BOSTON — Boston Public Schools superintendent Mary Skipper is recommending the permanent closure of Excel High School at the end of the 2025-2026 school year as part of a wide-ranging rehaul plan for the district.
The school would close as part of the process of implementing the Boston School Committee’s Long-Term Facilities plan, Superintendent Mary Skipper said in a letter to families Monday night.
Skipper says the Long-Term Facilities plan, which, if approved, will begin on January 22, includes “a number of school closures, a merger, and plans for grade reconfigurations” and hopes to be in place by the 2026-2027 academic year.
“We understand that news of closures can bring a range of emotions for students, families, and staff. We also know that these steps are necessary to ensure that every student has a high-quality seat in each of our schools – with high-quality options close to home. We have been in close contact with your school leader, Nachelle Gordon, and will have district support at your school tomorrow as you process this news,” Skipper said in a letter to school families.
“Throughout the transition process, we commit to working closely with each and every Excel family and providing personalized support to help identify schools that best meet each student’s needs and aspirations,” Skipper continued.
The Boston Teachers Union said in a statement that Excel High is one of four schools that BPS plans to shutter.
“For far too long, many students in Boston have been denied equitable access to modern, sustainable, well-ventilated, and learning-centered school buildings like those that students in other districts benefit from. School closures are always disruptive to students and communities. District officials must ensure that school closures, regardless of their rationale, are paired with a more aggressive and detailed commitment to the construction and renovation of new, modern, world-class learning environments for our students,” the teachers union said in a statement. “To achieve the stated goals of the district’s own long-term facility plan – to ensure a ‘high quality student experience close to home’ – it is imperative that the district commit to completing the construction of at least three buildings annually and should detail such a plan to the public in the coming weeks, not years. The conversation cannot be simply about whether to retain or close poorly crumbling and dilapidated buildings – the conversation must be about how soon the district can complete the construction and renovations necessary to provide high-quality learning environments for every single BPS student, without exception.”
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Skipper are expecting to discuss the proposals during a virtual briefing on Tuesday morning.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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