METCO in Westwood
In the mid-1960's, problems with racial imbalance in some Massachusetts public school systems led to programs aimed at alleviating racial isolation. In September 1966, six towns inaugurated the METCO program by accepting students from Boston. Westwood soon followed. The program continues in operation and currently enrolls approximately 3,100 students in 33 suburban school districts. METCO is the largest and second oldest continually running voluntary desegregation program in the nation.
Students from both Boston and Westwood receive an excellent education and benefit from a level of diversity that would otherwise be absent. The program allows children of different backgrounds a chance to develop lasting friendships, talk about different issues, and solve problems together. These experiences help prepare them for a world that is increasingly multi-racial and multicultural.
Graduates from Westwood High School consistently go on to higher education at a rate well above their peers in traditional Boston Public Schools.
Meet the Director
Lateefah has been in the education field for 20 years. Originally from Washington D.C., Lateefah came to Boston as an undergraduate where she earned a B.A. from Boston University, M.Ed. from Lesley University and a C.A.G.S. from Simmons College.
She began her educational journey in inclusion and LEP classrooms as a 1st, 3rd and 4th grade classroom teacher. She then became a literacy specialist for upper elementary school struggling readers, before solidly placing her feet in roles of school leadership. She was an instructional coach before becoming the upper Elementary School Principal at the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School. Now as a METCO Director Lateefah is extending her work as an educational leader providing support to educators in Westwood, MA.