Massachusetts METCO Program
METCO is a voluntary school grant program, connecting Boston and Springfield public school students with higher-performing suburban public schools. The program provides transportation and support services to help students from urban schools access quality public education in participating suburban districts.
Program Type: Voluntary grant program
Who METCO Serves: Students residing in Boston or Springfield who wish to attend suburban public schools
Current Participation: Approximately 3,300 students participate across:
- 38 metro Boston districts
- 4 Springfield-area districts
Tuition: $0 – Completely FREE. No tuition or fees.
Transportation: FREE transportation provided from Boston/Springfield to participating suburban districts
How METCO Works:
- Boston or Springfield families apply to the METCO program
- Applications are typically submitted through the student’s current school or directly to METCO
- Students are placed in participating suburban districts
- Free transportation provided to and from school
- Support services provided to help students transition and succeed
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a resident of Boston or Springfield
- No income restrictions
- No academic requirements
- Program is open to students in all grades (K-12)
Benefits:
- Access to high-performing suburban school districts
- Smaller class sizes
- Greater resources and extracurricular opportunities
- Diverse learning environments
- Free transportation eliminates family burden
- Support services for students and families
Application Process:
- Contact your current school’s guidance office or METCO directly
- Submit application (timing varies; contact METCO for current deadlines)
- Waitlists may apply depending on available seats in suburban districts
Participating Suburban Districts: 38 metro Boston districts and 4 Springfield-area districts participate. Contact METCO for a complete list of participating districts and available seats.
Important Considerations:
- Transportation time can be significant depending on home location and receiving district
- Students may face long commutes (30-60+ minutes each way)
- Program emphasizes both academic achievement and cultural diversity
- Family commitment is important for student success