ABOUT METCO:
METCO is the country's oldest and most successful voluntary school desegregation program. Its purpose is provide a quality public school education for children from racially unbalanced urban schools and to enable suburban children to experience an integrated learning environment.
In September 1966, the first 220 Boston students traveled to suburban schools in search of a better education. Today, over 2,880 Boston families participate in the METCO program in nearly 40 school districts. While most Boston students attending Curtis have attended elementary school in Sudbury, students may be accepted into the program in grades 6 - 8 as well.
METCO Cooperating Families at Curtis Middle School
Goals of the Program:
Cooperating Families are members of the school community who serve as "hosts" to students from Boston attending Sudbury schools through the METCO Program. The purpose of the organization is to enable Boston students to fully participate in the academic and social opportunities available to Sudbury residents, and to support their parents with practical assistance, enabling them to feel a part of the community.
An Evolving Relationship:
At the elementary level, cooperating family relationships are facilitated by regularly scheduled "stay days". In middle school, however, greater effort is necessary to maintain a familiar relationship. In the past, Boston students and their hosts have arranged to spend time together through activities such as school dances, athletic events, music or theatrical performances, and Friday Night at the Teen Center. Families arrange for Boston students to spend the afternoon in Sudbury between school dismissal and evening events and students often spend the night if there is school the next morning. METCO parents continue to benefit from host family support and appreciate knowing someone in town with whom their child has an enduring relationship.
A New Opportunity:
Many Boston and Sudbury families are able to maintain close relationships throughout their tenure at Curtis. Others request a change, reflecting different interests or circumstances. Students entering the METCO program as sixth or seventh graders have not yet had the opportunity to make this unique and welcoming connection. For these reasons, new host families are welcomed from year to year, across all the grade levels.
Getting Involved:
Contact:
Kimberly Donald, Metco Director
Sudbury Public Schools
(978) 443-1058 x3219Diane Krasnick
ECMS Metco Tutor
(978) 443-1071 x4247
Useful link: http://www.doe.ma.edu/Metco