Madison Park Celebrates Early College Program with Record Number of Students Earning Associate Degree

The RoxMAPP Early College program enables Madison Park students to earn college credits while still in high school, accelerating their path to college and career success.

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Celebrates Early College Program with Record Number of Students Earning Associate Degree

Boston, MA - June 4, 2025 - Madison Park Technical Vocational High School is proud to announce and celebrate the outstanding achievements of its RoxMAPP Early College students who earned their associate degree from Bunker Hill Community College on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Throughout the course of the program, these remarkable students demonstrated exceptional commitment to academic excellence while completing rigorous vocational training and college-level coursework simultaneously. Their accomplishments are a testament to the power of determination, focus, and the transformative opportunities made possible through Madison Park's RoxMAPP Early College program.

Please join us in congratulating the following graduates:

Cesar Pena Chicas – Electricity
Abu Sayem – Electricity
Matthias Kebede – Marketing
Beautiful Smith – Auto Technology
Mia Melo – Health Assisting
Kayla Saint Felix – Health Assisting
Naphtkie Desrosiers – Dental Assisting

This brings the total number of RoxMAPP Early College graduates in 2025 to 23, a record-setting achievement for Madison Park and a powerful example of what is possible when students are equipped with the right tools, guidance, and support.

“We are incredibly proud of these students,” said Mr. Paul Neal, Head of School at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. “Earning a high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time is no small feat. These young scholars have shown what is possible when opportunity meets preparation.”

"The RoxMAPP Early College program at Madison Park is truly transformative,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “It provides students with an invaluable head start on their post-secondary education, equipping them with both academic knowledge and practical career skills. This integrated approach not only reduces the financial burden of college but also ensures our graduates are exceptionally well-prepared for the workforce or continued higher education."

The RoxMAPP Early College program enables Madison Park students to earn college credits while still in high school, accelerating their path to college and career success. This milestone not only reflects their hard work but also the power of partnerships between Boston Public Schools and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) to expand access and equity in higher education.

“This program is about access, equity, and belief in our students’ potential,” said Taneka DeGrace, Assistant Head of School at Madison Park and RoxMAPP Program Director. “Our RoxMAPP scholars have embraced the challenge, shown resilience, and earned degrees that will shape their future. They are walking proof that early college works and we’re just getting started.”

“It’s an extreme honor to work with Ms. Taneka DeGrace and her RoxMAPP Early College Program at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School to create opportunities for students to earn college-level credits and potentially an associate degree prior to graduating high school,” said Steve Prudent, Director of High School Partnerships & Pathways at BHCC. “The College is excited to welcome another group of Madison Park Early College scholars to BHCC’s community of graduates. Their success speaks volumes about their focus and determination to achieve at a high level.”

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About Madison Park Technical Vocational High School

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School is the only vocational high school in the Boston Public Schools district. It offers students a robust education that integrates academic rigor with technical training, preparing graduates for success in both college and their careers.

About the RoxMAPP Program

Designated as an Early College High School in 2019, RoxMAPP is a partnership between Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School (MPTVHS). The program offers students free, BHCC-transferable college courses beginning as early as 9th grade. These classes count toward both high school graduation and college credit, allowing students to earn an Associate's Degree from BHCC by the time they graduate from high school.

5th Quarter Programming

Extended School Year

Extended School Year (ESY) is a five-week summer program for students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams have identified as at risk for substantial regression of skills over the summer. Not every student with a disability will be eligible for ESY.

ESY provides targeted support to help students maintain and strengthen key skills outlined in their IEP, some of which include:

Academic support
Social-emotional development
Related services
Pre-vocational and vocational training
Enrichment activities

Visit the Specialized Services website for more information and to learn how to enroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Extended School Year (ESY) Information

Q: What summer programming is the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) providing during Summer 2025?

A: The Office of Specialized Services (OSS) provides Extended School Year (ESY), a five-week program designed to offer special education services as outlined in students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Students eligible for this program have been identified by their IEP teams as being at risk of significant skill regression during the summer. Not all students with disabilities are eligible for ESY.

Q: What are the dates of the Extended School Year Program?

A: July 7, 2025 - August 8, 2025

May 1: If your child has a 1:1 nurse and/or 1:1 paraprofessional, please confirm their attendance by May 1, 2025 so we can ensure staffing is in place for the first day of ESY.
June 2: Enroll by June 2, 2025 to ensure transportation on the first day. Transportation eligibility depends on IEP services, home base, and mileage requirements.

Q: What services and curriculum will be provided for my child at Extended School Year (ESY)?

A: ESY focuses on reinforcing and maintaining critical skills through individualized learning based on IEP goals. The program includes academic support in literacy, math, and other core subjects, social-emotional development, related services (e.g., speech and occupational therapy), and enrichment activities such as pre-vocational skills training. The goal is to ensure continued progress in a structured and supportive environment. Families have four options for participation:
Your child will attend ESY and use school bus transportation.
Your child will attend ESY but will not use school bus transportation.
Your child will attend ESY for related services only (no transportation included).
Your child will not attend ESY and understands that the district is not obligated to provide compensatory services for missed services.

Q: Can my child attend Extended School Year (ESY) for Related Services Only?

A: Students can attend Extended School Year (ESY) for related services only, per the student’s IEP. If families choose to receive related services only, they
must provide their own transportation to the Extended School Year (ESY) sites.

Q: Will my child continue to receive their 1:1 nurse and/or 1:1 paraprofessional during ESY?

A: Yes, if your child’s IEP includes a 1:1 nurse and/or 1:1 paraprofessional, these services will be provided during ESY. However, to ensure staffing is in place for the first day of ESY, you must confirm your student’s attendance by Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Fifth Quarter Summer Learning Academies

Q: What are 5th Quarter Summer Learning Academies?

A: Fifth Quarter Summer Learning Academies are five-week, non-credit
programs that focus on academic enrichment and activities like outdoor
exploration, arts, and sports, aimed at limiting summer learning loss and
promoting academic academic achievement, social-emotional skills, and wellness.

Q: Will the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Academies Meet My Student’s Individualized Education Plan?

A: No. Boston Public Schools offers 5th Quarter Summer Learning
Academies to provide students with access and opportunity to summer
enrichment programming as an alternative to Extended School Year. Fifth
Quarter is not designed to meet IEP requirements. While efforts will be made to provide academic and related services, full IEP compliance cannot be guaranteed.

Students attending 5th Quarter will be considered to have opted out of ESY and will not be eligible for compensatory services.

School Sites

Q: What site will my child be assigned to?

A: We aim to assign students to schools closest to their homes with
staff who can meet the needs of students as outlined on their IEPs.
Students with higher needs will be assigned in cohorts with their
classmates. Assignment details, including school site, address, and
hours, will be provided with enrollment information.

Q: How do I enroll my child?
A: Families have two options to enroll in ESY this year:

Respond via ParentSquare: Enrollment information and reminders will be sent via ParentSquare, including key updates and forms. Simply respond to complete the enrollment. Reminders will continue through June unless you enroll or opt out of ESY.
Complete the enrollment form using Frevvo, an online platform that allows you to fill out and submit your form with digital signatures. You’ll need your child’s last name, date of birth, and student ID number. To submit an online confirmation for your student, please find information under "How to enroll" above.

Q: Can I change the site my child is scheduled to attend?

A: BPS considers site change requests on a case by case basis. If you’d like to request an Extended School Year (ESY) site change, please email
esy@bostonpublicschools.org. Include student name(s), student ID#(s) and reason(s) for request. A staff member from the Office of Specialized Services will get back to you regarding your inquiry. Information for all sites can be found below under "School Sites".

Q: My student has health needs that need to be addressed during the school day. Will there be a nurse on site?

A: Each site will have a nurse on staff. If your child needs medication,
please provide a current doctor’s note. Doctor’s Notes from the school year do not carry over, so you’ll need to submit a new one. Parents and Caregivers should bring the medication directly to the ESY nurse. Medication cannot be sent with the student or kept in the backpack.

Q: How can I get in touch with my child’s Extended School Year (ESY) teacher?

A: We encourage families to attend our Open House on Thursday, June
26, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at each school site. This will be a great
opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and staff.

If you need to connect with the teacher before the program begins, site coordinator contact information will be available below. Additionally, teachers will reach out to families prior to the start of ESY.

Transportation

Q: Will transportation be provided for my child to attend Extended School Year (ESY)?

A: Transportation will be provided for students whose IEPs include transportation services and whose families have confirmed their need for transportation through the ESY enrollment process by Monday, June 2, 2025, to ensure a bus assignment for the first day of ESY. Requests made after this date will be processed on a rolling basis, typically within one week.

Transportation eligibility is based on a student’s IEP services, home base, and mileage requirements. Students who receive corner transportation during the school year will either continue with corner transportation or walk if they live within their ESY site's walk zone. Students in 7th grade and up without specialized transportation can continue using their M7 MBTA pass throughout the summer.

Families can track buses using the Zum App and are encouraged to upload their child’s photo for easy identification. If your address has changed, please update it at a Welcome Center to avoid delays in transportation.

For questions or concerns, contact the Department of Transportation through the Transportation Support Portal.

Helpful Links

Attendance

Q: My family is taking a vacation or my child is attending a camp during the Extended School Year (ESY) program. Are they able to return when it’s over?

A: Yes, your child may attend at any time the program is in session. If you know the specific dates your student will be attending, please share those dates with your child’s Extended School Year Site Coordinator, so that we can effectively plan for your student.

Q: Will my child be promoted to the next grade if they are unable to attend?

A: ESY program does not impact grade promotion.

Additional Questions

Mental Health Services

Please visit Behavioral Health Services for information on how to access summer mental health services for your child.