Boston School Committee Approves Exam School Admissions Overhaul in 4-2 Vote

BOSTON -- November 5, 2025, Boston School Committee approves exam school admissions overhaul on 4-2 vote. The committee voted Wednesday to add a citywide round awarding the top 20 percent of seats at each of the city's three exam schools to the highest composite scorers regardless of neighborhood, while reducing housing bonus points from 15 to 10 and eliminating school-based bonus points entirely. Chairperson Jeri Robinson and members Rachel Skerritt, Michael O'Neill, and Alex Tran voted yes; members Dorotea Alkins and Alexandra Polanco-Garcia voted no. Skerritt argued the district's core failure is preparation, noting BPS enrolled 2,882 sixth graders last year but only 864 met or exceeded ELA standards, fewer students than the total exam school seats available. More than 30 public speakers, many opposing the change, argued the process lacked the community engagement of the 2021 overhaul, which involved 28 public meetings. The committee also unanimously approved nearly $258,000 in grants and three secondary school policy updates, including a revised competency determination policy for the graduating classes of 2026 and 2027.