Youth programs & schools
Consistent priorityOut-of-school programs, mentoring, early education and school-based supports for children and teens.
Residents consistently ask for affordable after-school and summer programs, safe youth spaces, better-funded school buildings and food, child care, and tutoring and college access.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
281 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 81 | 6.6% | 3 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 87 | 7.2% | 4 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 113 | 8.5% | 4 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Affordable after-school, before-school and summer programs
Residents want free or low-cost programs, including before-school care for working parents and options for older teens, available at schools and community centers.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Safe places and activities for youth and teens
Residents say young people have few places to go and ask for centers, teen spaces, sports and mentoring to keep them engaged and out of trouble.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Better school funding, buildings and food
Residents ask for more money for schools, repairs and cooling or ventilation, supplies, and fresher, better school lunches.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Affordable child care
Residents ask for free, subsidized or voucher-based child care so working and single parents can keep their jobs.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Free tutoring, test prep and college access
Residents want free tutoring, SAT and exam prep, and scholarship help so lower-income students have the same chances as peers with private support.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Ideas were wide-ranging, covering school resources and facilities, free indoor playgrounds, college and scholarship help, mentoring, and playground renovations at specific Dorchester schools.
2025–26
Affordable before- and after-school programs for working parents and complaints about school lunches and missing air conditioning were the most common themes.
2026–27
Volume rose to 113 ideas, many short general asks for education funding and youth programs, along with school lunch complaints from students, swim lessons, and youth money-management and career programs.
New in 2026–27
Free swim lessons, reusing old East Boston police stations as youth centers, new or renovated schools in Allston-Brighton, and student reports of pests in school lunches stand out as new or growing.
Funding so far
The winning projects, grants for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and financial literacy workshops, address two narrower asks, but no winning project yet covers the recurring asks for affordable after-school and summer programs, child care, school buildings and food, or tutoring.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Programs Supporting Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Youth
2024–25 · $250,000
This proposal will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to support youth ages 14-21 who are formerly or currently incarcerated, helping them build a brighter future.
Youth Financial Literacy and Empowerment Workshops
2025–26 · $250,000
This proposal provides financial literacy workshops at youth job sites, local events, and colleges for young people ages 14-24.
Departments that often lead this work
- Boston Public Schools
- BCYF
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Youth programs & schools
281 ideas
2024–25: 81 · 2025–26: 87 · 2026–27: 113
- After-school STEM programs and scholarships for studentsFund after-school STEM programs in local schools with equipment and expert instructors, and create scholarships for underprivileged students to attend college or training, with inclusive engagement of marginalized groups.2024–25City-wide
- Mini grants for school family engagement eventsResident asks for mini-grants helping schools cover costs of family engagement events and educational activities that build relationships among students, parents and teachers.2024–25City-wide
- School supply closet for teachersResident proposes a supply closet in schools where teachers can get classroom supplies instead of paying out of pocket, so students have the tools they need.2024–25City-wide
- Teacher professional development through Campus Without WallsResident promotes Campus Without Walls, which offers teachers high-quality professional development and connects students and classrooms across schools and districts to reduce geographic and socioeconomic barriers.2024–25City-wide
- More BPS funding for restorative justiceResident asks for more Boston Public Schools funding for restorative justice, arguing punishment is ineffective and harms Black and Brown children.2024–25City-wide
- More and easier college scholarships tailored to needResident says college is expensive and asks for more scholarship opportunities and easier application programs, with awards matched to each student's field and needs.2024–25City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Information on local college scholarships for youthResident says many young people cannot afford college and asks for information on local scholarships, distributed equitably according to need.2024–25City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- More school funding in inner-city neighborhoodsResident asks for more funding for inner-city schools so kids have more resources, are better educated and crime may fall.2024–25City-wide
- Better school supplies so families and teachers don't payProvide good working school supplies so parents and teachers do not have to buy them, giving students a better school experience.2024–25City-wide
- Better school food and more school resourcesProvide better food and more resources for schools.2024–25City-wide
- New high school in Orient HeightsBuild a high school in Orient Heights, possibly on the former casket factory site, because there is none nearby.2024–25East Boston
- Funded tutoring for fair educational opportunityProvide funded tutoring so students without private tutors have fair chances to learn and get into top schools and colleges.2024–25City-wide
- Paid elders assisting in daycare and early elementaryHave elders help in daycare and early elementary programs for a small stipend, building intergenerational bonds.2024–25City-wide
- Neighborhood-based childcare navigation for familiesHelp low-income families find quality childcare near home, focusing on neighborhoods and on providers who speak languages like Spanish or Haitian Creole.2024–25City-wide
- Age-based anti-bullying programs for children and teensCreate three anti-bullying programs for ages 5-7, 8-11 and 12-15 that teach about bias and discrimination, to build empathy and reduce disparities in bullying.2024–25Dorchester
- Low-cost year-round youth center with sports and poolThe resident asks for a low-cost, year-round center for children and teens with sports, a pool and more, to keep them busy and away from addiction.2024–25East BostonSubmitted in Spanish
- More budget for school field tripsThe resident asks for more budget for school field trips.2024–25City-wide
- Funding for heritage language classesThe resident asks for funding for heritage language classes, such as Vietnamese, so students gain knowledge and appreciation of multiple languages and cultures.2024–25City-wide
- Family center for seniors, adults and youthThe resident asks for a family center with cooking, dance, art and college extra-credit courses for all ages, to bring families together and advance equity.2024–25City-wide
- Help with learning geometry and mathThe resident says math and geometry are hard for them and suggests programs and services to support learning.2024–25City-wideSubmitted in Spanish