Being a METCO district means being a part of a unique and historic effort for racial justice. Each participating town and city voted to join the program between 1966 and 1974, and has included cohorts ranging from 35 to 422 Boston students in their schools and communities ever since. By many measures, these schools represent the very top tier of public education in the state, and even in the United States. Participating in METCO is part of this excellence, enabling its students to learn alongside peers with wider range of cultural and economic backgrounds.