The METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunities) program, a voluntary integration program founded in 1966, provides a suburban public school education for African-American, Hispanic, and Asian students from Boston. Belmont typically includes about 125 students annually from Boston as part of the METCO program.

This program fosters a broader educational and social experience for both suburban and urban children and their families. METCO students participate in all aspects of the academic and  extracurricular life of the schools and are supported by the METCO Director and staff.

 Metco Student Handbook, 2010

METCO Accomplishments

The METCO program has raised student achievement scores, enhanced graduation levels and fostered college attendance for Boston and Springfield students of color since 1966. In turn, it has brought an integrated learning experience to predominantly white student populations in suburban classrooms.

METCO Students Attend College

• METCO students attend college at nearly the same rate as their suburban classmates.
• Ten percent more METCO graduates attend college than the statewide average.
• METCO students select four-year, degree granting colleges nearly twice as often as their friends and neighbors attending Boston schools.

MCAS Graduation Requirement

The Massachusetts English and Math MCAS graduation requirement is no barrier to METCO students. Their passing rates exceed the Massachusetts state average.

• 100% of METCO seniors in 2004 passed the 10th grade English and Math MCAS enabling them to graduate on time. 
• Nearly 100% of their suburban classmates also passed the MCAS requirement.

For more information about the program:

 Massachusetts Department of Education METCO page

 METCO, Inc. web site