Meet our Head of School

I am thrilled and thankful to be leading this exciting and innovative community. I am inspired by our mission to ignite in our students a passion for learning and global leadership. In my years at SCA, I have been privileged to see the positive impact that a combination of a rigorous curriculum and the cultivation of passion and leadership has on our students. I have seen that our graduates are confident and go forth to meet the intellectual, social, and moral challenges that lie ahead, poised not only to do well in life, but also to do good in the world.

The positive impact that our graduates have and will have on their community and the world at large is an enduring testament to our school’s mission, our faculty’s hard work and care, and our parents’ commitment to giving their children the best education available.

I encourage you to get to know us. We are a community of diverse experiences and strong spirits as well as a wonderful group of people. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

John Foley

John Foley, Interim Head of School

Welcome to Springfield

Springfield Commonwealth Academy (SCA) was founded in 1885 on a historical campus that first served as an all-girls school in 1890. After re-opening its doors in 2012, SCA has served as a distinguished, independent college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates. Our urban setting, diverse community, and college preparatory curriculum provides students with a quality private school education.

Explore our School

Located in Springfield Massachusetts, SCA's 20-acre campus in the historic Ames Hill district is home to a small group of scholars who live, learn and excel together. Small classroom sizes and a low student-teacher ratio allows us to provide a very personal and safe learning experience for each individual student.

The faculty and staff do more than just teach; they are also mentors and friends. Outside of class, your favorite teacher or school leader can be found coaching sports or running student-centered clubs, and some even serving as dorm parents.

Boarding students at SCA live in renovated English and Spanish style mansions which were once home to Springfield's wealthiest residents who were industry leaders of their time.

The Springfield Commonwealth Academy community is full of talented, intelligent and highly-driven individuals. We are continuously growing as more of the world's brightest students and teachers join our school family.

Facts and Figures

Welcome to Springfield

105

Total Students

As of 2021-22 Academic Year

9-12, PG

Grades Offered

2012

Established

Colleges and Universities

Within 50-Miles of Campus

Miles from Boston

Acre Urban Campus

Buildings On-Campus

Academic Buildings, Sports and Training Facility, Library, Dining Hall, Dormitories

Memberships and Accreditations

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC)

National Honor Society (NHS)

Official SAT Test Center

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

Top 20 Boarding Schools

Ranked in United States

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Mission

To provide a quality co-ed private school education for students who are bright, talented and interested in attending a college or university

Learn More

Apply Today

Contact Admissions

History

1890

John and Abigail MacDuffie purchased Miss Howard’s School on Union Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. This property included the home of Samuel Bowles, which was transformed into a classroom building know as the Main House.

The school property was then transformed and renamed The MacDuffie School, an all-girls college preparatory school.

1963

At the beginning of World War II, the MacDuffie School was sold to Ralph and Cleminette Rutenber. Rutenber Hall (the school's main classroom and library facility) and Downing Gymnasium (athletic facility) were constructed.

Under the Rutenber's leadership, the school enjoyed its large enrollments in the 1960's and 1970's, reaching 360 boarding and day students from all over the U.S. and abroad.

2011

The MacDuffie property was purchased and then moved from the Springfield location to Granby, Massachusetts.

Five days before graduation in the MacDuffie School's final year in Springfield, the school's campus was devastated by a rare EF3 tornado, causing more than $10 million in damage to the campus. Although there were no injuries, the campus was severely damaged with most of its trees uprooted as well as damage to buildings.