“METCO SHOWCASE” HIGHLIGHTS STREAMLINED APPLICATION PROCESS

“METCO SHOWCASE” on Dec. 10 in Dorchester Highlights New, Streamlined METCO Application Process

 Learn about FREE AND EXCEPTIONAL education at suburban schools, connect to Boston resources for community support

DON’T MISS IT! METCO will hold an afternoon of advice and support for Boston families seeking top educational opportunities for their children at the METCO SHOWCASE on Saturday, December 10 from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Boys & Girls Club, 15 Talbot Ave., Dorchester.

Along with information and assistance with the new and easy METCO application process and connection to community-based after-school activities and support services, parents and children can enjoy entertainment, snacks and raffle prizes.

Front and center is an introduction to the new streamlined METCO application process. The formerly complex procedure is now simplified to easily open the doors for Boston diverse students to receive a free, high-quality education at almost 200 exceptional suburban schools.

In the past, all families had to submit documentation of the child’s last two years of academic records and attendance. Now they only need to provide a parent/guardian ID, proof of Boston residency and their child’s birth certificate. (Suburban schools may ask for additional documents for grades 6-12 after the application process is complete.) In addition, prior to the new rules, parents did not have a choice regarding suburban school district referral. Now they can choose up to three suburban school districts, ranking them in their order of preference. If selected by the lottery to be referred, their children’s application will be sent to one of their top three school choices, as long as space is available.

Milly Arbaje-Thomas, METCO President and CEO shares: “We are very excited about this next step in METCO’s application process. In the last four years, we have worked hard to ensure our process is accessible, transparent and equitable. We transitioned to an online platform, implemented a lottery system and now we are putting school choice in the hands of parents, exactly where it belongs. I am extremely proud of this bold and necessary move. Selecting your child’s educational trajectory is one of the most important decisions that a parent has to make in their life. Parents deserve to have the opportunity to research their school options and make a selection based on their unique needs. At METCO, this is now possible. Join us at our Showcase to meet school districts, ask questions and make your choice!”

Arbaje-Thomas pointed out that the simplified METCO enrollment process represents a historic accomplishment, a landmark update that involved years of intense collaboration with parents, educators, district leaders and the Massachusetts Department of Secondary Education (DESE), which oversees METCO and must approve critical program and policy changes. She thanks the DESE team for supporting the simpler, more empowering process that METCO has developed.

To aid in choosing school districts, extensive District profiles have been created on the METCO website. Under consideration is the provision of virtual district open houses, bus tours and recruitment fairs to showcase districts and provide a solid basis for parent choice.

Applications for the 2023-24 school year may be submitted during the designated application windows between August 2022 and June 2023. The first lottery cycle closes on December 31, 2022. Apply now!

Arbaje-Thomas notes that METCO provides children with the opportunity to get a great education; make lifelong, interracial friendships; appreciate diversity and break down racial barriers and stereotypes; learn with children of all backgrounds through shared experiences; and prepare to become global citizens.

Parents can get more information, support with the application process, and answers to any questions they may have at the METCO SHOWCASE on December 10 or at a METCO in-person application assistance session. Application Support – METCO Incorporated. They can also get in-person support with their online application at METCO Headquarters at 11 Roxbury Street in Nubian Square. Wilmary Tejeda, Director of Enrollment Services, can be reached at 617-427-1545, ext. 119 for application assistance. www.metcoinc.org

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About METCO: Since its founding in 1966, Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students in predominantly white school districts, creating the opportunity for students in those districts to experience the advantages of learning in a racially and ethnically diverse setting. METCO supports over 3,100 families annually in 33 participating suburban school districts and 190 public schools, with graduation rates and college attainment far above state averages. Many have called METCO a major player in the effort to dismantle racism.