Choosing Schools

How will you decide which schools are best for your child? The following are a few important steps to help you make informed choices for your child's education.

1. Think about what your family is looking for in a school.

Make a list of what you are looking for in a school, based on your child's needs and interests. Factors to consider may include the school's location, size, hours, academic focus, enrichment programs (arts, music, sports), before- and after-school programs, facilities, school uniform policy, opportunities for family involvement, and much more.

2. Find out what schools you can consider.

Visit the "What Are My Schools?" page and enter your home address and grade level to find out which schools your child is eligible to attend. The program will generate a list of schools for which you may apply, and will indicate the schools where you have "walk zone priority" and schools where you are eligible to receive yellow school bus transportation.

3. Learn as much as you can about these options by researching and visiting schools in person to see them in action.

Read about the schools you are considering in Introducing the Boston Public Schools. In addition to the on-line version, this publication is available at Family Resource Centers, as well as local libraries and community centers. It provides valuable information about every one of the schools to help narrow your search.
Attend the Citywide Showcase of Schools to meet principals, teachers, parents and students, see student work, and learn more about the schools you are considering.
Visit as many schools as you can. Schools host open houses and other activities during School Preview Time. This is the best way to get to know a school.
After you've "shopped around," rank your schools in order of preference. Remember to choose at least five schools, and list even more if you can. To save time during registration, you can pre-register on-line.

4. Now you are ready to complete the process by visiting a Family Resource Center during the registration periods.

For a better chance of getting one of your top choices...

Apply within your first registration period—January 3–February 3, 2012 for the transition grades (kindergarten, grade 6, and grade 9), and February 8–March 23, 2012 for all other grades. All applications received within each of the four registration periods are processed at the same time, not in the order received.
Make at least FIVE choices -- ideally, make six or more choices.
List your school choices in your true order of preference. There is no need to“strategize.” If you list a popular school first, you won’t hurt your chances of getting your second choice school if you don’t get your first choice.
Choose a variety of schools — including schools for which you have sibling or walk zone priority, as well as "hidden gems" that are less frequently chosen but may be a good fit for your child (See Kindergarten Demand Report). You may go to a Family Resource Center any time during the year to register for school or to request a transfer—but the longer you wait, the fewer choices you will have. Many schools are full after the first registration period.

Boston also offers a number of public charter schools. To learn more about Massachusetts public charter schools, please see this list from the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association.

5. Current BPS students in transition grades (typically grades 5 and 8, or grade 1 in an ELC/EEC), do not need to visit a Family Resource Center.

BPS students in transition grades will receive their school selection forms via their current schools. The forms need to be completed, signed and returned to your child's current school by the deadline indicated.

Additional information on choosing high schools, include special admission schools can be found on our Transition Grade Activities web page.