BPS Celebrates Superintendent Mary Skipper as 2026 Pinnacle Award Honoree

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women's Network selected Superintendent Mary Skipper as one of the 2026 Pinnacle Awards honorees.

Boston Public Schools Celebrates Superintendent Mary Skipper as 2026 Pinnacle Award Honoree

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 5, 2025 -The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women's Network selected Superintendent Mary Skipper as one of the 2026 Pinnacle Awards honorees for Achievement in Management – Government. The annual Pinnacle Awards are one of the region's highest professional distinctions for women leaders, recognizing their achievements in business, government, and management. This prestigious award recognizes Superintendent Skipper's leadership and her commitment to building a stronger, more equitable school district for Boston's students, families, and educators.

"It is an honor to be recognized alongside so many remarkable women leaders who are shaping the future of our region," said Superintendent Mary Skipper. "It takes a village to support our school communities and this award reflects the dedication of our educators, staff, families, and partners who work every day to uplift our students. Boston's youth deserve the very best and I am proud to lead a district of talented leaders and educators who are deeply committed to their success."

Since her selection by the Boston School Committee in 2022, Superintendent Skipper has championed transformative initiatives to modernize school facilities, expand multilingual education, strengthen pathways from school to career, and ensure that every student receives a high-quality education in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment.

Superintendent Sipper will be recognized at the 2026 Pinnacle Awards Ceremony on January 30, 2026, where more than 1,200 business, civic, and community leaders will gather to celebrate this year's honorees.

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About Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 48,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 121 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary

teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

About the Chamber’s Women’s Network

In the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Network, there is a diverse group of more than 3,000 women and male allies at all levels of their careers, from all backgrounds, sectors, and industries, and professions, with the collective mission to make Greater Boston the best place for professional women to thrive. For 30 years, the Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all backgrounds and career levels. The Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women.

About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is the convener, voice, and advocate of the region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.

Completed Projects

Boston Public Schools is proud to share the progress we are making toward our collective vision of ensuring that every BPS student has access to a high-quality student experience.Over the last three years, we have completed three new schools and three major renovations, and are in the early stages of the MSBA process to build two additional new schools. Work is ongoing and we are committed to continuing to work toward building an ecosystem of schools that ensures every BPS student has access to a building that supports a high-quality student experience close to home.

Boston Arts Academy

Project History

School Highlights

Additional Resources

Carter School

Project History

This fall, we officially opened the doors of the newly completed Carter School building to staff and students! The students have made a seamless transition from the Frederick building to their new, state-of-the-art facility. In partnership with the City of Boston, we hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 26. Over 150 people from the City, the District, the State, and both the school and neighborhood community attended.Thank you to everyone who supported this project and the community, and for attending the ribbon cutting ceremony. For photos of the event, please visit the Mayor’s Office Flickr link here.

School Highlights

An onsite, zero-entry pool that creates a supportive, low-gravity environment for aquatic therapy, helping students build strength, improve mobility, and enhance overall well-being
The purpose-built half-court gymnasium, which provides space for adapted physical education and community gatherings, fostering both physical development and social engagement
A full roofdeck with inclusive activities like a wheelchair trampoline, wheelchair and accessible swings, a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, a self-sustaining garden, and a variety of musical and sound-making infrastructure
Elevators built to accommodate up to five wheelchairs or several rolling beds
Dedicated space for therapeutic programs and vocational training

Additional Resources

Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Project History

We proposed $41.6 million in the FY24 Capital Plan to support major renovations to the Edwards building in Charlestown. The renovated building is serving as the new home for the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HMS) community as well as the early childhood grades of the Warren-Prescott school. We will continue to explore alternative long-term site options across Boston. The renovated building opened to students and staff in Fall 2024.

School Highlights

Additional Resources

Josiah Quincy Upper School

Project History

The new Josiah Quincy Upper School, located in Chinatown at 900 Washington Street, Boston, MA 021111, opened to students and staff in Fall 2024. The $193 million state-of-the-art facility serves students in grades 7-12 and was supported by the City of Boston and the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Since its official opening, the JQUS has hosted numerous school and community events, serving as a true hub for Boston.

School Highlights

LEED Platinum Certification

On March 12, 2025, the District was notified that JQUS achieved the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. This designation reflects our collective commitment and efforts to building sustainable schools. This is an incredible accomplishment as JQUS is one of only four LEED Platinum certified schools in Massachusetts, one of only three that are LEED Version 4 Platinum certified, and is one of only eight schools in the United States that are LEED v4 Platinum certified.

Facility Features

Six-story facility can accommodate 650 students
A rooftop outdoor classroom and activity complex
A media center
Athletic and fitness areas
A black box theater
Auditorium and cafeteria
Other learning and administrative spaces

On Thursday, October 30, at the 2025 Green Building Showcase Josiah Quincy Upper School won:

The Green Building of the Year Award
The People's Choice Award

Additional Resources

PJ Kennedy School

Project History

School Highlights

Improved Accessibility - A new, ADA accessible entryway for the school, shifting the address from Saratoga St to 242 Bennington St
New & Improved Outdoor Spaces - A reconstructed and expanded playground, with new trees, plantings, and a space for a school garden
New elevator - A four-stop elevator connecting the school community and making it easier to go around the building
Improved Indoor Spaces - New windows and air conditioning units in every classroom and space in the building
Renovated Interior Spaces - With new furniture and rugs
Expanded Kindergarten Space- With a reconstructed music room
Improved School Safety - Upgraded lighting and security cameras

Additional Resources

Sarah Roberts Elementary School

Project History

School Highlights

New Indoor Spaces - Expanded administrative suite, a new media center, Cummins Hwy lobby, and an additional elevator
New & Improved Outdoor Spaces - A new PreK playground, an accessible playground, an outdoor classroom, a new track around an open field, and an outdoor basketball court
New Spaces for Bikes - Numerous bike racks in front of the Cummins Hwy and Hawthorne St sides of the building, as well as an indoor bike storage room
Updated Classrooms & Kindergarten Spaces - With specialized STEM and music rooms
Safety Enhancements - Vehicle and pedestrian traffic safety improvements

Additional Resources

City of Boston

CONTACT

Capital Planning Department

capitalplanning@bostonpublicschools.org