Saved Schools

High School of Commerce

High School of Commerce, nominated by NewSchools Venture Fund, is a high school in Springfield, Massachusetts, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily urban area.

Location Springfield, Massachusetts

Governance Public District School

Grades High

Students 804

Locale Urban

Chief of School Innovation Kelley Gangi

Demographics

Percentage of students*

10%

English Learners

83%

Free/Reduced Lunch

32%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 19%

American Indian/Alaska Native

Asian 1%

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino 70%

White 7%

2+ Races

Why High School of Commerce was nominated

The Mission of the High School of Commerce is to cultivate an inclusive environment free from racism which empowers student-voice, values academic success, and encourages the development of mutually respectful and caring relationships among all members of our learning community. Teachers, scholars, families, and community stakeholders will work collaboratively to engage in practices that develop a passion for lifelong learning and self advocacy.

Student experience design

In our system of early college high schools within the Family of Commerce Schools, every student chooses a degree-bearing college pathway in ninth grade. These pathways position students to pursue high-wage, high-demand industries in the region. Students graduate with up to 60 college credits toward a bachelor’s degree, advancing opportunities for continuing education while reducing debt for families.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Anti-racist Practices

5+ years

College Advising & Support

1-2 years

Early College High School

5+ years

Higher Education Partnerships

5+ years

Industry-aligned Learning Pathways

3-4 years

All Practices

AI-assisted Tutoring

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Career Advising & Support

Career Exploration

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Competency/mastery-based Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Industry-recognized Credentials

Internships

Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies

Individual Learning Paths

Micro-credentials And Badging

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Industry Networking

No Tracked Classes

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating

Address systemic inequities

Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools

Respond to stakeholder demand or advocacy

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.