DESE School of Recognition

Announced: October 16, 2026

Bay Path is the only voc-tech in Massachusetts to receive the distinction, and among 56 statewide honored for academic gains, 98.9% graduation rate and zero dropouts.

 

CHARLTON, Mass. – Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School is the only regional vocational technical school in Massachusetts named a 2026 School of Recognition by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The annual honor goes to a small group of schools for progress toward state accountability targets, especially improved achievement in English language arts and math. This year, 56 public schools statewide made the list.

Bay Path met 60% of its state accountability targets this year, up from 49% in 2025. That moved the school into DESE’s "substantial progress” category and placed it in the 76th percentile of Massachusetts high schools. The gains came while Bay Path’s roughly 1,200 students also trained across 23 vocational programs. The students come from Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, North Brookfield, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer and Webster. Bay Path is the only school from those ten towns on this year’s list.

“As a school community we are very proud of this accomplishment,” said Kyle Brenner, Superintendent/Director. “Over the past several years, we have been intentional about building strong systems of learning. We’ve raised academic rigor, strengthened curriculum and instruction, and brought our academic and vocational programs into closer alignment. This recognition reflects the work of our entire school community.”

Bay Path students demonstrated measurable academic growth in the following areas:

  • English Language Arts achievement increased 3.4 points.

  • Mathematics achievement increased 3.8 points.

  • English Language Arts growth exceeded typical growth.

  • Mathematics growth exceeded typical growth.

  • Four-year graduation reached 98.9%.

  • The annual dropout rate was 0%.

  • Chronic absenteeism decreased from 11.1% to 10.2%.

“These numbers represent real progress for our students,” said Dean Packard, Bay Path principal. “This is what happens when educators collaborate around student needs, when students take ownership of their learning, and when adults across our building refuse to settle for what was good enough yesterday.”

Here is more information about Massachusetts’ School and District Accountability System, and Bay Path’s 2026 Official Accountability Report.

About Bay Path

Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School prepares students for both college and careers through a rigorous blend of academic coursework and hands-on technical training. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Bay Path serves ten Southern Worcester County communities: Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, North Brookfield, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, and Webster. Opening in 1972 atop Muggett Hill, the school has spent more than five decades offering 23 career areas alongside its academic program.