News Summary
The Boston School Committee has voted to close three schools and reconfigure others as part of a long-term educational vision. This initiative aims to optimize resources and adapt to declining student enrollment. Significant changes, including the closure of the Lee Academy Pilot School and two high schools, are set for implementation in the upcoming academic year. The plan prioritizes student transitions and aims to enhance the quality of education across Boston’s neighborhoods.
Boston, MA – The landscape of public education in Boston is continually evolving, driven by a commitment to providing the best possible learning environments for its students. In a recent significant development, the Boston School Committee has enacted strategic changes, voting to close three schools and reconfigure others. These decisions, though challenging, are part of a broader, long-term vision aimed at optimizing educational resources and fostering academic excellence across the city’s neighborhoods.
This initiative underscores a proactive approach to educational administration, seeking to adapt to demographic shifts and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently. By focusing on modernizing facilities and aligning school capacities with current student populations, Boston Public Schools is striving to build a more robust and responsive educational system for the future. The emphasis remains on personal achievement and ensuring every student has access to high-quality choices within their community.
Strategic Adjustments for Academic Growth
In a vote held in mid-December 2025, the Boston School Committee approved a plan to close three public schools and reconfigure grade levels in several others, with the vote passing 6-1. This decision follows a proposal put forth by Superintendent Mary Skipper in November 2025. The schools slated for closure include the Lee Academy Pilot School, a pre-kindergarten to third-grade institution located in Dorchester, and two high schools: Another Course to College in Hyde Park and the Community Academy of Science and Health, also in Dorchester.
Additionally, the plan outlines significant reconfigurations for other facilities. The Henderson K-12 Inclusion School will transition from its current structure to serve students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, discontinuing its high school grades. The Tobin Elementary School will cease to offer seventh and eighth grades, and the William E. Russell School, which currently serves pre-K to fifth grade, will expand to include a sixth grade.
Charting a New Course: The 2027-2028 Vision
These closures and reconfigurations are not immediate; they are scheduled to take effect for the 2027-2028 academic year, with the closures specifically planned for June 30, 2027. This phased implementation provides a structured timeline for students, families, and staff to transition. The district’s rationale behind these changes is multifaceted, stemming from a noticeable decline in student enrollment. Across the United States, and specifically within Boston, enrollment numbers have decreased, with the district reporting a drop from over 53,000 students in 2019 to approximately 46,800 in the current academic year.
Superintendent Skipper attributed this decline in Boston largely to a decrease in international immigration to the district and a lower birthrate within the city, leading to smaller cohorts of students. These strategic adjustments are part of a broader, long-term facilities plan, mandated by a state improvement plan approved in 2022, which aims to reduce the number of public school buildings in Boston by nearly 20% by the end of the decade. This comprehensive approach seeks to ensure efficient resource allocation and modernize the district’s educational infrastructure, laying a foundation for future educational innovation.
Parental Perspectives and Community Engagement
The decision to close and reconfigure schools has generated considerable discussion within the community, with weeks of protests by families and educators preceding the School Committee’s vote. These protests highlighted concerns about the impact on students and the potential disruption to established learning environments. Various local organizations, including the Boston Teachers Union, the Boston Branch of the NAACP, the Boston Education Justice Alliance, the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, and sociad Latina, voiced their opposition, emphasizing the need for robust community involvement in such critical decisions.
The changes will directly impact nearly 850 students from the closing schools, with an additional 1,500 students enrolled in schools undergoing reconfiguration. Acknowledging these concerns, the district has committed to prioritizing students from affected schools in the school assignment process for the 2027-2028 academic year, aiming to mitigate the impact of the transitions. This demonstrates an understanding of the importance of parental choice and stability for students during periods of change.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Classrooms
From the district’s perspective, these strategic decisions are about more than just closing buildings; they are about enhancing the quality of Boston education. Superintendent Skipper emphasized that the goal is to optimize the district to match the student body while offering high-quality choices for all students and families across Boston’s neighborhoods. The aim is to deliver the highest quality student experience and create high-quality seats, focusing on improving facilities and ensuring stronger academic outcomes.
The district is also working to increase programming, including specialized support for special education and multi-lingual learners. This forward-thinking approach seeks to create safe, healthy, and inspiring learning spaces that are equipped to meet the diverse needs of Boston Public Schools students, promoting personal achievement and fostering academic growth in a streamlined environment.
A Pattern of Progress: Broader District Initiatives
It is important to view these recent decisions within the context of ongoing efforts to modernize and improve the Boston Public Schools system. Earlier in 2025, in March, the Boston School Committee approved another set of significant changes. This included the closure of Excel High School in South Boston, Community Academy in Jamaica Plain (distinct from the Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester), Mary Lyon Pilot High School in Brighton, and Paul A. Dever Elementary School in Dorchester.
Additionally, the John Winthrop Elementary School and Roger Clap Elementary School were approved for merger into the Lilla G. Frederick Elementary School in Dorchester. These previous changes were slated to take effect at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Collectively, these actions illustrate a persistent district-wide strategy to address declining enrollment, optimize facilities, and ensure that resources are concentrated to provide the best possible educational experiences for all students in Boston MA schools.
As Boston Public Schools navigates these significant transitions, the continued engagement of parents, educators, and community members remains vital. Supporting local schools through these changes, staying informed about educational policy, and advocating for innovative solutions will ensure that Boston continues to provide a foundation for strong academic growth and successful futures for its youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the Boston School Committee vote on these school closures and reconfigurations?
- The Boston School Committee voted in mid-December 2025.
- Which schools are slated for closure?
- The Lee Academy Pilot School (pre-kindergarten to third grade) in Dorchester, Another Course to College (high school) in Hyde Park, and the Community Academy of Science and Health (high school) in Dorchester are slated for closure.
- When will these school closures and reconfigurations take effect?
- These changes are scheduled to be implemented starting in the 2027-2028 academic year, with the closures specifically planned for June 30, 2027.
- Which schools are undergoing reconfiguration?
- The Henderson K-12 Inclusion School will transition to a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade institution, the Tobin Elementary School will discontinue seventh and eighth grades, and the William E. Russell School will add a sixth grade.
- How many students will be impacted by these changes?
- Nearly 850 students are directly affected by the closures, with an additional 1,500 students in schools undergoing reconfiguration.
- What are the primary reasons for these closures and reconfigurations?
- The reasons include a decline in student enrollment, a trend observed Nationwide and specifically in Boston, and these changes are part of a broader long-term facility strategy aiming to reduce the number of public school buildings by nearly 20% by the end of the decade.
- Will students from closing schools receive priority for reassignment?
- Yes, students from schools facing closure will be prioritized in the school assignment process for the 2027-2028 academic year.
Key Features of Boston School Committee’s Decision
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Vote Date | Mid-December 2025 (6-1 vote) | Local |
| Schools Approved for Closure | Lee Academy Pilot School (Dorchester), Another Course to College (Hyde Park), Community Academy of Science and Health (Dorchester) | Local |
| Effective Date of Changes | 2027-2028 Academic Year (Closures on June 30, 2027) | Local |
| Schools Undergoing Reconfiguration | Henderson K-12 Inclusion School (Pre-K to 8th grade), Tobin Elementary School (discontinuing 7th/8th grades), William E. Russell School (adding 6th grade) | Local |
| Directly Impacted Students (Closures) | Nearly 850 students | Local |
| Impacted Students (Reconfigurations) | Additional 1,500 students | Local |
| Primary Reasons | Declining student enrollment (Nationwide trend), long-term facility strategy to reduce buildings by 20% by 2030 | Nationwide / Local |
| Student Enrollment Decline (Boston) | From over 53,000 in 2019 to approximately 46,800 in current year | Local |
| Student Reassignment | Prioritization for students from affected schools in 2027-2028 academic year | Local |
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Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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