News

Laptop on a website that shows the air quality of a school

Boston Public Schools Selected for National Grant to Improve School Air Quality

BPS Marks the End of the 2024-2025 School Year

Boston Public Schools Earns National Recognition in Communications, Marketing, and Multimedia

Boston Public Schools Celebrates 2025 Valedictorians

Events

Aug 8

Last Day of BPS Extended School Year Programming

all day

Aug 8

Last Day of BPS Fifth Quarter Programming

all day

News

Boston Public Schools Selected for National Grant to Improve School Air Quality

BPS is one of ten school districts in the nation selected for a competitive grant focused on improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in school facilities.

Boston Public Schools Selected for National Grant to Improve School Air Quality

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) and Go Green Initiative (GGI) recently announced that Boston Public Schools (BPS) is one of ten school districts in the nation selected for a competitive grant focused on improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in school facilities.

As part of the program, BPS will receive $50,000 and on-the-ground technical assistance to develop and implement board-approved IAQ Management and GHG Reduction Plans. The program specifically targets low-income and Tribal school districts, helping them build capacity to address health and environmental factors that directly affect student learning.

“We are grateful to receive this unprecedented grant award in recognition of our nationally-recognized IAQ Management Program and our commitment to continuous improvement for healthy, sustainable school environments at BPS,” said Katherine Walsh, BPS Asst. Director of Planning, Engineering, Sustainability, & Environment. “We know that indoor air quality affects student learning outcomes and student and staff health. We will continue to invest in strategies, from policy to infrastructure to community engagement to improve the health and wellness of our school communities and school environments.”

“Every student deserves a safe, healthy learning environment—and that starts with the air they breathe,” said Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, Executive Director and CEO of NSBA. “Poor indoor air quality is linked to increased absenteeism, lower test scores, and decreased teacher retention rates, all of which directly undermine student achievement. Through this groundbreaking partnership with the Go Green Initiative, NSBA is proud to help school boards implement real, measurable solutions to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We applaud these ten districts for their leadership and commitment to student and staff well-being and educational success.”

The ten school districts selected for the 2025–2026 cohort are:

EPA Region 1: Boston Public Schools, Boston, MA
EPA Region 2: Salamanca City Central School District, Salamanca, NY
EPA Region 3: Alexandria City Public Schools, Alexandria, VA
EPA Region 4: Bibb County School District, Macon, GA
EPA Region 5: East St. Louis School District 189, East St. Louis, IL
EPA Region 6: Grants Cibola County Schools, Grants, NM
EPA Region 7: North Daviess R-III, Jameson, MO
EPA Region 8: Arlee Joint School District No. 8, Arlee, MT
EPA Region 9: Standard School District, Bakersfield, CA
EPA Region 10: Dufur School District 29, Dufur, OR

“This first cohort of school districts represents a historic moment of national attention to the impact indoor air quality (IAQ) has on student health and learning,” said Jill Buck, M.S., Ed., founder and CEO of the Go Green Initiative. “Each school district was chosen from a pool of applicants representing all ten EPA regions and will set the standard for energy-efficient IAQ management. We congratulate the leaders of these school districts for their extraordinary commitment to student well-being and we look forward to working with them to create healthier learning conditions for the nearly 100,000 students in their care.”

As part of the program, participating school district will:
Enact school board policy to address IAQ management and GHG reduction;
Conduct baseline assessments of air quality and emissions;
Provide training for key district stakeholders;
Develop and implement districtwide IAQ and GHG reduction plans; and
Measure, quantify, and report outcomes.

In the 2021-2022 school year, BPS was the first K-12 district in the world to install IAQ sensors in all classrooms and publicly share the real-time data on a web-based dashboard. The BPS IAQ Management Plan is being used as a model by other K-12 districts across the country and our adopted IAQ standards are influencing state and federal policy and funding for IAQ in K-12 schools. This grant award will help BPS address needs related to greenhouse gas emissions, school community engagement, and staff training.

District onboarding will begin this summer, with full implementation scheduled for on September 1, 2025.

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About Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 48,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 121 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

About the National School Boards Association

Founded in 1940, the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) purpose is to ensure each student everywhere has access to excellent and equitable public education governed by high-performing school board leaders and supported by the community. With members spread across the United States, the Virgin Islands, and Canada, NSBA is the only national organization representing school boards. Along with its member state associations and member public school districts representing locally elected school board officials serving millions of public school students, NSBA believes that public education is a civil right necessary to the dignity and freedom of the American people and that each child, regardless of their ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, identity, or citizenship, deserves equitable access to an education that maximizes their individual potential. For more information, visit nsba.org.

About the Go Green Initiative

The Go Green Initiative, headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, is the global leader in fully comprehensive environmental action plans for schools. By promoting environmental stewardship on campuses from preschools through universities, the GGI works to involve families, businesses and local governments in the common goal of protecting human health through environmental stewardship. Since its inception in July 2002, the Go Green Initiative has been endorsed by the National School Boards Association, National Recycling Coalition, adopted by nine State PTA Boards, implemented in all 50 U.S. states and in 73 countries. There are currently over 2.5 million students and teachers in registered Go Green schools. More information is available at www.GoGreenInitiative.org

BPS Marks the End of the 2024-2025 School Year

Today marks the final day of the 2024-2025 School Year for Boston Public Schools. As students, families and staff head into a well-deserved and restful summer break, now is also a time to reflect on and celebrate the successes of the past year.

BPS Marks the End of the 2024-2025 School Year

Monday, June 23, 2025 – Today marks the final day of the 2024-2025 School Year for Boston Public Schools. As students, families and staff head into a well-deserved and restful summer break, now is also a time to reflect on and celebrate the successes of the past year.

The school year has been filled with numerous examples of students flourishing across BPS schools and in the community. Students from 17 BPS high schools shined during the prestigious Aspen Challenge competition. They showed off their artistic skills at the Citywide Arts Festival, which saw the largest number of student participants ever. Students performed in front of crowds from Carnegie Hall to Fenway Park. BPS athletes made deep runs into the state playoffs. This year’s cohort of graduates are moving on to careers and post-secondary education to pursue their life goals.

“I see our students come to school ready to learn and rise to challenges," said BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper. “I hear their stories and bring them to my conversations with leaders across the city to advocate for the resources we need to help our students succeed and achieve their dreams.”

BPS staff members won numerous awards this past school year. Luisa Sparrow from the Perry School was named 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year; Maya Smith at Fenway High School was named 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year; and Sugeily Santos from the Curley K-8 School was named both 2024 BPS and Massachusetts School Counselor of the Year.

Several BPS schools also received local, statewide and national recognitions:

Curley K-8 School and the Mattahunt Elementary School named “National Banner Schools” by Special Olympics USA for their work supporting our students with disabilities
Bradley Elementary School named a “National Distinguished School” for excellence in serving special populations of students
O’Donnell Elementary School recognized by Gov. Maura Healey and the Boston Celtics and others for reducing chronic absenteeism
Mattapan’s Mattahunt Elementary School received the $100,000 School on the Move prize from EdVestors in October.

BPS also made significant operational improvements across the district to create a foundation that is helping to improve academic systems and structures to ensure that students receive the highest quality educational experience.

More highlights from the 2024-2025 School Year in BPS:

BPS hosted the Aspen Challenge where 17 high school teams competed to present solutions to social issues facing students. Teams from Margarita Muñiz Academy, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers and Excel High School will travel to Aspen, CO to share their solutions on a national stage in June.
More than 90 Boston-area CEOs visited our schools for Principal Partners to understand the role of a Principal and the impact that a Principal can have on our students.
Boston Arts Academy’s Treble Allstars performed the National Anthem at Red Sox opening Day.
More than 300 pieces of student artwork were on display at Boston City Hall as part of showcasing our students’ incredible gifts.
Lang-Lang International Music Foundation Keys of Inspiration Program donates 25 pianos to Mario Umana Dual Language Academy.
Holmes School student Miguel Gonzalez was recognized by Mayor Wu during the 2025 State of the City Address, where she announced that BPS will be implementing advanced math programs inside our schools. Partnering with the Young People’s Project and the Calculus Project, we are launching math clubs, competitions, and advanced math communities so all of our students are empowered to take advanced math courses and understand that is where they belong.
Curley student Mendez Pierre performed his original piano piece entitled “Dream,” as part of the opening ceremony of Mayor Wu’s 2025 State of the City Address.
Boston Public Schools launches new website to highlight engaging stories about the work happening across BPS every day, and which features a redesigned navigation to make finding information easier
Curley K-8 School and the Mattahunt Elementary School named “National Banner Schools” by Special Olympics USA for their work supporting our students with disabilities
Bradley Elementary School named a “National Distinguished School” for excellence in serving special populations of students
Luisa Sparrow from the Perry School named 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.
Maya Smith, Associate Head of School at Fenway High School, named 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year.
Sugeily Santos from the Curley K-8 School named both 2024 BPS and Massachusetts School Counselor of the Year.
O’Donnell Elementary School recognized by Gov. Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Acting DESE Commissioner Russell Johnston, Boston Celtics and others for reducing chronic absenteeism
Mattapan’s Mattahunt Elementary School received the $100,000 School on the Move prize from EdVestors in October.
TechBoston Academy Football Coach Raul Brown named New England Patriots Coach of the Week.
Blackstone Elementary School is adopted as part of the New England Patriots Foundations “Adopt a School” program, focused on student attendance, and equitable literacy initiatives.
BPS students in K0, K1, K2, Grades 7 and 9 have the opportunity to learn in inclusive classrooms.
BPS expands programming for our multilingual learners, with nine new programs coming online for the 2025-2026 school year.
BPS Helpline fielded over 31,000 calls in seven of the major BPS languages, in addition to over 3,000 email and 200 walk requests for support during the 2024-2025 school year.
BPS partnered with ParentSquare, a district-wide communications system that allows for better communications with our students, families and staff.

BPS also advanced our vision for a High-Quality Student Experience by completing large construction projects that benefit our students:

The Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing moved into the renovated Edwards building in Charlestown, and the Warren-Prescott School expanded their Kindergarten programming.
We opened the brand new state-of-the-art Josiah Quincy Upper School building.
Ruth Batson Academy became our first University-assisted Community Hub School with UMASS Boston and was selected to move into the next phase of their application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), a significant step in updating the school’s facilities
The Shaw-Taylor School community came together this year as one unified school community, and is deep in the MSBA process for a new school building.
Boston Adult Technical Academy (BATA) celebrated the ribbon cutting of their East Boston campus.
The new building for the William Carter School is on track to open for the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.
The Philbrick and Sumner School communities are coming together as the Sarah Roberts Elementary School at the former Washington Irving Middle School building, which is on-track to open for the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.
The Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School received a multi-million dollar investment into modernization and accessibility upgrades on track to be completed by the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.

Boston Public Schools Earns National Recognition in Communications, Marketing, and Multimedia

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), a leader in school communication, recently honored Boston Public Schools’ (BPS) Office of Communications with several awards for excellence in strategic communications.

Boston Public Schools Celebrates 2025 Valedictorians

Get to know the 33 Boston Public Schools seniors graduating at the top of their class and representing 32 high schools across the district.

Events

Jun 20

Spirit Day

all day

Jun 20

Early Release for Students

all day

Jun 21

Saturday Recreational Tennis

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Jun 23

Last Day of School*

all day

Universal Design for Learning

What is Universal Design for Learning?

The National Center for Universal Design for Learning defines Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. UDL provides a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone rather than a one size fits all approach. Universal Design for Learning guides educators to use a flexible approach that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs.

www.cast.org/udl/

Universal Design for Learning provides a framework to guide teachers in planning lessons that provide multiple means of representation, means of engagement, and multiple means of action and expression.

Provide Multiple Means of Representation	Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression	Provide Multiple Means of Expressions
Perception	Physical action	Recruiting interest
Language, expressions and symbols	Expression and communication	Sustaining effort and persistence
Comprehension	Executive Functioning	Self-regulation

CAST (2011). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.0. Wakefield, MA: Author.

Two self-paced online modules are available to learn more about Universal Design for Learning.

Module 1: Introduction to UDL

Module 1 provides an opportunity for participants to:

1.    Understand the three principles of UDL
2.    Define the relationship between the principles and the three primary neural networks that are essential for learning
3.    Recognize the impact that UDL has when creating and implementing curriculum

http://udlonline.cast.org/page/module1/l131/;jsessionid=1C29C169FAB2C284A185D0346DC5B0FA

Module 2: Applying the UDL Framework to Lesson Development

Module 2 provides an opportunity for participants to:

1. Identify barriers and strengths within curricular goals, assessments, materials and methods.
2. Apply knowledge of the UDL framework, specifically the UDL Guidelines and UDL principles, to the lesson planning process
3. Use these skills to create lessons that maximize learning for all students.

http://udlonline.cast.org/page/module2/l192/