help me. They are on top of me.”
When Akintan was in sixth grade, her mother encouraged her to start thinking about what career she would like to pursue. At the same time, Akintan’s grandmother passed away after battling cancer. Akintan decided she wanted to become a doctor, specifically a pediatric oncologist.
Akintan will study pre-med in college. She is waiting to hear back from her two top schools, Brown University and Emory University.
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Akintan asked Morse to write a recommendation for her Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship application.
“It was an easy one to write,” Morse said.
Akintan, who grew up in Worcester and now lives in Rutland, has attended Abby Kelley Foster since kindergarten.
“We have such a tight-knit community,” she said. “I’ve been with these people for 13 years of my life.”
Over the last two seasons, Akintan has come into her own on the basketball court, but she has always been a Bears contributor.
“Playing Abby Kelley basketball all these years, I looked up to all the people above me and realized, ‘I want to be there one day. I want to lead the team,’” Akintan said. “I didn’t start consistently scoring until my junior year. The other years I tried to do anything else I could because the scoring wasn’t coming naturally to me. I found that helping the other girls more, trying to uplift them, that also brought me fulfillment, too, because I’m still helping the team in other ways. The scoring came later on.”
With the help of Akintan’s leadership, the Bears (9-5) are seeking a third straight Division 5 state tournament berth.
“I had a conversation with our juniors this week,” Morse said. “I said, ‘With Layomi’s leadership, we’ve taken another step. She’s showing you to do the right things. It’s your responsibility next year when you’re seniors to take those things to the next group.
“Layomi is a real leader,” Morse said. “She’s not a leader only when things are easy; she’s a leader when things are hard. She’s still front and center when she makes a mistake and says, ‘That’s on me.’ When you have people who are as selfless as she is and who holds everyone to the same standard – and she holds herself to the highest standard – it lifts everyone else to that level.”
Getting to know Layomi
Favorite food: Any type of pasta
Favorite sports team: Los Angeles Lakers
Favorite athlete: LeBron James
Favorite subject in school: Biology
Favorite social media follow: Jayla Brenae (lifestyle and family content creator) on Instagram
Favorite hype song: Any rap song
Favorite movie: “Black Panther”
‒Contact Jennifer Toland at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
Buddy system: Abby Kelley Foster school pairs seniors, kindergartners
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Dec. 20, 2025, 10:17 a.m. ET
WORCESTER — Seniors at Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School made the short walk from their high school building to the elementary school for an annual event that paired them as “buddies” with kindergartners for a season-themed craft.
The event, on Friday, Dec. 19, meant to “foster a sense of school community” did just that for senior Stella Dunham, herself a student at Abby Kelley since kindergarten.
Dunham shared that she has friends who go to larger schools and don’t know everyone in their grade. She appreciates how close-knit her school is.
“I’ve known everyone since kindergarten. It’s a very small community. You know everyone in your class,” Dunham said.
Keysha Garshong, another senior, had also been at the school since kindergarten.
Paired with elementary students, McKenzie Cabral and Adonis Clarke, Garshong walked them through the craft that organizer of the event, teacher Laura Russell, had earlier shown to seniors.
Seniors wrote kindergartners letters beforehand that they were able to read while paired up with them.
“I like seeing all the classrooms. There’s so many different fun things going on. It’s fun to see,” Garshong said as she worked with her two kindergarten buddies, asking them questions like “What’s your favorite color?”
The event, which is in its third year, according to Executive Director Heidi Paluk, helps lead up to senior stroll at the end of the school year, where graduating students will walk through the kindergarten hallway in their cap and gown.
Events throughout the year help get seniors excited for the senior stroll.
“It’s definitely fun to be back. It’s crazy, I can’t believe I was ever this little,” said senior Mameya Owusu, sitting in a kindergartner-sized chair, cutting paper for buddy Adelina Favila.
Dunham was also excited, saying, “It’s fun seeing the teachers we used to have. It’s so nostalgic. It’s so cute. I’m glad we do this.”
Seniors and their kindergarten buddies will have other activities planned throughout the school year for seniors to “mentor and pass on this new school tradition to the next generation of students.”