The school's namesake is Abby Kelley Foster, a noted 19th-century leader in abolitionist and women's rights movements who resided in Worcester.

The building was equipped with an auditorium, gymnasium (named James Walsh Gym after the head of the board of trustees), Cafeteria and Library.

There was also one building located next to the small field that was turned into a full court gym and is used by the Elementary and Middle School.

Abby Kelley Foster focuses on reading, writing, math and music as key subjects for elementary students to be expanded upon in each grade level.

Algebra, American British Literature, Anatomy and Physiology, Ancient Literature, Art, Visual Arts, Biology, Business Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Civics, Earth Sciences, Forensics, Fundamental Chemistry, Geometry, Global Issues, Health/P.E., History of Film, Latin, Math Studies, Music, 20th-Century Music, Pre Calculus, Psychology, Spanish, Statistics, Technology, World Literature, U.S. History, World History, Writing Workshop For the 2010–11 school year the school was authorized to give International Baccalaureate diplomas to students who enroll in these excelled courses.

The current courses offered in IB are as follows: Theory of Knowledge (required for all diploma students) As of 2007, Abby Kelley Foster shows mixed results in MCAS testing.

[4] Grade 10 testing shows proficiency well below the state average at 43% for English Language Arts and 60% as compared to 71% and 69%, respectively.

[5] According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, both ninth and tenth graders take the test, which will become a graduation requirement in 2010.

[5][6] During the 2006–2007 school year, Abby Kelley Foster participated in the Advanced Placement Program by offering courses in the following areas: Biology, Government & Politics: US and World History.