COVID-19 Health & Safety Information

Air Quality
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Guided by public health guidance, Boston Public Schools is focused on making sure all buildings have the best possible ventilation and air quality. Our school buildings fall into one of three categories: buildings with central HVAC, buildings with steam heat and limited mechanical ventilation, and buildings with steam heat and no mechanical ventilation. Additional details on each school are below.
Air Quality and Air Exchange Testing & Results
There is no COVID-19 specific air quality testing available. However, BPS started indoor air quality testing in September and continues to test schools. In buildings with steam heat and limited ventilation, air quality is tested by measuring carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, volatile organic compounds or VOCs, and total dust. Details are shared in each school’s report which is available via the above link.
Additional COVID-19 Safety Measures
Following CDC recommendations for operating schools during COVID-19, we are taking these additional steps to increase ventilation rates and the flow of fresh air:
- Window repairs: Opening windows and doors is highly recommended to ensure adequate ventilation. While schools were closed, BPS staff inspected all 27,500 windows in the district. Repairs are currently being completed in two phases:
- Phase one will make sure at least one window opens in every classroom. As of September 11, 2021, 241 windows have been repaired and 52 are in process.
- Phase two will involve repairing an additional 7,000 windows throughout the fall, which will ensure multiple windows are operable in every classroom.
- Classroom temperature settings have been raised and boiler runtimes increased to provide additional heat when windows are opened.
- All exhaust fans are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Securing 7,500 air purifiers for classrooms in non-HVAC buildings and additional spaces in HVAC buildings (HVAC systems achieve airflow via regular operation - Learn more about Air Purifiers Here)
Buildings with Central HVAC
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What It Is and How It Works
There are 38 school buildings in the district with all-inclusive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. These systems maintain air quality, control temperatures, and regulate humidity by pulling fresh, filtered air into the building and blowing indoor air outside. Buildings in this category typically have limited operational windows.
All central HVAC systems are operated and monitored remotely using an Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) system, which allows the BPS Planning & Engineering team to see whether the equipment is operating properly and to make adjustments when needed.
Preventative Maintenance & Repairs
The Planning & Engineering team manages all preventative maintenance and repairs to HVAC systems using highly qualified mechanics and technicians. Central HVAC systems are inspected, serviced, and repaired on a seasonal schedule. For example, preparation for air conditioning operations begins in January and includes service to all HVAC equipment. Air filter changes are scheduled based on recommendations from the equipment manufacturers and industry best practices, but scheduled replacements are adjusted when needed.
Schools with Central HVAC
Blackstone, William Elementary
Boston Arts Academy
Carter, William E. School
Charlestown High School
Community Academy of Science and Health
Condon, James F. K-8
Dearborn STEM 6-12 Academy
East Boston Early Education Center
Eliot (Charter St.)
Ellison Parks Early Education School
English High School
Frederick, Lilla G. Pilot Middle School
Haley, Dennis C. Pilot School
Harvard/Kent Elementary
Hayes, Roland School of Music
Haynes, Rev. Dr. Michael E. Early Education Center
Hennigan, James W. K-8 School
Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Jackson/Mann K-8 School
Lee, Joseph K-8 School
Lyon, Mary K-8 School
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
Mattahunt Elementary
Mildred Avenue K-8 School
Mission Hill K-8 School
Muniz, Margarita Academy
Murphy, Richard J. K-8 School
O'Bryant, John D. School of Math & Science
Ohrenberger, William H. School
Orchard Gardens K-8 School
Quincy, Josiah Elementary
Quincy, Josiah Upper School (mods)
Tynan, Joseph P. Elementary
Umana, Mario Academy
UP Academy Dorchester
UP Academy Holland
West Zone Early Learning Center
Buildings with Steam Heat
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What It Is and How It Works
There are 27 buildings in the district with steam heat and no mechanical ventilation. Instead of mechanical ventilation systems that circulate air using ducts and fans, these buildings use windows as the primary source of airflow. Heat is provided by steam-heating boilers and radiators. These buildings do have exhaust fans in all bathrooms, which continuously blow indoor air outside of the building.
All steam heat systems are controlled and monitored remotely using an Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) system, which allows the BPS Planning & Engineering team to see whether the equipment is operating properly and to make adjustments when needed.
Preventative Maintenance & Repairs
The Planning & Engineering team manages all preventative maintenance and repairs to heating systems using highly qualified mechanics and technicians. Steam heat systems are inspected, serviced, and repaired on a seasonal schedule. For example, preparation for heating operations begins in July of each year and includes service to all boiler and radiator equipment. Boilers are also inspected annually by the MA Department of Public Safety.
Schools with Steam Heat and No Mechanical Ventilation
Alighieri, Dante Montessori School
Baldwin Early Learning Pilot Academy
Bates, Phineas Elementary
Beethoven, Ludwig van Elementary
Boston Collaborative High School
Boston Day and Evening Academy
Boston International High School
Channing, William Ellery Elementary
Chittick, James J. Elementary
Clap, Roger Elementary School
Community Academy
Conley, George H. Elementary
Curley K-8 School
Dudley Street Neighborhood School
Eliot (585 Commercial)
Ellis, David A. Elementary
Everett, Edward Elementary
Gardner Pilot Academy
Greater Egleston High School
Greenwood, Sarah K-8 School
Henderson, Dr. William W. K-12 Inclusion School Upper
Hernandez, Rafael K-8
Higginson/Lewis K-8
Holmes, Oliver W. Elementary
Kennedy, Edward M. Academy for Health Careers (9-10 & 11-12)
Kennedy, Patrick J. Elementary
Kenny, Thomas J. Elementary
Kilmer, Joyce K-8 School (K-3)
Kilmer, Joyce K-8 School (4-8)
Lee Academy
Lyon, Mary High School
Manning, Joseph P. Elementary
McKay, Donald K-8 School
McKinley, William Middle
McKinley, William Preparatory High School
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus Elementary
O'Donnell, Hugh R. Elementary
Otis, James Elementary
Perkins, Michael J. Elementary
Philbrick, John D. Elementary
Shaw, Pauline A. Elementary
Sumner, Charles Elementary
Taylor, Charles H. Elementary
Timilty, James P. Middle School
UP Academy Boston
Warren/Prescott K-8 School
Young Achievers K-8 School
Buildings with Steam Heat and Limited Ventilation
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What It Is and How It Works
Mechanical ventilation systems circulate fresh air using ducts and fans rather than relying on natural airflow through open windows or doors. There are 68 school buildings in the district with steam heat and limited mechanical ventilation. These buildings use steam-heating boilers and radiators as their heating source. Windows are the primary source of ventilation, but they also have some mechanical ventilation such as exhaust fans, which continuously blow indoor air to the outdoors, and unit ventilators that filter and control the temperature of outdoor air blown into a classroom.
All steam heat and limited ventilation systems are scheduled, operated, and monitored remotely using an Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) system, which allows the BPS Planning & Engineering team to see whether the equipment is operating properly and to make adjustments when needed.
Preventative Maintenance & Repairs
The Planning & Engineering team manages all preventative maintenance and repairs to heating and ventilation systems using highly qualified mechanics and technicians. These systems are inspected, serviced, and repaired on a seasonal schedule. For example, preparation for heating operations begins in June and includes service to all boiler and radiator equipment. Boilers are also inspected annually by the MA Department of Public Safety. Air filter changes are scheduled based on recommendations from the equipment manufacturers and industry best practices, but scheduled replacements are adjusted when needed.
Schools with Steam Heat and Limited Mechanical Ventilation
Adams, Samuel Elementary
Another Course to College
Boston Adult Technical Academy
Boston Community Leadership Academy
Boston Green Academy
Boston Latin Academy
Boston Latin School
Boston Teachers Union K-8 Pilot
Bradley, Manassah E. Elementary
Brighton High School
Burke, Jeremiah E. High School
Dever, Paul A. Elementary
East Boston High School
Edison, Thomas A. K-8 School
Edwards, Clarence R. Middle School
Eliot (Salem St.)
Excel High School
Fenway High School
Grew, Henry Elementary
Guild, Curtis Elementary
Hale, Nathan Elementary
Henderson, Dr. William W. K-12 Inclusion School Lower
Higginson, Henry L. Inclusion K0-2 School
Hurley, Joseph J. K-8 School
Irving, Washington Middle School
Kennedy, John F Elementary
King, Jr., Martin Luther K-8 School
Lyndon, Patrick K-8 School
Mason, Samuel W. Elementary
Mather Elementary
McCormack, John W. Middle School
McKinley, William School
McKinley, William Elementary
McKinley, William South End Academy
Mendell, Ellis Elementary
New Mission High School
Perry, Oliver H. K-8 School
Quincy, Josiah Upper School
Roosevelt, Franklin D. K-8 School (K1-1 & 2-8)
Russell, William E. Elementary
Snowden, Muriel S. International High School
TechBoston Academy 6-12
Tobin, Maurice J. K-8 School
Winship, F. Lyman Elementary
Winthrop, John Elementary
Trotter, William Monroe K-8 School