Boston Public Schools

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Located:	Boston
Students:	57,000
Staff:	8,814
Schools:	145, pre-K through Grade 12
Founded:	1647
Budget:	$734.5 million in FY07
Website:	http://www.bostonpublicschools.org

Pictured, from left to right, Eli Broad presents the 2006 Broad Prize for Urban Education to Boston Public Schools officials: Elizabeth Reilinger, Chair of the Boston School Committee; Michael G. Contompasis, Superintendent; Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and former Superintdent Thomas W. Payzant.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) is a school district serving the city of Boston, Massachusetts.

In September 2006, the district was named the top city school system in the nation, winning the Broad Prize for Urban Education. The prize, sponsored by philanthropist Eli Broad, includes $500,000 in college scholarships to graduates from the winning district. Each year since the prize program began in 2002, Boston has been one of five finalists, earning $125,000 in scholarships each year.

1 Overview
2 Leadership
3 History: First in the U.S.
4 Distinguished Alumni
5 External links

[edit] Overview

The district serves approximately 57,000 students, in pre-kindergarten through adult education, in 145 schools. Nearly 75% of the students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch. Approximately 20% of students have disabilities and are served in special education programs. Almost 17% of students are English language learners.

[edit] Leadership

The district is led by a Superintendent, hired by the Boston School Committee, a seven-member school board appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. The School Committee sets policy for the district and approves the district's annual operating budget. This governing body replaced a 13-member elected Committee after a public referendum vote in 1991. The Superintendent serves as a member of the Mayor's cabinet.

From October 1995 through June 2006, Dr. Thomas W. Payzant served as Superintendent. A former Undersecretary in the US Department of Education, Dr. Payzant was the first Superintendent selected by the appointed School Committee. Upon Dr. Payzant's retirement, Chief Operating Officer Michael G. Contompasis, former Headmaster of Boston Latin School, became Interim Superintendent, and was appointed Superintendent in October 2006. Dr. Manuel J. Rivera, currently Superintendent of the Rochester City School District, will become the next Superintendent of the BPS, beginning in the summer of 2007.

[edit] History: First in the U.S.

BPS is the oldest public school system in America, founded in 1647. It is also the home of the nation's first public school, Boston Latin School, founded in 1635. The Mather Elementary School opened in 1639 as the nation's first public elementary school, and English High School, the first public high school in the country, opened in 1821.