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Enrollment Policy

General Policy Statement

Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA) is an innovative public high school whose mission is to help students who are overage for grade level, many of whom have experienced life challenges that have impeded their education. Working with experienced faculty in an environment that blends strong academics and support, students are given the opportunity to earn a Boston Public Schools diploma and to reach their fullest potential through a competency-based curriculum that inspires critical and creative thinking, independent learning, and active citizenship.  Students applying to any of BDEA’s programs must be at least 16 years of age and no older than 23.

Initial Application Process

The application process at Boston Day and Evening Academy takes between four to six weeks from submission of application to enrollment. Applications can be obtained online (see "Apply to BDEA" under the "ADMISSIONS" tab) or from the school. Application deadlines are the last business day of every month.  To ensure equitable access, BDEA will hold a lottery every month (please see school calendar under "News and Events" for dates) from September through August, when necessary.  Notification of all application deadlines will be given one month in advance.

BDEA, in accordance with its nondiscrimination and zero tolerance policy, does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, disability, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language, or prior academic achievement, and does not tolerate any form of discrimination, intimidation, threat, coercion, and/or harassment that insults the dignity of others by interfering with their freedom to learn.

Timeline for accepting students and reporting pre-enrollment figures

The Boston Day and Evening Academy follows all reporting deadlines as set forth by the state’s Charter School Office. Due to the transient nature of the school’s population in all programs, students are able to enroll in any program through the 15th of April in any given school year.  The school submits a pre-enrollment report to the charter school office on the date, usually in mid-March, set by the DESE.

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants to the Boston Day and Evening Academy must be residents of Massachusetts at the time of application.  Proof of residency may be required. Applicants that do not meet the eligibility requirements will be notified in a timely manner in writing by the school informing them as to why they did not meet these requirements.

Day Program

  • Students must reside in the City of Boston and meet all other residency requirements of the Boston Public Schools
  • Preference is given to siblings of students currently enrolled in BDEA
  • Students have reached the age of 16 or above by September 1 of the year they enroll
  • Students have not yet passed ninth grade 
  • Student, or parent/guardian must sign school compact
  • Proof of residency may be required

Evening/Distance Learning Program

  • Students must reside in the City of Boston and meet all other residency requirements of the Boston Public Schools
  • Preference is given to siblings of students currently enrolled in BDEA
  • Students must be between the ages of 16 and 23
  • Student or guardian must sign school compact
  • Students must have already attended high school
  • Proof of residency may be required