Boston Public Schools launches Great Starts registration platform for families

Boston Public Schools (BPS) has launched a new family-friendly registration platform called Great Starts, aimed at simplifying the enrollment process for families. This initiative, which is a collaboration between the district's welcome services and technology departments, was made possible with support from the mayor's office of early childhood. The platform allows families to register using mobile devices, eliminating the need for in-person visits to BPS welcome centers. This change is expected to ease the registration process and improve communication regarding school assignments and waitlists.

During a recent roundtable discussion at the Rafael Hernandez dual language K-8 school, BPS officials, including Mayor Michelle Wu, shared updates on transportation improvements. A new report highlights significant progress since February 2022, including labor contract reforms and staffing enhancements. A new ridership procedure will be implemented next month, ensuring that only students who utilize bus services are assigned transportation, which aims to optimize resources.

BPS is also gearing up for its summer programming, with the fifth quarter summer learning initiative set to run from July 8 to August 8. Currently, there are 9,500 seats available across various school-based and community-based summer learning academies. As of now, over 3,800 applications have been received, reflecting strong interest from families.

Additionally, the specialized services office has launched the Extended School Year (ESY) program for students with disabilities, showing a notable increase in enrollment interest compared to last year. This program is designed to help students maintain their skills over the summer and ease their transition into the next school year.

Lastly, BPS encourages youth aged 14 to 24 to explore the Future Boss summer jobs program, which offers numerous opportunities across the city. Families can find more information about these initiatives on the BPS website and the city’s official portal. These efforts reflect BPS's commitment to enhancing educational access and support for all families in Boston.