School is closed, but the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) is accepting applications for school-age children who live in Boston through its new online portal. The spring application window is open from April 1 -30, so parents and guardians can take advantage of time at home to sign up to be entered into a lottery for grades K-10 in fall 2020.

You can complete a preliminary application at ​metcoinc.org/apply​ at any time. No documentation is required at the time of the preliminary application.

Due to the challenges of the coronavirus, METCO is verifying documents on a rolling basis rather than enforcing strict deadlines. Upon receiving a lottery number, families can upload the required documents from their phone or computer as they are able. Verified and complete applications are being referred to participating suburban districts as spaces become available in each grade level.

METCO’s Roxbury offices are closed with all staff working remotely. You can call 617-427-1545 for assistance and further information.

This year a lottery is replacing the lengthy METCO waiting list. All eligible applicants who have submitted a complete application with all requirements by April 30 will receive a lottery number and have an equal opportunity to be referred to suburban schools connected with METCO. Parents can track the progress of their application throughout the application process.

During this transition year, certain groups of applicants from previous years will retain priority status; see metcoinc.org/status for details. However, all students need to complete a new online application to be considered.