Boston students protest planned Charlestown High closure

Boston City Council members will vote on December 2 to determine if Charlestown High School will close its doors in June 2028. The proposal would leave the building vacant during the 2028-2029 academic year before another public school takes over the facility.

The Boston Public Schools district cited a sharp decline in student numbers as the primary reason for the move. Enrollment at the high school fell from 820 students to 559 over a three-year period. District officials stated that this 32 percent reduction makes it harder to maintain necessary programs and resources for the remaining students.

Mayor Michelle Wu noted that some district funds are currently ending up in schools that are mostly empty. She emphasized that the decision is part of a larger process and that such changes do not happen overnight. The Boston School Committee met to discuss the potential closure of this school along with two other campuses.

Students, teachers, and families gathered outside the Bolling building on Wednesday to voice their opposition. Many participants learned of the proposal on Monday morning. They argued that the school community should have been consulted before the plan was announced to the public.

Estrella Guerrero, a teacher at Charlestown High, criticized the lack of early communication. She stated that the process felt unfair because leaders did not speak with families or staff first. Guerrero expressed concern about students receiving special services who currently lack a clear plan for where they will go if the school closes.

Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata has requested a public hearing before the City Council. She wants to give the local community another chance to express their concerns before the final vote is cast. The proposal remains under active discussion as the committee weighs the financial and educational impacts.