John J. Duggan Academy, Springfield’s Expeditionary Learning Magnet school for students in grades 6-12, announced a strategic partnership with Western New England University in Springfield, MA. at a formal signing on Wednesday, September 6, on the John J. Duggan Academy campus.
What began as ad hoc collaborations spanning a Robotics summer camp to a Mock Trial club run by law students, a book donation program created by a University intern to bolster Duggan’s classroom libraries, to a student-produced anti-bullying video, the partnership between Duggan Academy and Western New England University has been long-standing and very successful.
Michael Calvanese, Duggan Academy Principal said, “These past three years, Duggan Academy has made significant improvement with our middle school program along with introducing a new high school. We are positioned for continual growth. As a Magnet school for Social Justice, we are committed to building upon this growth by working with exceptional partners in our community to bring a wide array of educational perspectives and opportunities to our students”
Last spring, Duggan Academy received the “Magnet Schools of Distinction” award, the second highest merit award given by Magnet Schools of America.
“With Western New England University as our neighbor,” says Calvanese “students at John J. Duggan Academy are finding inspiration for a successful future right next door. We thank Western New England University for their support and commitment.”
“We are fortunate to partner with Western New England University, a school who shares our vision to create learning opportunities outside the school walls,” says Mary Kay Brown, Magnet Administrator who is committed to finding long term sustainable resources for Duggan. “I literally look out the window at the University. It makes so much sense in terms of the logistics for both entities to share resources both physical and human.”
“The partnership between Western New England University and Duggan Academy demonstrates the value of creating a continuum of education,” remarked Dr. Anthony S. Caprio, president, Western New England University. “Duggan Academy students can discover that higher education is a viable option for them and our students can experience serving as role models for the younger students, now and in the future.”
Calvanese and University President Dr. Anthony S. Caprio along with other local and state community leaders formalized this important three-year agreement bridging public secondary education and private higher education designed to help students see how they can take themselves from Duggan to college and beyond.
For more information about the John J. Duggan Academy – Western New England University partnership visit wne.edu/marketing/duggan-partnership.cfm
