Secondary Education in Boston: The Non-Exam Schools that Educate Almost Three-Quarters of BPS’ High Schoolers

Tracking Grades 9-12 Enrollment, Student Characteristics and Academic Achievement in Non-Exam Schools

Boston’s three exam schools command considerable public attention, but they educate only 26.9% of Boston Public Schools (BPS) students in grades 9-12. Meanwhile, more than seven out of every ten high schoolers in BPS attended the district’s other 31 schools serving high school grades in school year 2025-2026. This Special Report presents data on these 31 non-exam schools and the students in grades 9-12 who attend them. How has enrollment in non-exam schools changed over the past ten years? How well does the capacity of existing school buildings align with current enrollment? How do student needs and attendance vary across these schools? Are 9-12 graders in non-exam schools meeting key benchmarks of academic achievement and postsecondary readiness?

Report Objectives

This report provides information and insights on BPS high schoolers in non-exam schools:

• • Enrollment Trends and Building Capacity
  • English Learners, Low-Income Students, Students Requiring Special Education & Chronic Absenteeism
  • Academic Outcomes
  • Recommendations for BPS planning and operations to better serve these students

To learn more about Boston’s non-exam high schools, read the full report here: