By Jerry Filmore

Worcester Public Schools Releases Post-Graduation Destinations for Class of 2026

By Jerry Filmore

WORCESTER, Mass. — The Worcester Public Schools Communications Office has released its official post-graduation report for the Class of 2026, outlining the next steps for nearly 2,000 graduating seniors across the district. The report indicates that graduates are transitioning into a variety of pathways, including two-year and four-year higher education institutions, military enlistment, trade schools, union apprenticeships, and direct entry into the workforce.

The findings cover eight high schools within the district, including Burncoat High School, Claremont Academy, Doherty Memorial High School, the Gerald Creamer Center, North High School, South High Community School, University Park Campus School, and Worcester Technical High School. The broad range of destinations highlights the district’s ongoing role in supplying local higher education institutions and regional industries with qualified graduates.

Higher Education Placements

According to the district’s announcement on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, a substantial number of graduates will remain in Central Massachusetts to attend local higher education institutions. These institutions include Clark University, the College of the Holy Cross, Assumption University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University, and Quinsigamond Community College.

Other graduates from across the district have been accepted into national universities outside the immediate region, including Harvard University, Columbia University, Howard University, Syracuse University, and the University of Michigan.

Military Service and Technical Paths

Beyond higher education, members of the Class of 2026 have enlisted across multiple branches of the United States Armed Forces. The report confirms enlistments in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and the Army National Guard.

Technical and vocational pathways also represent a significant portion of the post-graduation data. Students from various schools are entering specialized training institutions like the Universal Technical Institute, Porter and Chester Institute, and the Peterson School, while others have secured placements in cosmetology programs such as the Rob Roy Academy, Collectiv Academy, and the Cosmix School of Beauty Science.

Workforce and Union Apprenticeships

The data shows a notable concentration of direct-to-career placements and technical partnerships among graduates of Worcester Technical High School. Alumni from the vocational institution are entering employment with major regional and national employers, including General Electric and General Dynamics.

Additionally, graduates are entering formalized union apprenticeship programs across various trades. These placements include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry.

Post-Graduation Destinations by School

Burncoat High School

• Military Service: United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and the Army National Guard.
• Colleges and Universities: Assumption University, Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis University, Bridgewater State University, Brigham Young University Idaho, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Dean College, Eastern University, Emerson College, Endicott College, Fitchburg State University, Florida Atlantic University, Framingham State University, Full Sail University, George Mason University, Ithaca College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, New England University, Nichols College, Northeastern University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Quinnipiac University, Quinsigamond Community College, Regis College, Saint Anselm College, Salem State University, Sarah Lawrence College, Suffolk University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Hartford, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Wellesley College, Westfield State University, Worcester Polytechnic University, and Worcester State University.
• Trade Schools and Career Paths: Cosmix School of Beauty Science, Collectiv Academy, Rob Roy Academy, Porter and Chester Institute, Construction Apprenticeship, and Plumbing Apprenticeship.

Claremont Academy

• Military Service: United States Army and United States Marine Corps.
• Colleges and Universities: BC Messina College, Clark University, Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Quinsigamond Community College, and Suffolk University.
• Trade Schools and Career Paths: Grafton Job Corps.

Doherty Memorial High School

• Military Service: United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Air Force.
• Colleges and Universities: Assumption University, Babson College, Boston College, Boston University, Bridgewater State University, Bucknell University, Centre College, Clark University, Coastal Carolina University, College of the Holy Cross, Columbia College Chicago, Columbia University, Dean College, Eastern University, Emmanuel College, Fitchburg State University, Florida International University, Fordham University, Framingham State University, Full Sail University, Gordon College, Howard University, Johnson and Wales University, Keene State College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Mount Wachusett Community College, Nichols College, Norfolk University, Northeastern University, Olin College of Engineering, Quinsigamond Community College, Regis College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Saint Anselm College, Salem State University, Simmons University, Suffolk University, Temple University, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of New England, University of New Hampshire, University of North Texas at Dallas, University of Rhode Island, University of South Carolina (Columbia), Western Carolina University, Western New England University, Westfield State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Worcester State University.
• Trade Schools and Career Paths: Assabet Valley Technical High School postgraduate programs, Grafton Job Corps, Jupiter Beauty Academy, Peterson School, Porter and Chester Institute trade programs, and Rob Roy Academy in Worcester.

Gerald Creamer Center

• Military Service: United States Marine Corps.
• Colleges and Universities: Assumption University, Johnson and Wales University, Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Quinsigamond Community College.

North High School

• Military Service: United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and the Army National Guard.
• Colleges and Universities: Assumption University, Boston College, Boston University, Bridgewater State University, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Emmanuel College, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Merrimack College, Northeastern University, Quinsigamond Community College, Salem State University, Tufts University, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Western New England University, Westfield State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Worcester State University.
• Trade Schools and Career Paths: Rob Roy Academy, Toni and Guy Hairdressers Academy, Universal Technical Institute, and Job Corps.

South High Community School

• Military Service: United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Navy.
• Colleges and Universities: Assumption University, Baylor University, Boston University, Bridgewater State University, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Drexel University, Emmanuel College, Fairfield University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Gordon College, Hartwick College, Harvard University, Johnson and Wales University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Merrimack College, Mount Holyoke College, Nichols College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Northeastern University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Quinsigamond Community College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Roger Williams University, Salem State University, Simmons University, Smith College, Suffolk University, Syracuse University, Tallahassee State College, Teachers College of San Joaquin, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Michigan, University of Rhode Island, University of Rochester, University of Virginia, Virginia State University, Wellesley College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Western New England University, Westfield State University, William Paterson University, Williams College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Worcester State University.
• Trade Schools and Career Paths: Aviation Academy, Collectiv Academy, Job Corps, Lincoln Technical Institute, Peterson School, Rob Roy Academy, and WyoTech.

University Park Campus School

• Colleges and Universities: Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Columbia University, Fitchburg State University, Quinsigamond Community College, University of Maine Orono, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Worcester State University.
• Trade Schools and Career Paths: Grafton Job Corps.

Worcester Technical High School

• Military Service: United States Air Force.
• Colleges and Universities: Auburn University, Assumption University, Bentley University, Boston University, Bryant University, Clark University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Western New England University, Salve Regina University, and the University of New Haven.
• Trade Schools and Career Paths: Christopher House, General Dynamics, General Electric, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, JC Construction and Services LLC, Lundgren Collision Center, Patrick Motors Volkswagen, Riverlin Animal Hospital, Rob Roy Academy, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Universal Technical Institute, and Wilson Language Training.

🔍 The W.U.W. Verification Box

• Project / Topic: Worcester Public Schools Class of 2026 Post-Graduation Destinations
• Current Status: Official report released by the district on June 23, 2026.
• Key Dates or Decisions: June 23, 2026: Press release published by Worcester Public Schools detailing graduate pathways.
• Estimated Cost (if applicable): Not applicable.
• Timeline (if known): Graduates will transition into post-secondary choices throughout the remainder of 2026.
• Immediate Next Steps: Alumni will enroll in higher education, report to military service, or begin trade apprenticeships and employment.
• Primary Sources: Worcester Public Schools Communications Office official press release.
• What We Do Not Yet Know: Final retention and completion rates for graduates within their chosen academic, military, or career fields.

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