Mission
Our mission is to provide students with educational opportunities designed to enrich their
academic, personal and interpersonal experiences. It is our belief that the METCO experience
should provide a strong academic foundation, as well as an environment rich in cultural,
educational, ethnic and racial diversity.
Purpose
The METCO program was established to provide opportunity for children from racially imbalanced
schools in Boston and children from isolated suburban schools to learn
together in an integrated public school setting.
METCO strives to increase the diversity and reduce the racial isolation in the receiving
districts so that the students from different backgrounds can learn from each other in
meaningful ways.
The METCO program also provides a closer understanding and cooperation between
urban and suburban parents and other citizens in the Boston Metropolitan area.
About METCO
The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, Inc. (METCO, Inc.), a private, nonprofit
organization founded in 1966 is the service provider for the Metropolitan Boston METCO
program. The METCO program has approximately 3,300 students from Boston and
Springfield attending public schools in participating suburban communities. Funded by the
State Legislature, under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76; 12A and administered by
the Massachusetts Department of Education, the METCO program is the second oldest
voluntary inter-district school assignment program in the country dedicated to increasing
diversity and reducing racial isolation.
METCO Parent Handbook
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.
College Attendance Rate
- 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.
Applications
METCO, Inc.’s Intake department is available to take applications for
prospective students. The names are then placed on a waiting list by date of
application. For children registered after age 4, currently, it may take from
four to five years for a new applicant to start the referral process.
METCO, Inc. has responsibility for facilitating referral of all students to a
participating METCO school system.
For more information about the program visit: