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.

Department of Early Childhood

The Boston Public Schools Department of Early Childhood oversees grades pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) to second (2nd) at Boston Public Schools. It also offers additional programming for children aged 0 to 5 outside of the district’s schools, through Boston Pre-K, Boston Saves and Countdown to Kindergarten.

About Us

Boston Pre-K

Boston Pre-K (previously known as UPK) is a high-quality, public pre-kindergarten program for Boston families, funded and administered by Boston Public Schools.

Designed for children ages 3 and 4, this program offers a diverse portfolio of options, including Boston Public Schools, community-based organizations, independent schools, and family child care providers.

Boston
Pre-K

Boston Saves

Boston Saves is a children’s savings account program that helps families of BPS students save and plan for their children’s college or career training from K2 kindergarten onward. Through Boston Saves, every K2 kindergartner in BPS gets an account with $50 for their future college or career training.

Boston
Saves

Countdown to Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten engages families, educators, and the community in a citywide effort to enhance early learning opportunities and to support successful transition into kindergarten.

Countdown’s programs and activities create a continuum of services that support families from birth through kindergarten entry in the City of Boston.

Countdown to
Kindergarten

Focus Curriculum

The Focus Curriculum is a nationally acclaimed Pre-K through 2nd grade aligned curriculum created and maintained by the BPS Department of Early Childhood, designed to prepare children for long-term academic and life success.

Focus curriculum for
families

Focus curriculum for Educators

Summer Early Focus

Boston Public Schools (BPS) takes the lead on summer learning with Summer Early Focus, a 5-week summer program designed by the BPS Department of Early Childhood. Summer Early Focus is open to Boston students entering pre-k (K0 and K1) through third grade in the upcoming school year.

Summer Early
Focus