Wagner named executive director at Springfield Prep

Meghan Wagner takes the reins as Springfield Prep Charter School’s new executive director.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Prep Charter School has a new executive director, but she may look familiar to students and staff.

After Springfield Prep’s founder and former executive director, Bill Spirer, announced in fall 2025 that he would be leaving the position, the school’s Board of Trustees searched for a replacement, but did not have to look far.

Meghan Wagner, Springfield Prep’s chief financial officer and chief operations officer of 10 years, stepped into the top job on April 1.

Spirer lent Wagner his full confidence, saying in a press release about the change in leadership, “The school would not be where it is today without her profound impact, and I am eager to see Springfield Prep thrive under her leadership.”

Wagner began her career at Achievement First Hartford Academy, a charter school in Hartford, Connecticut. While there, she worked to build the program, which now includes Achievement First Hartford Summit Middle School and Achievement First Hartford High School. She said she was excited to join Springfield Prep, which had only been open for about a year, and bring with her the lessons she had learned in Hartford.

Wagner said she was never particularly interested in working in traditional public schools. “I’m really intrigued by the opportunity to think about alternative treatments for education,” she said. “Some of these different models, we’re able to pivot and meet students’ needs in different ways.”

At Springfield Prep, she explained, there are two teachers in each class, providing more support for students and more collaboration for educators. The K-8 school has longer-than-average days Monday through Thursday and a shorter Friday to facilitate routine professional development, something not seen in most public school systems.

Another aspect of Springfield Prep’s uniqueness is the fledgling alumni support program, something Wagner is particularly excited to oversee and grow. There are three classes of students who have graduated from the eighth grade at Springfield Prep. The alumni program is working to support those students that are now in high school and may soon be moving into post-secondary education. Wagner said Springfield Prep recently hosted a well-attended college panel for alumni and their families to ask questions and learn about college options.

Wagner said Springfield Prep is a special school that she “deeply cares about.” She said, “It’s about the people, but it’s also a deep belief in the mission, which is to expand access for students in the Springfield community. I’m really excited to continue supporting them.”