Ombudsperson

Advocating for Your Child: A Problem-Solving Checklist

If you have a school-related problem, we want to help solve it. Every school should have a handbook that describes the procedures for resolving problems in the school. If you need additional help, please call the individuals or offices below in the order listed. 

If possible, provide a written description of your problem. Write down the name of everyone you speak with and keep all documents and letters related to your problem.

Issues Affecting Your Child’s Learning

1. Teacher
2. Principal or Head of School
3. Elementary or Secondary Superintendent*

General School Issues

1. Principal or Head of School
2. Operational Leader*
3. Elementary or Secondary Superintendent*

School Governance (Parent & School Site Councils) 

1. Principal or Head of School
2. Office of Student, Family & Community Advancement, 617-635-7750
3. Elementary or Secondary Superintendent*

Discipline

1. Principal or Head of School
2. Operational Leader*
3. Elementary or Secondary Superintendent*

Safety

1. Principal or Head of School
2. Operational Leader*
3. Elementary or Secondary Superintendent*
4. Boston Public Schools Safe Schools and Bullying Prevention Hotline, 617-592-2378

Transportation

1. Principal or Head of School
2. Transportation Department, 617-635-9520 or schoolbus@bostonpublicschools.org

Attendance

1. Teacher
2. Student Support Coordinator
3. Principal or Head of School

School Assignments, Transfers, Waiting Lists, and Residency

1. >Welcome Services Hotline, 617-635-9046
2. School Assignment & Registration: Call or visit one of our Welcome Centers
3. Appeals concerning residency policy: Ombudsperson, 617-635-9054

REMEMBER: Principals and Head of Schools can’t make or change school assignments or guarantee that your child can attend a certain school.

English Learner Issues

1. Teacher
2. Principal or Head of School
3. Newcomers Assessment and Counseling Center, 617-635-1565
4. Office of English Learners, 617-635-9435

Special Education Issues

1. Teacher
2. Principal or Head of School
3. Special Education, 617-635-8599 

*Each school has an Operational and an Elementary or Secondary Superintendent. To find contact information for your school’s Operational Leader or Elementary/Secondary Superintendent, click here.

Do you still need help resolving a school issue? Contact the BPS Ombudsperson.

The Ombudsperson will listen to you and work with you to resolve your problem. The four principles that inform the work of the Ombudsperson are neutrality, independence, confidentiality, and informality. 617-635-9054 or 857-891-1363