Boston Proposes Closing Charlestown High School
Boston Public Schools proposed closing Charlestown High School after enrollment fell sharply over the last three years.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Boston Public Schools has proposed closing Charlestown High School on June 30, 2028, after enrollment dropped from 820 students in 2023 to 559 in 2026. Boston City Councilors Erin Murphy and Gabriela Coletta have filed for a hearing on the proposed closure.
Why it matters
The proposal reflects a steep enrollment decline that residents in Boston will see across the district as smaller cohorts move through the schools. Eligible grade 11 and 12 students would still be allowed to graduate as planned, while students in other grades would receive priority to enroll elsewhere.
Charlestown High enrollment fell 32% from 820 students in 2023 to 559 in 2026, with 207 students in grade 12 compared with 48 in grade 7. The School Committee has not yet voted on the proposal, and it is not yet known whether it will be approved.
The players
Boston Public Schools
The Boston Public Schools district is the public school system serving the city of Boston and is responsible for the proposed closure of Charlestown High School.
Erin Murphy
Erin Murphy is a member of the Boston City Council who has filed for a hearing on the proposed closure of Charlestown High School.
Gabriela Coletta
Gabriela Coletta is a member of the Boston City Council who has filed for a hearing on the proposed closure of Charlestown High School.
The details
Boston Public Schools officials announced the proposal on Saturday, which would close the school on June 30, 2028, if approved. Students in other grades would receive priority to enroll in other schools, and councilors have requested a hearing on the closure.
Timeline
2023: Charlestown High enrollment stood at 820 students.
2026: Enrollment fell to 559 students.
Oct. 31, 2026: Boston Public Schools announced the proposal to close the school.
Dec. 2, 2026: The Boston School Committee is expected to consider the proposal.
June 30, 2028: Charlestown High would close if the proposal is approved.
Season Trajectory
The proposal continues a pattern in which Boston consolidates schools as smaller cohorts rise through the system, and enrollment at Charlestown High is expected to keep declining in the following years. The City and BPS also plan to move another high school into the building as early as the 2028-2029 school year.
Families with students at Charlestown High should check their enrollment options, since students in other grades would receive priority to enroll in other schools. Grade 11 and 12 students would be allowed to graduate as planned if the closure is approved.
The takeaway
Families should track the December School Committee meeting and the planned hearing, since the outcome will determine whether current students and families must plan for a transfer.
What happens next
The Boston School Committee is expected to consider the proposal on Dec. 2, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Secondary Education coverage for context on school enrollment and closures in Boston.
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