The Boston School Question
If you're buying a home in Greater Boston with kids (or planning to have them), schools are likely your #1 or #2 priority. But finding school information by address is surprisingly complicated in this region.
Unlike most of America where "good address = good school", Boston uses a choice-based lottery system for Boston Public Schools (BPS). Your address doesn't guarantee any specific school.
Three Different School Systems to Understand
- Boston Public Schools (BPS) - Choice lottery, no guaranteed assignment by address
- Suburban Town Schools - Traditional zoned schools (Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, etc.)
- Charter & Private Schools - Application-based, not tied to address
⚠️ Critical Mistake to Avoid
Do NOT assume that buying in Boston near a "good school" means your child will attend that school. The BPS lottery means you could be assigned to a school 30+ minutes away.
Boston Public Schools (BPS): How the Lottery Works
BPS serves ~50,000 students across 125 schools. Here's what you need to know:
School Assignment Priority Tiers
| Priority Level | Description | Your Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Priority 1 | Siblings already enrolled | Very High |
| Priority 2 | School in your "walk zone" (0.5-1 mile) | High |
| Priority 3 | School in your "geocode area" | Medium |
| Priority 4 | Citywide lottery | Low |
Top-Rated BPS Elementary Schools (2024)
- Eliot K-8 (North End) - 95% proficiency, highly competitive
- Conley Elementary (Roslindale) - 92% proficiency
- Kilmer K-8 (West Roxbury) - 90% proficiency
- Mason Elementary (Roxbury) - 88% proficiency
- Henderson K-12 (Dorchester) - 87% proficiency
Reality: Getting into these schools from outside the walk zone is very difficult. Many families apply to 8-10 schools and get their 7th or 8th choice.
Suburban Towns: Traditional Zoned Schools
In suburbs surrounding Boston, you're guaranteed admission to your zoned school. This is why homes in towns with good schools command huge premiums.
Top School Districts Near Boston
| Town | School Rating | Median Home Price | Commute to Downtown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline | 9/10 | $1.2M | 25-30 min |
| Newton | 9/10 | $1.1M | 35-40 min |
| Cambridge | 8/10 | $950K | 20-25 min |
| Somerville | 7/10 | $850K | 25-30 min |
| Arlington | 8/10 | $900K | 30-35 min |
đź’ˇ The "School Premium" Effect
Homes in Brookline command a $200,000-400,000 premium over similar homes in Boston—largely due to guaranteed access to excellent schools. For a family with 2 kids (13 years of school), that's ~$20,000/year premium, which many consider worth it.
Hidden Gem: Charter Schools
Massachusetts charter schools often outperform district schools and admission is by lottery (not address-based):
- Match Charter - 98% college acceptance
- Brooke Charter - Strong elementary program
- Boston Prep - Excellent middle/high school
- Codman Academy - Dorchester-based, strong results
Pro: You can live anywhere and apply. Con: Long waitlists (2-3 years for popular schools).