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)

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

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

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