Education and Schools in Boston

The education system and schools in Boston are arguably the heart of America’s academic tradition. It is home to many prestigious academic institutions, including Harvard and MIT, as well as the oldest public education system in the US. Boston delivers education of exceptional quality, with parents having a wealth of excellent options for their children.

Families can choose from public schools (including charter and pilot programmes), alongside private and international institutions.

Public schools in Boston

The public school system in Boston benefits from Massachusetts’ well-funded state education system, which consistently ranks first nationally.

For Kindergarten through Grade 8, Boston uses a home-based assignment plan. Parents rank multiple schools within their catchment area, and the system assigns placements through an algorithm similar to a lottery. Families may not secure their first-choice school. Children with siblings in a particular school are given priority at that school.

It’s best to apply as early as possible to ensure the widest choice of schools. High school admissions work differently – students can apply to any school citywide, not just those in their catchment area. There are also publicly funded charter and pilot schools in Boston that have greater autonomy in their curriculum and teaching methods. That said, competition for places is fierce, and statewide waitlists contained over 20,000 applicants in 2025.

Read Education and Schools in the USA for more on the national education system.

Useful links

• Boston Public Schools: Registration and Welcome Services

Private and international schools in Boston

Private and international schools in Boston range from long-established preparatory academies and faith-based institutions to schools that offer progressive, alternative approaches to education.

International schools follow curricula from France, Germany and the UK, among others. Tuition varies widely across these institutions. Most offer extensive extracurricular programmes alongside exceptional facilities and teaching staff.

Read up on the Best International Schools in Boston

Special educational needs in Boston

When it comes to children with special educational needs in Boston, the city serves students with learning and developmental disabilities through well-established programmes.

There are multiple federal laws in place in the US to ensure that children with disabilities have fair access to quality education at no cost, regardless of state. All of Boston’s public schools include a Resource/Learning Centre equipped to provide specialised and individualised instruction for up to 10 students.

Both public and private schools usually have special programmes in place to support students with learning difficulties. Students with severe disabilities can access specialised facilities that offer programmes tailored to their specific needs. Boston currently operates three public special needs schools for students with disabilities.

Useful links

• Boston Public Schools: Special Education Programs
• Boston SpEdPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

Tutors in Boston

Thanks to Boston’s position as an educational powerhouse in the US, parents have an excellent choice of tutors in Boston to support their children. Students seek tutoring for various reasons – from catching up in maths to preparing for college entrance exams – and Boston offers numerous qualified private tutors.

It’s wise to start by asking the child’s school or other parents in the area for a recommendation. Families can also work with established tutoring companies. These companies offer various packages, including intensive subject-specific programmes, one one-on-one home sessions and small group instruction.

Private tutors help students address knowledge gaps, strengthen particular subjects and build confidence in unfamiliar academic environments.

Useful links

• Boston Tutoring Services
• Care.com: Boston Tutors
• Wyzant: Boston Area Tutors
• National Tutoring Association