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APPLYING TO METCO

Do you live in Boston? Is your child going to be in Kindergarten or higher starting next Fall? These are the four steps to becoming part of METCO.

1

Determine Your Eligibility

Is METCO a good fit for my family?

Any Boston resident can apply to METCO and participate in the lottery for referral to a partner district. METCO places students from racially segregated Boston neighborhoods into racially isolated suburban schools as described in the Racial Imbalance Act of 1965 and the METCO Bill of 1968. You should also understand what is involved in METCO before you apply, so you know that METCO is a good fit for your family.

2

Complete Your Application

What do I need to do to enroll in METCO?

The process to apply for METCO is different from registering for a school in Boston. Expect to spend some time looking at METCO’s partner communities, making sure you have documents proving your residency and parenting roles, and then using our online system to upload all your information.

3

Enter the Referral Lottery

How do I get matched with a district?

Your ranked preference of district plays a role in where your child ends up, but exactly when you learn that result is essentially random. That’s because each school district has a different number of available seats, and operates on its own timeline—as early as Deember, and as late as October after school starts.

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4

Meet Your School District

What happens when I get a referral?

Every METCO district is different. If your application is matched to a district, there may be a few important steps to complete. Be sure to respond to any communications from the METCO directors and counselors at the school. Complete any additional paperwork. At this time, you should share any special education needs, and the district will determine the availability of those services there. And be sure to ask all of your questions!

  • Where is my closest bus stop?

  • Is there breakfast at school?

  • Is there a late bus for students attending after school activities?

  • What academic supports are available?

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