Community members are questioning the direction of Boston Public Schools on the heels of an announcement to close Dorchester Academy at the end of this school year, arguing that the district is setting schools, particularly in neighborhoods of color, up for failure.
“Children in alternative ed programs — those are our most needy young people in terms of needing support from the district,” Barbara Fields, a community activist told the Herald. “It seems we are intentionally closing the door to them. What is behind this practice of putting schools in a position in which they are then closed? … It is a travesty.”
The announcement that Dorchester Academy, an alternative high school program, will be phased out at the end of this school year with remaining students being sent to Excel High School in South Boston reflects a pattern of a lack of community engagement and input into the future of BPS’ 125 schools, Fields said.