The METCO Program

For forty years, the Massachusetts Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program has been transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of students by providing access to quality education for urban students and fostering more diverse classrooms in 190 suburban schools located in eastern and western Massachusetts.  Since 1966, more than 10,000 METCO students have graduated from these participating suburban districts and most have gone on to higher education, degrees and professional jobs. 

Annually, there are approximately 12,000 Boston children on the METCO waiting list for an average of 460 openings.  The typical wait for an open seat in a participating Boston METCO community public school is nearly five years.  There are no entrance exams for students entering the program and openings are filled according to the waiting list.  METCO enrollment is for students of color currently residing in the Boston metropolitan area. 

The cost to the State is approximately $4,200 per student, including transportation, supportive services and the cost of all direct program staffing.  If these student were in Boston, or in Charter Schools, or residents of the districts where they attend schools, the cost to the state would be nearly double in all cases, and possibly three times that in other cases.  METCO undoubtedly pays high dividends to the State in student achievements, efficiency of cost and impact on integration of suburban districts. 

In 2004, 100% of METCO seniors passed the 10^th grade English and Math MCAS exams enabling them to graduate on time.  METCO students attend college at nearly the same rate as their suburban classmates.  Ten percent more METCO graduates attend colleges than the statewide average.  METCO students select four-year, degree granting colleges nearly twice as often as their friends and neighbors attending Boston schools.

 Lincoln Elementary has participated in the METCO program since the early 1970's.  Hundreds of students have graduated from Melrose High School since the beginning of the program.  Currently, the Lincoln has  20 students in grades ranging from kindergarten through 5^th. 

The state METCO office is located in Roxbury, Massachusetts.  Jean McGuire is the Executive Director and the office can be reached at 617-427-1545.  In addition, each school district has a local director.  For more information regarding METCO in Melrose, please contact Doreen Ward, Melrose METCO Director, 781-462-2137.  Information can also be found on the website at www.metroinc.org.