Springfield Public Schools to open day school for students with autism

In the 2013 school year, there were 154 students in classrooms using LINKS curriculum for autism. By the 2025 school year, that number ballooned to 698, far surpassing enrollment in other exceptional learner programs.
Photo credit: Focus Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Public Schools is planning to open a day school for high-needs exceptional learners in fall 2026.

The day school, to be in the Chestnut Middle School, will offer families the option to have their children educated in a setting dedicated to their needs.

Over the past 12 years, enrollment levels among exceptional learners with individualized learning plans have increased by 37%, said Chief of Exceptional Learning and Related Services Marisa McCarthy. Specifically, the enrollment among students diagnosed with autism has risen by 353%. In each of the past five years, the School Department has created more substantially separate classrooms that use LINKS curriculum for students with autism, with a current total of 144 citywide. LINKS is part of the “highly specialized… highly structured” programming that high needs students with autism require.

The schools are running out of space to open more of these classrooms, McCarthy said, and there is a waitlist for out-of-district placements. She said that a day school will better accommodate the large population of students requiring specialized curriculum and instruction. The resources can be focused on a single location, rather than spread across the buildings, and teachers will not need to travel from school to school. And many students who currently travel to costly out-of-district placements may be able to return to the city’s school system.

This year, there are 78 LINKS classrooms for students in elementary school. Pre-K students are spread across 28 LINKS classrooms, while 24 middle school and 14 high school classrooms use the curriculum. School Committee member Denise Hurst asked if there were so few classrooms at the high school level because students are transitioning into integrated classes. But McCarthy said the growth in students with IEPs for autism has been seen among the younger grades and as that cohort ages, the number of dedicated classrooms in secondary school will increase.

Instruction at the day school will adhere to student IEPs and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The program will address students’ academic, social and behavioral needs. Educators will use applied behavior analysis, structured routines, visual supports and assistive technology.
While the immediate need at the K-12 day school is 19 classrooms, the school is designed to accommodate up to 200 students, or about 34 classrooms. Eligibility to attend the school will depend on a comprehensive evaluation. McCarthy said no students will be forced to attend the day school and the city’s other schools will maintain their programs with appropriately licensed special education staff. “We will still have very intensive programs within our other schools,” she said.

School Committee member Gumersindo Gomez asked about what obstacles may need to be overcome before the school is operational. McCarthy said staffing is the largest hurdle. Some existing staff will be consolidated to day school, and the posted positions have received more interest than similar positions in recent years, she said. However, ensuring there are enough qualified educators remains “one of the biggest challenges.”

Gomez suggested the School Department create a pipeline for training as registered behavioral technicians and board-certified behavior analysts. School Committee member LaTonia Monroe Naylor added that families of students with special needs are often “super engaged” and have a level of expertise. McCarthy agreed and said her team is working to encourage people to consider a career path in autistic programming.

Monroe Naylor asked McCarthy how the School Department is getting information about the day school to families. Families of high needs pre-K students are being invited to have an information session to answer whatever questions they may have. McCarthy said a mock classroom will be set up, so families will have a better understanding of what the program will look like in action. A virtual information session will also be available for those who cannot attend in person.