Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District joins 34 other leading school districts as members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools to advance innovation and excellence in education
September 17, 2025 | Spencer, MA – Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District has been accepted into the League of Innovative Schools (The League), a national network of school districts that connects and supports the nation’s most forward-thinking leaders in education. The League is organized by Digital Promise, a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner by bridging solutions across research, practice, and technology.
Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to excellence, innovative vision for learning, key achievements, and collaborative spirit.
The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District (SEBRSD) offers several innovative programs and services focused on preparing students for college and careers. Key initiatives include career technical education, early college programs, and integration of technology and STEAM education across the curriculum.
Career and technical education (CTE)
At David Prouty High School, students can participate in Chapter 74-approved vocational programs that provide hands-on training and career credentials.
Programs offered: Criminal Justice, Early Education and Care, Environmental Science and Sustainability, and Business/Marketing.
Career preparation: These programs prepare students to enter the workforce or continue to higher education with valuable certifications.
9th-grade exploration: All ninth-grade students take part in a half-year exploratory program to learn about different vocational fields before choosing a pathway.
Experiential learning: The district develops partnerships with local businesses to provide job shadowing, co-op, and internship opportunities.
Early college and dual enrollment
In partnership with Worcester State University, the district offers early college programs that allow high school students to earn college credits at no cost to their families.
Designation: David Prouty High School received the Early College Designation from the Early College Joint Committee and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2025.
College pathways: This initiative helps students explore majors, save time and money on their degrees, and increases the likelihood of college persistence, especially for low-income students.
STEAM and technology integration
The SEBRSD has expanded its curriculum to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
Hands-on learning: Students engage in STEAM enrichment programs with hands-on experiences in robotics, coding, and creative arts.
Artificial intelligence (AI): In 2025, the district adopted a policy to integrate generative AI into the K-12 curriculum to enhance communication and task efficiency. It is partnering with MIT's Day of AI team to incorporate the technology.
1:1 technology initiative: Students in grades 3 through 12 have access to a personal laptop or tablet to support digital learning.
Green Ribbon nomination: For its sustainability initiatives, including a master energy plan and environmental education through STEAM, the district was nominated for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program in 2025.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) and wellness
The district emphasizes educating the "whole child" through comprehensive wellness and social-emotional programs.
Staff training: Faculty and staff receive professional development on SEL, trauma-sensitive practices, and de-escalation techniques.
Community connections: Partnerships with organizations like Community Connections, Wachusett CFCE, and Kennedy Donovan Early Intervention support family engagement and student well-being. As a result of their district-wide programs and services, Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District’s Preschool program, known as “Cubs Corner,” is recognized as the 2025 Resiliency Award Recipient as Stephen Desmarais Champion for Kids by the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC).
Military family support: District elementary schools received the Purple Star Award in 2025 for demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
Communication and feedback
The district utilizes innovative methods to gather input from students, families, and staff through a Communication and Community Relations Plan, which anchors the district’s efforts with clear and concise annual district priorities, target audiences, communication channels, service goals, and strategies to meet communication and community service goals. Two key communication channels include, but are not limited to:
ThoughtExchange: This digital platform allows the district to solicit and analyze feedback on various topics to inform its goals and improvements.
Apptegy: The communication platform is the linchpin of an incredibly strong communication program that the district offers, enabling students, families, staff, and the community-at-large to stay engaged and receive district news, events, and updates in a timely manner, thus remaining well-informed.
“The League of Innovative Schools advances new approaches to learning and leadership, helping districts expand opportunities and improve outcomes for students. By joining, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District aims to gain insights, resources, and partnerships that strengthen our innovation efforts and connect us with the nation’s top school districts, accelerating student success,“ said Superintendent of Schools, Paul S. Haughey. “Our district aims to integrate Artificial Intelligence into our future endeavors as a tool and resource that expedites teaching and learning for everyone responsibly,” Superintendent Haughey added, “I speak for everyone within the district when I say, we are honored and privileged to join the League of Innovative Schools and look forward to our work together in the years ahead.”
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D. represents Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District in the League. As a member, he will have access to unique, innovative professional learning opportunities and resources, including:
● cutting-edge technology and innovations;
● unique pilot programs for new learning and teaching models that benefit educators and students;
● continuous learning opportunities, such as year-round learning collaboratives, working groups, implementation cohorts, regional gatherings, and national conferences to build leadership and accelerate transformation;
● regional events, industry conferences, and bi-annual convenings, which feature school visits and deep-dive breakout sessions; and
● networking opportunities with other forward-thinking education leaders from around the country, around key challenges, and generating best practices and resources.
The League of Innovative Schools equips superintendents and district leaders to help shape the future of teaching and learning through hands-on opportunities to collaborate, connect, and learn.
"Education leaders are constantly navigating new challenges, and no one should have to do it alone," said Jillian Doggett, director of network support at Digital Promise. "The League provides superintendents and other district leaders a trusted community where they can share effective strategies, pilot new innovations, and find real-world solutions. It's about collective impact. Together, we're not just innovating; we're shaping the future of public education for students in our districts and across the country."
This year’s 2025-26 cohort of League members is the largest cohort to date, with 35 new district members. The full list of members can be found at digitalpromise.org/districts.
The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District and the other new League members collectively represent 175 districts across 35 states, and expand its cumulative impact to over 4.4 million students served over time.
For more information on the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, visit: digitalpromise.org/league.
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About Your District
The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District (SEBRSD) is a small, rural, regional school district serving the communities of Spencer and East Brookfield, Massachusetts. It provides educational services for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district's mission is to offer dynamic learning opportunities that “inspire, innovate, develop, and support all students to achieve!”
About Digital Promise
Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for each learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale up innovations that empower learners, especially those who have been historically and systematically excluded. Our work is designed so that every learner can engage in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website and follow @digitalpromise for updates.