Boston Public Schools Middle School Pathways Resource Guide

 

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What are Middle School Pathways?

For students in general education programs, every BPS elementary school is connected to a middle school or K-8 school. This is called a “pathway” school. There is one high school pathway school: Lyon High School is a guaranteed pathway for students at the Lyon K-8 School.
 

Does my child have to go to his or her pathway school?

Students are not required to attend their middle school pathway. However, middle school pathways do provide elementary students with a guaranteed seat at a specific middle school.
 

How do I register for my pathway school?

In January of each year, elementary students who are in their exit grade (the last grade they can attend at their current school) will receive a letter confirming their middle school pathway school. Families have two options at this point:

1. If you want your child to attend their assigned pathway school: you don't have to do anything. Your child will automatically be registered and assigned to their pathway school.

2. If you want your child to enroll at a different BPS school: you must contact Welcome Services and participate in the registration process to select a new BPS school.
    

School Year 2022-2023 6th Grade Expansions 

BPS has announced the following schools will add a 6th grade in 2022-23:

1. Mozart Elementary School
2. John Philbrick Elementary School
3. Phineas Bates Elementary School
4. James Chittick Elementary School
5. Henry Grew Elementary School 
6. David Ellis Elementary School
7. Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School
8. John F. Kennedy Elementary School
9. Charles Taylor Elementary School
10. Winship Elementary School
11. John Winthrop Elementary School
12. Blackstone Innovation School
13. Ellis Mendell Elementary School
14. Charles Sumner Elementary School

 

The following K-5 school does not have a guaranteed pathway for grade 6 in 2022-2023:

1. William Russell Elementary School

 

Updates from BPS are forthcoming. Call BPS' registration hotline for more information at (617) 635-9046.

 

If your child is in 5th grade at a 6th grade expansion school:

Your child can remain at their school for 6th grade next year. Ask your child's school about how you will indicate your preference to remain.
 

If your child is in a K-5 school that doesn't have a 6th grade expansion: 

You may rank 6th grade expansion schools on your BPS school choice list, but understand those seats are not guaranteed. Boston School Finder advises families to rank additional grade 6 (and beyond) options for your child for next year. You can browse your 6th grade options here via our School Finder Tool.
 

Middle School Pathways List for School Year 2022-2023

Sending School	Exit Grade	Guaranteed Pathway School
Dudley Street Neighborhood School	5	Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy
Mason Elementary	5	Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy
Baldwin Early Learning Pilot Academy	1	Edison K-8 School
Mather Elementary	5	Frederick Pilot Middle School
UP Academy Holland	5	Frederick Pilot Middle School
Higginson K-2	2	Higginson-Lewis 3-8
Lyon K-8 School	8	Lyon High School
Ellison/Parks Early Education School	3	Mildred Avenue K-8 School
Shaw Pauline A Elementary	3	Mildred Avenue K-8 School
Beethoven Elementary	2	Ohrenberger School
Quincy Elementary	5	Quincy Upper School
Lee Academy	3	Young Achievers K-8 School

Middle School Pathways Map