CEO Recap: July 2026

As I reflect on the month of July, one word comes to mind: possibility.

This summer has been a beautiful reminder that when we invest in our young people, strengthen our families, and cultivate meaningful partnerships, there is no limit to what the METCO community can achieve.

This month, we were proud to send 10 of our students to participate in Jaylen Brown's Bridge Program through the 7uice Foundation in Cambridge. We are incredibly grateful to the Foundation for generously reserving these opportunities for METCO students ages 14 and older, giving them hands-on exposure to careers and innovation in the STEAM fields. Experiences like these expand horizons and remind our students that they belong in every room where ideas are created and futures are shaped.

July also marked the official launch of something we've dreamed about for quite some time—our first-ever METCO Youth Council. In partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, we welcomed 20 remarkable students who will spend the coming year conducting Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), engaging in civic leadership, and examining issues impacting both their Boston communities and their receiving districts. I cannot wait to see the ideas they develop, the questions they ask, and the change they create. The future of METCO is already in good hands.

Another exciting milestone this month was the launch of our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston. Through this collaboration, eligible Weston METCO families now have access to affordable homeownership opportunities. We were thrilled to host our first information session this month, and while interest was so overwhelming that we reached capacity quickly, this is only the beginning. If you weren't able to attend, don't worry—applications remain open, and additional information sessions will be offered in the months ahead. We look forward to helping more METCO families explore the dream of homeownership.

We also have wonderful news on the advocacy front. Thanks to the unwavering support of our legislative champions and community advocates, METCO secured a $1 million increase in our State House budget, along with an additional $1 million through the Fair Share Act. These investments represent more than funding—they represent belief in our students, confidence in our mission, and a commitment to ensuring METCO continues to thrive for generations to come.

As summer begins to wind down, I hope you'll join us for one of my favorite traditions of the year—our Back-to-School Block Party on Saturday, August 22nd. It is one of the few opportunities each year where students, families, alumni, staff, and community partners gather simply to celebrate one another. I can't wait to reconnect, welcome new faces into the METCO family, and kick off another incredible school year together.

Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission, our students, and one another. The work we do is only possible because of this extraordinary community, and I am honored to be building the future of METCO alongside each of you.

With gratitude,

Kandice Sumner
President & CEO
#METCOMADEME