Charlestown High School faces potential closure in 2028

Boston Public Schools has proposed closing Charlestown High School, a plan that would take effect in June 2028 if approved. The district also intends to close two other high schools and make changes to two additional secondary schools.

Officials point to enrollment data to justify the move. BPS reports that student numbers at Charlestown High fell by 32 percent over the last three years. The building currently operates at 53 percent capacity. The district states that another secondary school could eventually occupy the space, though it has not yet identified which school would move in.

The proposal drew immediate resistance from the local community. At a school committee meeting on Wednesday, parents, students, and teachers filled the room to argue that the school serves as a community hub rather than just an educational facility. Students cheered one another during their remarks, emphasizing the personal connections formed within the building.

One student told the committee, "This school has given me opportunities, friendships, and a place where I feel at home." Earlier in the week, a group of students confronted Superintendent Mary Skipper at the high school to voice their anger over the planned closure.

Two meetings are scheduled for Thursday night to continue the discussion. A virtual BPS meeting will be held alongside an in-person neighborhood council session. The school committee is expected to vote on the proposal on December 2.

If the plan passes, current students at Charlestown High will receive priority for new school assignments. The district has not released specific details on where those students will be placed.