![Boston Public Schools students sit in a classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788877640/bostonpublicschoolsorg/ixgxkrbfiaxvn9pxgnmo/20250904_First_Day_of_School_DSC08962_3x2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788877640/bostonpublicschoolsorg/ixgxkrbfiaxvn9pxgnmo/20250904_First_Day_of_School_DSC08962_3x2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788877640/bostonpublicschoolsorg/ixgxkrbfiaxvn9pxgnmo/20250904_First_Day_of_School_DSC08962_3x2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788877640/bostonpublicschoolsorg/ixgxkrbfiaxvn9pxgnmo/20250904_First_Day_of_School_DSC08962_3x2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1788877640/bostonpublicschoolsorg/ixgxkrbfiaxvn9pxgnmo/20250904_First_Day_of_School_DSC08962_3x2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1788877640/bostonpublicschoolsorg/ixgxkrbfiaxvn9pxgnmo/20250904_First_Day_of_School_DSC08962_3x2.jpg","width":2200}])
![Parked buses in a parking lot]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788539575/bostonpublicschoolsorg/wtaenju7zwxxtj1lrtay/IMG_7965.heic","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788539575/bostonpublicschoolsorg/wtaenju7zwxxtj1lrtay/IMG_7965.heic","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788539575/bostonpublicschoolsorg/wtaenju7zwxxtj1lrtay/IMG_7965.heic","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788539575/bostonpublicschoolsorg/wtaenju7zwxxtj1lrtay/IMG_7965.heic","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1788539575/bostonpublicschoolsorg/wtaenju7zwxxtj1lrtay/IMG_7965.heic","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1788539575/bostonpublicschoolsorg/wtaenju7zwxxtj1lrtay/IMG_7965.heic","width":2200}])
![Man wiping glass window]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788541427/bostonpublicschoolsorg/hsj05vn1yb4ytfsnoh67/20250924_SchoolCustodians_Diaz_4x5-00636.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788541427/bostonpublicschoolsorg/hsj05vn1yb4ytfsnoh67/20250924_SchoolCustodians_Diaz_4x5-00636.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788541427/bostonpublicschoolsorg/hsj05vn1yb4ytfsnoh67/20250924_SchoolCustodians_Diaz_4x5-00636.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788541427/bostonpublicschoolsorg/hsj05vn1yb4ytfsnoh67/20250924_SchoolCustodians_Diaz_4x5-00636.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1788541427/bostonpublicschoolsorg/hsj05vn1yb4ytfsnoh67/20250924_SchoolCustodians_Diaz_4x5-00636.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1788541427/bostonpublicschoolsorg/hsj05vn1yb4ytfsnoh67/20250924_SchoolCustodians_Diaz_4x5-00636.jpg","width":2200}])
![City Year Helps Ready New Mary Lyon Elementary School For Students' Arrival]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788286923/bostonpublicschoolsorg/dz1fbszb12pjovymnwqe/20260828_MaryLyonElementary_2x3-05855.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788286923/bostonpublicschoolsorg/dz1fbszb12pjovymnwqe/20260828_MaryLyonElementary_2x3-05855.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788286923/bostonpublicschoolsorg/dz1fbszb12pjovymnwqe/20260828_MaryLyonElementary_2x3-05855.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788286923/bostonpublicschoolsorg/dz1fbszb12pjovymnwqe/20260828_MaryLyonElementary_2x3-05855.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1788286923/bostonpublicschoolsorg/dz1fbszb12pjovymnwqe/20260828_MaryLyonElementary_2x3-05855.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1788286923/bostonpublicschoolsorg/dz1fbszb12pjovymnwqe/20260828_MaryLyonElementary_2x3-05855.jpg","width":2200}])
High School Promotion & Assessment
Promotion Requirements for All Grades
Students must fulfill several requirements to be promoted to the next grade. All students must earn passing grades in certain courses and maintain good attendance.
Schools may establish promotion requirements that exceed those listed below. The School Site Council must approve these additional requirements.
Assessments that Students Take in High School
| Assessment | Grades | What does it test? |
|---|---|---|
|
BPS End-of-Course Assessments |
9-12 |
Assessments of content taught in previous 4-6 weeks in each subject area |
|
MCAS 2.0 |
10 |
ELA (reading comprehension, composition, and understanding of language and literature) and Math (Number and Quantity, Algebra and Functions, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability) |
|
Legacy MCAS |
10-12 |
|
|
MCAS 2.0 |
9 |
(if enrolled in these courses and not passed a science test previously). |
|
Legacy MCAS |
9 |
(if enrolled in these courses and not passed a science test previously). |
|
Legacy MCAS |
10 and |
(If not passed previously) For students taking biology, chemistry, introductory physics, and technology engineering. |
|
ACCESS for ELLs |
9-12 |
Reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in English for English Learners. |
|
Preliminary SAT (PSAT) |
10-11 |
Practice for SATs; assesses math and evidence-based reading/writing; scores used to name National Merit Scholars. |
|
SAT School Day |
11-12 |
Used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. SAT School Day assesses math and evidence-based reading/writing (ACT: tests English, reading, math, and science) |
|
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) |
12 |
Measures what U.S. students know and can do in various subjects (given every 2 years in a few sampled schools) |
|
STAMP Assessment |
12 |
A world language proficiency assessment student may take to qualify for the state Seal of Biliteracy. |
|
BPS Interim Assessments |
9-11 |
ELA and math grade-level standards proficiency |
|
MAP Growth |
9-11 |
Universal screen for reading that provides a growth measure (between two assessment administrations) |
Homework Recommendations
Boston Public Schools educators believe that when students spend time on meaningful homework assignments, they are more likely to succeed academically. Homework builds on classroom work and encourages students to develop self-discipline and personal responsibility. It also promotes cooperation between home and school.
Homework provides opportunities to continue to explore content from the day’s lessons, preparation for the next day’s lessons, and/or activities to deepen students’ understanding. The school should have a homework plan that fits the school’s curriculum.
Teachers should coordinate assignments, so students do not have too much homework on any given night. For instance, a school might assign reading and writing every day; math and history on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; and science and world language on Tuesday and Thursday. Homework makes up part of the report card grade.
Recommended average time: 2½ hours per day