News

Boston Public Schools Celebrates 2026 Valedictorians

Group photo with award winners holding certificates alongside other attendees

Boston Public Schools Students Receive LGBTQ+ Leadership Award From Massachusetts

A large group of smiling students in the foreground hold certificates on a stage, with a screen displaying "Boston Latin" in the background.

Boston Public Schools Celebrates Class of 2026 Seal of Biliteracy Recipients

A smiling young man holds a framed award, with a TechBoston Academy banner in the background.

BPS Football Hero Wins Spirit Of Sports Award For His Courage, Sportsmanship

Events

Jun 10

Boston School Committee Meeting (Hybrid)

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Jun 19

Juneteenth

all day

Jun 25

Early release day for students.

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Jun 26

Last day of school (180 days) update due to inclement weather closures. Early release day for students.

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News

Boston Public Schools Celebrates 2026 Valedictorians

Thirty-Three exceptional seniors graduate at the top of their class.

Boston Public Schools Students Receive LGBTQ+ Leadership Award From Massachusetts

Boston Public Schools is proud to recognize two outstanding student leaders, whose advocacy and compassion are making a lasting impact across their school communities and beyond.

Boston Public Schools Students Receive LGBTQ+ Leadership Award From Mass

As Pride Month brings together communities in celebration of inclusion, acceptance and the strength of the LGBTQ+ community, Boston Public Schools (BPS) is proud to recognize two outstanding student leaders, whose advocacy and compassion are making a lasting impact across their school communities and beyond.

Boston Latin Academy Grade 12 student Nuriel Gutman and John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science Grade 12 student Samantha Lee have been named recipients of the 2026 Jeff Perrotti LGBTQ+ Leadership Award from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. The honor recognizes high-school seniors across the Commonwealth who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to creating school environments where LGBTQ+ students feel seen, heard, and supported.

Gutman and Lee are among just 10 students statewide selected for the prestigious award this year. In addition to the recognition, each recipient will receive a $4,000 scholarship to support their continued education at an accredited post-secondary institution.

The Jeff Perrotti LGBTQ+ Leadership Award celebrates students who have made meaningful contributions to fostering educational spaces where LGBTQ+ youth not only are accepted, but fully embraced. Award recipients were recognized Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Massachusetts State House during the FY 2027 Annual Recommendations Release Ceremony hosted by the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth.

“At Boston Public Schools, we believe student voices are essential to creating inclusive and affirming learning environments where every student feels empowered and knows they belong,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “This recognition with the 2026 Jeff Perrotti LGBTQ+ Leadership Award is a powerful reflection of our students' leadership and commitment to building a school community where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. We are incredibly proud and grateful for the positive impact these two students have had on their peers, their school community, and the broader Commonwealth.”

Pride Month is a joyful and vibrant time throughout Boston and across BPS, offering an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community while highlighting the individuals who work every day to ensure schools are welcoming and affirming for all students. Gutman and Lee exemplify that commitment through their leadership, advocacy, and dedication to uplifting their peers.

Their recognition reflects the continued efforts of BPS students, educators, and school communities to foster environments rooted in belonging, respect, and equity for every student.

(Photos via the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth)

Boston Public Schools Celebrates Class of 2026 Seal of Biliteracy Recipients

Boston Public Schools (BPS) celebrated the Class of 2026 students who earned the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy. This year, BPS students earned a total of 552 Seal of Biliteracy awards across 523 recipients.

Boston Public Schools Celebrates Class of 2026 Seal of Biliteracy Recipients

BPS honored 523 graduating seniors who earned Seal of Biliteracy awards across 25 languages

BOSTON — Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — Boston Public Schools (BPS) celebrated the Class of 2026 students who earned the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy during the district’s annual Seal of Biliteracy Districtwide Awards Celebration on Wednesday, May 20, at Josiah Quincy Upper School. This year, BPS students earned a total of 552 Seal of Biliteracy awards across 523 recipients, marking continued growth in the district’s biliteracy achievements. The number of Seal awards has more than doubled since 2024, increasing from 245 awards in 2024 to 426 in 2025.

The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy is awarded by state-approved districts to recognize high school graduates who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one world language. This year’s recipients demonstrated proficiency across 25 languages, including Albanian, Arabic, Arabic-Moroccan, Bosnian, Cabo Verdean, Cantonese, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Haitian Creole, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali Maxaa, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Turkish, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language. Among this year’s honorees, 14 students earned Seals in two languages.

“Boston Public Schools is incredibly proud to celebrate our Class of 2026 Seal of Biliteracy recipients, whose achievements reflect the strength, diversity, and brilliance of our multilingual community,” said BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper. “Biliteracy is a powerful asset that opens doors for students in college, career, and life, and it affirms the languages, cultures, and identities that our students bring into our classrooms every day. These students represent the very best of BPS, and we are proud to recognize their hard work, talent, and commitment.”

A young person in a vest and tie stands on a stage

Hosted by the BPS World Languages Department in the Office of Teaching and Learning, in collaboration with the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education, the celebration recognized students from across the district for their linguistic accomplishments and the important role they play in strengthening Boston’s multilingual community.

The Boston Public Schools World Languages Department supports over 50 schools K-12 with World Language programming, offering a diverse array of courses including Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. The department is committed to a proficiency-based approach that helps students develop real-life language and intercultural skills. In March 2026, the Department celebrated its first annual World Languages Week, bringing together more than 700 students from 10 different schools to celebrate global languages and cultures. Furthermore, the department is expanding access to heritage language learning, with a Spanish Heritage Year 1 curriculum launching in SY26-27.

This work is unified under the district's Global Learning Department, housed within the Office of Teaching and Learning, which was created to strengthen and elevate BPS’s commitment to global readiness. The Global Learning Department promotes global competence and intercultural learning by expanding access to authentic global experiences, including international collaborations and strategic global partnerships, preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world.

Three young people stand on a stage holding certificates.

“The continued growth of the Seal of Biliteracy in Boston Public Schools is a reflection of our district’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality language learning and ensuring students have meaningful opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do,” said BPS Chief of Teaching and Learning Dr. Angela Hedley-Mitchell.“Through strong instruction, dedicated educators, and intentional collaboration across departments, we are helping students build the academic, linguistic, and cultural competencies that will prepare them to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.”

BPS continues to expand access to high-quality language learning opportunities and multilingual programming that prepare students to succeed in an increasingly global society. The Seal of Biliteracy affirms the value of multilingualism and celebrates students who demonstrate the ability to communicate across languages and cultures.

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About Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 48,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 109 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

BPS Football Hero Wins Spirit Of Sports Award For His Courage, Sportsmanship

TechBoston Academy's Edgar Santana Castro the won the Spirit of Sport Award in recognition of his sportsmanship, courage, resilience and contributions to his community.

BPS Football Hero Wins Spirit Of Sports Award For Massachusetts

Football season ended months ago, but Edgar Santana Castro continues to win!
The TechBoston Academy senior has earned one of the highest honors in high-school athletics: the Spirit of Sport Award for the State of Massachusetts, presented by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The prestigious award recognizes student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who embody sportsmanship, courage, resilience, and also highlights individuals who overcome significant adversity or make extraordinary contributions to their community.

Diagnosed with stage 3 cancer at a young age, Edgar faced significant physical challenges throughout his childhood. Despite those obstacles, he remained determined to pursue his dream of playing football. Using a prosthetic leg, Edgar completed an inspiring four-year football career at TechBoston Academy, becoming a leader and role model on and off the field.

A young football player in a red jersey and helmet holds a ball on a field

Football player with prosthetic leg standing on the field holding football

But Edgar’s impact extends far beyond athletics.

Recently, Edgar volunteered his time to visit a second-grade student at Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain after the child’s teachers learned about Edgar’s story. The student, who is also an amputee, immediately connected with Edgar’s journey, and school staff hoped the two could meet.

When asked if he would visit the student, Edgar did not hesitate.

“Absolutely,” he told former TechBoston Academy Head Football Coach Raul Brown.

What made the visit even more meaningful was the discovery that Edgar himself once attended Curley K-8 during a pivotal time in his own life — before and after undergoing his medical procedure as a child. Returning to the school years later, now as a senior athlete and award recipient, became a full-circle moment that deeply moved everyone involved.

During the visit, Edgar shared his experiences, offered encouragement, and simply showed the student what is possible. The connection between the two was immediate and powerful.

“The second he realized they shared something so uniquely personal, his whole face lit up,” Brown said.

For Edgar, the moment was never about recognition. It was about showing up for someone else and paying forward the support he once received himself.

Some moments are simply bigger than sports — and Edgar Santana Castro continues to remind us all what true courage, compassion, and leadership look like.

A group of students and staff pose for a photo with center student holding award.

Events

May 9

Saturday Recreational Tennis

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

May 11

Parent, Teacher, and Community Association Meeting

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

May 15

Sample Event

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

May 16

Saturday Recreational Tennis

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Retention

The Retention Team in Human Resources is dedicated to supporting the long-term success and well-being of Boston Public Schools staff. Our work centers on understanding why employees stay, what challenges they face, and how schools and the district can better support them.

We partner closely with school leaders, internal departments, and external organizations to design initiatives that strengthen belonging, improve workplace culture, and increase access to professional growth opportunities.

BPS Higher Ed Partner Resources

BPS OHR Resources

Teacher Appreciation Discounts & Info

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Boston Public Schools Students Receive LGBTQ+ Leadership Award From Mass

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BPS Football Hero Wins Spirit Of Sports Award For Massachusetts

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