Boston Public Schools 2017
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Boston Public Schools 2017 oston families are fortunate to have more options for their children’s education than almost anywhere A Guide for in the U. S. — and you will find some of our city’s best and most exciting choices in the Boston Public Schools. From pre-kindergarten through middle school and continuing through high school, our schools Parents and Boffer academic, social, and cultural experiences that receive national recognition. Students Among your many choices are: An extensive kindergarten program, with guaranteed full-day “K2” for all 5-year-olds, more than 2,400 seats for What you need to know 4-year-olds, and extended day schools just for early learners, including a Montessori program. before choosing a A growing number of kindergarten–grade 8 (K–8) programs; as well as innovation, pilot, and in-district charter Boston Public School schools throughout the city, in response to parents’ requests. Schools with programs for talented and gifted students, English Learners, and students with disabilities. What is the Home-Based We have great schools, and we are working harder than ever to make changes so that excellence is in every classroom, School Choice Plan in every school, every single day. As you explore your school options, be sure to visit our schools and classrooms and How, where, and when to talk to our principals, teachers, students, and parents. You may find just what you’re looking for! sign up for school Welcome to Our Schools Boston Public Schools programs and policies e are proud to welcome literature, math, science, and to work on reading and math you to America’s first history. during the school day. Some public school system Most of our schools have schools also provide after school Transportation services —W and one of the best among tutoring. before and/or after the nation’s great cities. As the Important phone school programs, that may All of our schools are parent or guardian of a student include tutoring, homework guided by the values of numbers in our schools, you are our most help, enrichment, and sports. equity, coherence, and important and valued partner in Some schools have longer innovation, in addition to And more! our work to help your child achieve hours to give students extra the priorities developed academic excellence. I invite you time in both academics and by the Boston School to read more about Boston Public electives. We are expanding Committee. A top priority PartnerBPS Schools in the following pages athletic opportunities for is that all schools will provide and, even more important, visit middle school students and rigorous, effective, and engaging Visit PartnerBPS.org to as many of our schools as possible creating new partnerships at curriculum, instruction and learn about the many — especially if you are one of the the elementary level to promote enrichment for all students. thousands of families who will health and wellness. organizations that provide be choosing new schools for your In 2014, we began using a new plan arts school-based services in the children for the coming school year. We are expanding to assign students to school. You opportunities for all students. will learn more about the Home- Boston Public Schools, such Here are a few of the great The BPS Arts Expansion Based student assignment as after-school activities and advantages of choosing the Boston Initiative is working to ensure plan in the following pages. You Public Schools: academic support. that every student in grades will also have many opportunities We have smaller class sizes, K-8 has weekly arts instruction to attend presentations on the Check out PartnerBPS.org comparable to many suburban in school. Each school offers plan, ask questions, and visit the today to: school districts. In kindergarten unique programs, from visual schools on your customized list of through grade 2, the maximum arts and music to dance and choices. We value your feedback on • Learn about partnership class size is just 22 students. theater. the Home-Based plan, which was opportunities available in Technology is a part of daily Our schools have strong, developed in partnership with the community to help students attend every school learning, with an average of focused plans that support one digital device for every four student success in a quality schools closer to home. • Find out how to enroll students and Internet access in rich and diverse course If you are looking for information your child into available every classroom. Boston teachers of study aligned to new on our high schools, be sure to are equipped with state-of- curriculum standards set by pick up a copy of Discover BPS: programs and services the-art laptop computers for the state. More students take High School edition, available • Identify programs that instructional use in the classroom Algebra 1 in grade 8, and we at all Welcome Centers and online to support the district’s goal of have enacted a rigorous literacy at www.bostonpublicschools.org. you would like to see ensuring that all students are program for students in K2 Thank you for choosing the Boston introduced to your school college-ready and success-bound. through grade 5. We also offer Public Schools for your family. We pre-Advanced Placement Parents can keep track of their look forward to exceeding your programs child’s academic progress online, in many expectations and being your partner and our Cyber Safety Campaign middle/K–8 schools to expose in preparing your child for success for students promotes a safe, more students to challenging from kindergarten through high online citizenry in today’s digital college-level material. school and beyond. world. Many students need extra We are fully committed to help to succeed in reading or meeting the needs of our math. Students who are not English Learners. Our EL scoring at the “proficient” level www.bostonpublicschools.org programs help every student on state tests have a learning Tommy Chang, Ed.D. learn English, which helps plan tailored to their particular Superintendent them advance in their study of needs, as well as more time Discover Boston Inside… Public Schools Welcome to Our Schools from Random Numbers ........................6 The Exam Schools ........................9 2017 Superintendent Tommy Chang .....1 “Grandfathering” .........................6 Educational Options ....................9 A publication of the About the Home-Based Wait Lists ......................................6 Family Engagement ....................10 Boston Public Schools School Choice Plan ........................2 Bolling Municipal Building Administrative Assignments ........6 Physical Examinations .................10 2300 Washington St. Map of Boston K-8 Schools ..........3 Transfers .......................................6 School Meals ...............................10 Roxbury, MA 02119 If You Move ..................................7 617-635-9000 School Choice Season ...................4 Homeless Students ......................7 School Uniforms ..........................10 Tommy Chang, Ed.D. Choosing a School: What to Ask ...4 Superintendent Expulsion .....................................7 Attendance Policy .......................10 Who needs to apply for school? ...4 The School Committee of the Transportation ...............................7 Words to Know ...........................10 Where to Register ........................4 City of Boston Transportation for Students Parents’ Rights Under “The Every Michael O’Neill, Chairperson Registration for English Learners .4 with Disabilities ............................7 Student Succeeds Act” ...............11 Hardin Coleman, Vice-chairperson Required Documents ...................4 Jeri Robinson • Regina Robinson Alternative Transportation ...........7 Resources for Families ................11 Alexandra Oliver-Dávila Immunizations ..............................5 Transportation Tips ......................7 Michael Loconto • Dr. Miren Uriarte Completing the Application ........5 BPS Schools at a Glance ........12-13 Keondre McClay, Student Representative Residency Requirement ...............5 Boston Public Schools programs ..8 School Profiles ........................14-27 Discover BPS is intended as a general Kindergarten ................................8 introduction to the Boston Public When to Apply .............................5 Welcome Centers ........................28 “Countdown to Kindergarten” ....8 Schools’ policies and programs. It is not How-When-Where to Register and How does the Boston Public a comprehensive policy manual. Some of English Learners ...........................8 Apply for School (Summary) .......28 the information in these pages may have Schools assign students? ..............5 Special Education and changed since publication. For further Age Requirements for School Sibling Priority ..............................5 Student Services ..........................9 information, call or visit any BPS Welcome Registration .................................28 Center, listed on page 28. Additional Priorities .....................5 Advanced Work Class (AWC) .......9 Produced by the East Boston Assignments .............6 Excellence for All .........................9 School Hot Line ...........................28 Boston Public Schools Communications Office November 2016 ENGLISH: Discover Boston Public Schools is About the Home-Based School available in English, Arabic, Cape Verdean creole, Chinese, French, Haitian creole, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Choice Plan For a copy,