776 Students Face Potential Closure at Charlestown High

776 students attend the schools targeted for closure under a new Boston City proposal, a figure cited by Boston Teachers Union President Erik Berg to illustrate the immediate impact of the plan.

The proposal would close Charlestown High and two other schools in June 2028. City leaders say the move addresses a steep drop in enrollment. Mayor Michelle Wu supports the plan, arguing that public education dollars are currently spent keeping half-empty buildings open. "We want these spaces to be ones where students can access the fullest range of opportunities, and that means making some hard decisions sometimes," Wu said.

Community members voiced opposition at a meeting of the Boston Public Schools Committee on Wednesday. Students described their emotional ties to their campuses. One student asked the committee to listen, noting that low enrollment numbers on paper did not capture the daily reality in classrooms. "I want to continue going here," the student said. "I want to be an alumni, and continue to come back for reunions."

Berg warned that the closures would affect 193 educators, including teachers who have served in those communities for decades. BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper attributed the recommendation to declining enrollment. She stated that the proposal was not a reflection of the care or expertise of the school leaders and staff.

The city will proceed with the evaluation of the three schools. The proposed closure date remains June 2028. Committee members will review the feedback from the Wednesday session before making a final decision.