The METC O Program

What is METCO? METCO is a voluntary, state funded program designed to expand educational opportunities, increase cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity, and reduce racial isolation in participating urban and suburban communities by busing urban students to 33 suburban communities outside the Boston area.

Another purpose of the METCO program is to facilitate partnership between urban and suburban families, educators, and other stake holders in the sending and receiving communities.

Frequently Asked Questions: How long has METCO been in existence? METCO has been in existence since How is METCO funded? The program is funded by a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Funding must be approved annually by the legislature. There is no guarantee of annual funding. Is there a residency requirement for METCO students? METCO students must reside in the Greater Boston or metropolitan area (Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston and West Roxbury).

How many METCO students are there in the districts? –Each district has determined a maximum seat allocation number. METCO students may be admitted at this maximum number, but METCO enrollment may also be decreased at the discretion of the districts to compensate for increases in resident student enrollment. The maximum METCO enrollment in Sharon is 67 students. Are resident students denied space due to the placement of a METCO student? – No. Placement of METCO students is based on available seating in each school.

Isn’t METCO for students of low- income families? –Family income is not a determining factor in applying for or participation in the METCO Program. METCO families encompass a broad range of income levels.

How many students are there in METCO? –At any given time, there are approximately 3,300 students participating in district METCO programs. Is there a waiting list for METCO? –Yes. The number of students varies, but as of April 2004, the METCO waiting list was at 16,500 students.

In which grades are METCO students placed? –METCO generally places students in grades K-12; however, decisions regarding grade level acceptance and placement are generally left to the discretion of the districts, and can vary annually based on various factors including, but not limited to, individual class enrollment sizes. Sharon has students in grades K-12.

Is there a support system in place for METCO students in the receiving districts? –Yes. METCO districts usually employ a Director/Coordinator to act as a liaison for the district. There may also be other support staff including bus monitors, academic aides/tutors, and social workers.

Sharon METCO Sharon’s participation began in Presently, 67 students are enrolled in Sharon in grades K-12. Students are referred to the community from a central database in Boston on a first come, first served based. Sharon prefers to accept students in the lower grades, if space is available.

Additional Information: Afrika Afeni Mills METCO Director , ext Office located in the Sharon High School Library