Spring 2024 Grade Reconfigurations and Closures

The BPS Long-Term Facilities Plan is a data-driven roadmap for shifting our physical footprint to support the High-Quality Student Experience with greater urgency, transparency, and equity. For every student and family to have access to the BPS High-Quality Student Experience close to home, we need school buildings that are safe, healthy, climate-resilient, inclusive, and inspiring.

Overview

We are building a stronger school district for Boston and have been working with our school communities to develop strategies together that deliver a high-quality experience for all BPS students. We are committed to shifting our district’s physical footprint in a way that expands access to a more holistic learning experience for all students, and allows us to concentrate more resources into our classrooms. This work is about providing every student in Boston with an inclusive education and equitable access to the High-Quality Student Experience that we collectively envision (outlined in the BPS Long-Term Facilities Plan). Our goal is to expand access to rigorous and culturally affirming learning experiences, access to wellness and enrichment, a supportive network of caring adults, and the physical spaces to support all aspects of a student’s education. The Long-Term Facilities Plan outlines our commitment to utilizing data in order to develop an annual cycle of proposed shifts to our district’s building portfolio.

Timeline

May 8, 2024
- Presentation to provide updates on the Long-Term Facilities Plan to the Boston School Committee
May 22, 2024
- Presentation of Spring 2024 proposals to the Boston School Committee
June 17, 2024
- Boston School Committee Vote on Closure Proposals

Materials

May 9, 2024 - Letter from the Superintendent to Boston Public Schools
- English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt
June 14, 2024 - Update Letter and Appendix Documents for the Hennigan and West Zone ELC School Communities
- English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

LILLA G. FREDERICK PILOT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Closure of the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School
- We presented a proposal to the Boston School Committee to close the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The Boston School Committee voteed yes on the closure proposal on June 17, 2024. Please email capitalplanning@bostonpublicschools.org if you have any questions.
Materials
- Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School School Committee Vote Decision (June, 17, 2024)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt
Proposal Information (May 8, 2024)
- Close Frederick Pilot Middle School and begin collaborative planning and relaunching the process with the Frederick community. This closure was announced on January 10, 2024 as part of the BPS phase-out of middle schools, but has not been formally approved. The Frederick is the last free-standing middle school to close following the district’s implementation of a 2019 policy to shift to a districtwide PreK-6/7-12 and PreK-8/9-12 grade configuration, thereby eliminating traditional middle schools.
- We have implemented an assignment plan that would suspend sixth-grade enrollment at the Frederick for the SY24-25. The current 8th graders will graduate at the end of SY23-24, and current 7th graders will graduate at the end of SY24-25. This leaves 98 current 6th graders as of May 1 to be transitioned to other schools for SY25-26. Through the IEP process, the IEP team will identify the level of need and services that promote access to grade-level standards in the least restrictive learning environment. For students who are referred to specific special education programs as a result of the IEP team process, the district is exploring the below transfer options. Where possible, the whole program, including staff, will relocate to the new school option. The expansion of the Margarita Muñiz to serve grades 7-8 (already announced and beginning implementation in Fall 2024) provides an opportunity for the relocation of the Frederick’s Spanish SLIFE program.
- Specialized Programs
  - Learning Disability: New Mission, TechBoston Academy, Albert Holland School of Technology, Charlestown, East Boston, Brighton
  - Spanish SLIFE: Margarita Muñiz Academy
  - Multilingual SLIFE: Brighton, Albert Holland School of Technology
  - Multiple Disabilities Program: Josiah Quincy Upper School
  - Moderate Intellectual Impairment: Charlestown
- Students with disabilities and multilingual learners and their families have been provided with individual communication to address student and family concerns. Staff have been working with the Office of Human Capital (OHC) and Recruitment, Cultivation, and Diversity (RCD) to determine options for transitioning roles.
- We are deeply committed to continuing to use the building as a school to serve Boston’s children: it is a large building with a capacity of 652 students, and the facilities are in relatively good condition. The Building Experience Score is 4, the highest possible score, and the building can provide a full continuum of services. Moving forward, we will be working with school communities and the broader Grove Hall community to identify the next use of the Frederick building as part of a collaborative planning and relaunching process, with the goal of serving a new elementary school community by SY25-26.
- We began conversations about the future of the Frederick building with Frederick Governing Board leadership in Spring 2024 and will accelerate and broaden community conversations this spring and summer. We are grateful to the Frederick community for being active and thoughtful participants in this planning process, and we commit to meeting the following principles that the Governing Board has elevated:
  - Maintain the name of Lilla G. Frederick, a long-time advocate for education and empowerment in Grove Hall, for the school
  - Continue to use the building for community purposes during any potential transition period instead of leaving the building vacant
  - Maintain access for future generations of students in Grove Hall and the surrounding community
  - Maintain the future occupants of the building as a Community Hub PreK-6 School, with partnerships with neighborhood organizations
- We are also committed to working with community stakeholders in Grove Hall, including the Project RIGHT and Grove Hall Alliance, to determine the school community or communities that will move into the building. The students, families, and educators represented by these coalitions have already begun meaningfully engaging in school facilities planning to identify options for merger, closure, or renovation to bring short-term and long-term benefit to the Grove Hall, Roxbury, and the wider community.
- The district is conducting a preliminary analysis of nearby school communities that could fit in the Frederick building. We’re engaging with the community about potential configurations that will increase access to the High-Quality Student Experience, including a full continuum of services and a range of academic and enrichment programs, and expand bilingual education programming.
- Other options may emerge through continued community engagement. Our goal is to make a recommendation to the School Committee in Fall 2024.
- Cost savings associated with this closure are estimated at $6M annually.
Additional Information on the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School Closure Proposal

Appendix D: Additional Information on Closure Proposals

Close Frederick Pilot Middle School

Current Enrollment

Total: 337

Grade 6	Grade 7	Grade 8
91	118	128

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Other	White
4%	33%	58%	1%	3%

Students with disabilities: 30%
Multilingual learners: 50%

Administratively Assigned

Concentration of specialized programs for students with high needs

23% of students
• 15% substantially separate
• 9% SLIFE

Students living near the school

72% of students live within 1 mile of the school

Special Ed and ML Programs

SEI Spanish, SEI Multilingual
Moderate intellectual impairment; Specific learning disability

Building Capacity

652

Facilities Condition Score

35 out of 100

WEST ZONE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Closure of the West Zone Early Learning Center
- We presented a proposal to the Boston School Committee to close the West Zone Early Learning Center and consolidate it into the Hennigan School beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The Boston School Committee voted “Yes” on the proposal on June 17, 2024.

West Zone Early Learning Center School Committee Vote Decision (June, 17, 2024)
- English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt
Proposal Information (May 8, 2024)
- Close West Zone ELC and consolidate with the Hennigan School. The West Zone ELC and Hennigan schools operate in the same building. Not only does this result in operational inefficiencies (e.g., both schools offer K2 and Grade 1 in the same building), but there is no guaranteed pathway for West Zone students to transfer to the Hennigan. By closing the West Zone and consolidating into the Hennigan, students will have a seamless pathway from PreK through 6th grade. Every West Zone student will have a guaranteed placement at the Hennigan School.
- By closing and consolidating the West Zone ELC into the Hennigan and reconfiguring the Hennigan to be a PreK-6 (which is not a part of this vote), the district can expand K0/K1 seats to meet the district’s increasing demand, especially for students with disabilities. The exact number of new seats will depend on programmatic decisions, which will be made in coordination with the school community.
- This proposal would also provide more space flexibility in the PreK-6 Hennigan School to offer expanded programming. There are 39 core classrooms in the building. Removing the 7th and 8th grades from the Hennigan and consolidating a small number of classrooms in the West Zone provides more flexible space for resource rooms, arts, science, bilingual programming and more. In essence, closing a small number of classrooms and reconfiguring the school helps us create a better student experience.
- We commit to the following:
  - School schedule and extended day: The West Zone ELC currently runs from 7:30am - 4:30pm and the Hennigan currently runs from 9:30am - 4:10pm. The district is committed to a 7:30am - 2:10pm bell schedule with extended day opportunities until 4:30pm for K0-K2 students.
  - Partnerships & Programming: The district will collaborate with school communities and partners to develop the Hennigan School into a Community Hub School.
  - Facilities: Identify and invest in small-scale facility improvements, building on the recently renovated bathrooms and ongoing work to upgrade and re-open the BCYF pool for students in grades 1-6.
  - Support for Staff: Our goal is that affected staff feel valued, informed, and supported throughout transitions. The Office of Human Capital will provide clear communications and points of contact; weekly virtual office hours for resume, cover letter, and interview support during hiring season; recruitment job fairs and more for all staff affected by transitions.
- This academic, enrichment, and operational work will be done in collaboration with the school leaders and school communities during the transition year (SY24-25). We will work with our labor partners to ensure staff impacted in this process are well-supported.
- The consolidation of two schools combined with the removal of the 7th and 8th grade at the Hennigan will free up district resources to expand early childhood program at the Hennigan. Overall the budget is not likely to decline as resources that are saved in the upper grades are reinvested to expand instructional capacity in the lower grades.
Additional Information on the West Zone Early Learning Center Closure Proposal

Appendix D: Additional Information on Closure Proposals

Close West Zone ELC and Consolidate with Hennigan School

Current Enrollment

West Zone: 113
• K0/K1: 50; K2: 33; Grade 1: 30
• Students with disabilities: 29.2%
• Multilingual learners: 33.7%

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Other	White
9%	25%	51%	4%	11%

Hennigan: 503
• K2: 27; Grade 1: 39; Grade 2: 50; Grade 3: 39; Grade 4: 57; Grade 5: 78; Grade 6: 66; Grade 7: 71; Grade 8: 76
• Students with disabilities: 29.2%
• Multilingual learners: 33.7%

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Other	White
4%	25%	66%	2%	3%

Administratively Assigned

Concentration of specialized programs for students with high needs

15% of students (Hennigan only)
• 9% substantially separate
• 5% SLIFE

Students living near the school

West Zone: 62% of students live within 1 mile of the school
Hennigan: 52% of students live within 1 mile of the school

Special Ed and ML Programs

West Zone: No Programs
Hennigan: Mild intellectual impairment, Specific learning disability; SEI Multilingual

Building Capacity

711 - Note: The Hennigan and the West Zone were evaluated as one school community since they share a building.

Facilities Condition Score

10 out of 100

MATERIALS
- West Zone Early Learning Center Community Meeting Slidedeck (5.13.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

- West Zone Early Learning Center Community Meeting Slidedeck (5.30.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

- Update Letter and Appendix Documents for the Hennigan and West Zone ELC School Communities (6.14.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

GARDNER PILOT ACADEMY

Reconfiguration Plan
- We shared the plan with the Boston School Committee to reconfigure the Gardner Pilot Academy from a PreK-8 school to a PreK-6 school beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

MATERIALS
- Gardner Pilot Academy Community Meeting Slidedeck (5.14.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

JAMES W. HENNIGAN SCHOOL

Reconfiguration Plan
- We shared the plan with the Boston School Committee to reconfigure the James W. Hennigan School from a K-8 school to a PreK-6 school beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

MATERIALS
- James W. Hennigan School Community Meeting Slidedeck (5.13.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

- James W. Hennigan School Community Meeting Slidedeck (5.28.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

- Update Letter and Appendix Documents for the Hennigan and West Zone ELC School Communities (6.14.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

RAFAEL HERNÁNDEZ DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL

Reconfiguration Plan
- We shared the plan with the Boston School Committee to reconfigure the Rafael Hernández Dual Language School from a PreK-8 school to a PreK-6 school beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

MATERIALS
- Rafael Hernández Dual Language School Community Meeting Slidedeck (5.15.24)
  - English | Español | العربية | Cabo-Verdiano | 中文 | Français | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português | Soomaali | Tiếng Việt

City of Boston

CONTACT

Capital Planning Department

capitalplanning@bostonpublicschools.org