HBCU College Tour
METCO HQ is offering an exciting HBCU College Tour during February break, where students can apply by submitting a writing sample or personal reflection, with financial assistance available.
The deadline is Friday, January 23rd at 11:00 PM
Apply now at MPDC HBCU Tour Application 2026
White Rose Scholarship Award
Apply for the 2026 White Rose $2500 Scholarship Award.
The deadline is April 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
The METCO Program (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity) is a voluntary statewide school integration and educational opportunity initiative. Funded through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, METCO was founded in 1966 during the Civil Rights Movement to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation by allowing students from Boston to attend public schools in participating suburban communities.
METCO students are fully integrated into their host schools, participating in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities alongside all other students, while also contributing to a richer, more diverse school community.
Mission: To provide students with a strong academic foundation and opportunities in an inclusive, diverse school environment, while fostering mutual understanding across communities.
Vision:
To be a statewide leader in voluntary school integration, helping close achievement gaps and promote educational equity.
Reading Public Schools — including Reading Memorial High School — has been a proud METCO partner since 1968. Participating METCO students come from Boston and are placed in district schools based on available seats each year. These students attend regular academic classes, access electives, and participate in clubs, sports, and school events just like their peers.
Reading Public Schools recognizes that METCO enriches school communities by broadening cultural perspectives and creating more inclusive, diverse learning environments for all students.
At RMHS and within the Reading Public Schools, METCO support is coordinated by dedicated local staff:
METCO students are provided transportation from Boston to Reading schools, ensuring that students can participate fully in all aspects of school life, including after-school activities.
In addition to school-based support, an active community group — Friends of Reading METCO (FoRMETCO) — supports students and families throughout the district. FoRMETCO hosts community events, builds connections between Boston and Reading families, and strengthens the local METCO community across all schools.
The METCO program provides meaningful educational opportunities that benefit students from Boston and enrich the school communities of suburban districts like Reading. Through shared learning and everyday interactions, METCO fosters cultural understanding, prepares students for life in a diverse society, and supports the academic and personal success of all participants.