Boston Public Schools (BPS) is set to propose the closure of Charlestown High School as part of a broader plan to address declining enrollment across the district. The proposal, expected to be presented to the Boston School Committee later this week, includes relocating three schools, expanding two, and reconfiguring others, with Charlestown High being the only school identified for closure at this time.
Under the plan, Charlestown High would stop enrolling new seventh-grade students starting with the 2028-2029 school year. Current students in grades 11 and 12 would be allowed to graduate through June 2028, and remaining students would be given registration priority for other schools in the district for the following year. The announcement was accompanied by a statement from Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper acknowledging the difficulty of the decision and the strong emotions it has stirred within the Charlestown High community.
The proposal comes amid ongoing demographic shifts affecting Boston’s public schools, including lower birthrates and a slowdown in immigration, which have contributed to overall enrollment declines. Officials view the proposed changes as part of a long-term effort to better align district resources with current student populations.
The possible closure has drawn mixed reactions from city officials, educators, and families. City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata has called for a public hearing to review the plan, underscoring the community’s attachment to Charlestown High. “Charlestown High is beloved in the community,” she said, emphasizing the emotional impact such closures carry.
City Councilor Erin Murphy criticized the district for what she characterized as insufficient communication and planning around school closures. Murphy highlighted that promises of priority registration are not enough and called for greater transparency to help families make informed decisions. She cited the example of Henderson Inclusion School in Dorchester, which is set to phase out its high school grades next year, resulting in some students transferring to Charlestown High. Murphy questioned the lack of clarity around the district’s broader strategy: “Why don’t we trust our families to know the bigger plan?”
BPS officials defended the proposal process, noting that the district now provides an 18-month transition period prior to school closures, contrasting with shorter notices in the past. They described the planned changes as part of a deliberate approach to realign schools amid shifting enrollment trends.
The Boston Teachers Union (BTU) has also expressed concern about the closure proposal. BTU President Erik Berg emphasized that no school should be closed without guaranteeing better options for affected students. He pledged to work toward amplifying the voices of Charlestown High educators, students, and families in the upcoming weeks.
Local families affected by the announcement have spoken out as well. Destin Montecalvo, whose son began attending Charlestown High as a ninth-grader last fall, said the news has been difficult to process. She credited the school with fostering confidence in her son and expressed concern over the closure’s impact on the community. Her son, Giovanni, described Charlestown High as the best school he has attended, praising its supportive teachers and the opportunities it provides.
As Boston Public Schools prepares to present its plan, the debate over the future of Charlestown High underscores the challenges districts face nationwide as demographics evolve and resources must be reallocated.