By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, Boston Public Schools will close seven schools.
The vote to shut down these schools was passed at two Boston School Committee meetings: one in March 2025 and the other in December 2025. The list of schools closing includes the Community Academy, Dever Elementary School, Excel High School, Mary Lyon Pilot High School, Lee Academy Pilot School, Another Course to College and the Community Academy of Science and Health.
These closures primarily stem from a decrease of enrollment in BPS, as well as the deteriorating conditions of school buildings. From 2007 to 2023, BPS saw enrollment plunge by 13.2 percent. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment numbers have dipped even lower, with a record low of 46.8 thousand students in the 2025-2026 school year.
Boston Latin School Assistant Head of School Steven Chen explains the benefits of closing and merging schools: “If you can create larger schools, you’re going to be able to create much more comprehensive services for students in a much more efficient way than the current model; […] very small schools are [often] funded in a way where many more students could actually be in their schools.”
BPS leadership has stated that many BPS buildings are currently in need of repair; most of these buildings date back to the twentieth century, with only 14 percent of facilities deemed able to support high-quality student experiences according to BPS standards.
BPS has stated that they plan to provide students with guidance for a transition to new schools and give priority to families in the high school registration process. Closing high schools will cut off ninth grade entry to new students, but current eleventh and twelfth graders will be allowed to graduate from their present school.
The decision to close these schools has been met with significant pushback from members of the BPS community. Families from across Boston have raised concerns that these closures and mergers will disrupt students’ academic and personal lives, especially for students of color and students with special needs.
Additionally, this decision will impact over 200 full-time staff members, who have been encouraged by the district to seek employment at other BPS schools. Overall, the proposed 2026-2027 budget forecasts that there will be 300 to 400 staff layoffs throughout the district due to rising costs and ensuing budget cuts.
In the months leading up to the decision, students, families and teachers alike participated in rallies and protests against the closures. Many students advocated for their schools to remain open because their current schools and smaller class sizes allow them to receive specialized instruction and support as well as feel more included in their communities.
BLS Head of School Jason Gallagher reflects, “Anytime you close a school, it’s hurtful to the community that they’re in. […] It could be the center of their community, and that’s really challenging for families to have to deal with. [Thus,] the effect on BPS as a whole is pretty strong.”
In addition to the closures, several other schools will also see a change in their structures. The Roger Clap Elementary School will merge with the John Winthrop Elementary School to form the Lilla G. Frederick (Clap-Winthrop) Elementary School.
Besides mergers, the Boston Teachers Union Pilot K-8 School, Mary Lyon K-8 School, and Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School will all see a change from the traditional K-8 grade setup to a K-6 structure. Several more reconfigurations are also planned for the future.
When asked about how he felt about the future of BPS’s actions, Nathaniel Vo (IV) concludes, “As of currently, I think they’re doing a pretty good job, [as] long as they provide the family the help they need.”