Springfield
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State Law

Massachusetts is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Springfield, MA 01103 Hampden County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 37.1% (data source)
Non-White Students 92.2% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 2026
Massachusetts State Law

School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

Absences may also be permitted for religious education at such times as the school committee may establish; provided, that no public funds shall be appropriated or expended for such education or for transportation incidental thereto; and provided, further, that such time shall be no more than one hour each week.

What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

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Schools in the District (67)
School Step Description Grades Period Signatures
Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Alice B Beal ElementaryStep 0 No Progress 0
Arthur T TalmadgeStep 0 No Progress 0
Balliet Middle SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
BrightwoodStep 0 No Progress 0
Chestnut AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
Chestnut Accelerated Middle School (Talented And Gifted)Step 0 No Progress 0
Conservatory Of The ArtsStep 0 No Progress 0
Daniel B BruntonStep 0 No Progress 0
Early Childhood Education CenterStep 0 No Progress 0
Edward P. Boland SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Elias BrookingsStep 0 No Progress 0
Emergence AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
Forest Park MiddleStep 0 No Progress 0
Frank H FreedmanStep 0 No Progress 0
Frederick HarrisStep 0 No Progress 0
Gateway To College At Holyoke Community CollegeStep 0 No Progress 0
Gateway to College at Springfield Technical Community CollegStep 0 No Progress 0
German Gerena Community SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
GlenwoodStep 0 No Progress 0
Glickman ElementaryStep 0 No Progress 0
High School Of CommerceStep 0 No Progress 0
Hiram L DormanStep 0 No Progress 0
Homer StreetStep 0 No Progress 0
Impact Prep At ChestnutStep 0 No Progress 0
Indian Orchard ElementaryStep 0 No Progress 0
John F Kennedy MiddleStep 0 No Progress 0
John J Duggan MiddleStep 0 No Progress 0
Kensington International SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Kiley AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
Kiley PrepStep 0 No Progress 0
LibertyStep 0 No Progress 0
Liberty Preparatory AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
LincolnStep 0 No Progress 0
Lyceum AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
M Marcus Kiley MiddleStep 0 No Progress 0
Margaret C EllsStep 0 No Progress 0
Mary A. Dryden Veterans Memorial SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Mary M LynchStep 0 No Progress 0
Mary M WalshStep 0 No Progress 0
Mary O PottengerStep 0 No Progress 0
Milton Bradley SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Rebecca M JohnsonStep 0 No Progress 0
Rise Academy At Van SickleStep 0 No Progress 0
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
Samuel BowlesStep 0 No Progress 0
South End Middle SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield Central HighStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield High SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield High School Of Science And TechnologyStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield International Academy At JohnsonStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield International Academy At Sci-TechStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield Public Day Elementary SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield Public Day High SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield Public Day Middle SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield Realization AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
Springfield Vocational AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
Stem Middle AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
Sumner AvenueStep 0 No Progress 0
The Springfield Renaissance School An Expeditionary LearningStep 0 No Progress 0
The Springfield Virtual SchoolStep 0 No Progress 0
Thomas M BallietStep 0 No Progress 0
Van Sickle AcademyStep 0 No Progress 0
WarnerStep 0 No Progress 0
WashingtonStep 0 No Progress 0
White StreetStep 0 No Progress 0
William N. DeberryStep 0 No Progress 0
57 schools not shown
0
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
November 3, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
October 27, 2025
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
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