A Turning Point for English Learners in the Commonwealth
Massachusetts is experiencing a historic surge in multilingual learners, creating both opportunities and challenges for school districts across the Commonwealth. With nearly 128,000 English learners now enrolled in public schools—a 25% increase since 2019—educators and advocates are working to ensure every student receives the support they need to thrive academically.
The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story
The growth in Massachusetts’ multilingual learner population has been dramatic. According to recent data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
- Nearly half of pre-K and kindergarten students entering Boston Public Schools speak a language other than English as their first language
- In 177 of the state’s nearly 400 districts, multilingual learners now account for more than 5 percent of the student population
- Boston Public Schools alone serves approximately 17,000 English learners—32% of its total student body
- Students in Massachusetts schools hail from 139 different countries, bringing rich linguistic and cultural diversity
Historic Expansion in Boston
In December 2024, Boston Public Schools announced its largest single-year expansion of multilingual education programs, adding seven new bilingual programs across five elementary schools and two secondary schools for the 2025-2026 school year. These programs include:
- Dual-language programs in Spanish/English and Mandarin/English
- Transitional bilingual education in Spanish
- Specialized newcomer programs for recently arrived students
Mayor Michelle Wu highlighted this commitment during her inaugural State of the Schools address in October 2025, announcing that BPS has created 16 new bilingual programs and is implementing inclusive classrooms where multilingual learners can learn alongside their peers.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Equity
While Massachusetts has made meaningful progress, significant work remains. Currently, only 4% of the state’s English learners are enrolled in dual language programs. Nearly three-quarters of English learners and former English learners failed to meet or exceed MCAS scores for math and science in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for expanded support.
The state has committed more than $11.8 million in grants to districts to expand bilingual programming. Boston Public Schools plans to add 40 teachers and 1,060 students to multilingual or bilingual classrooms by the 2032-2033 school year. Yet even this expansion will serve only a fraction of the current English learner population.
The MEL Community Foundation’s Commitment
These developments underscore the critical importance of The MEL Community Foundation’s mission. By supporting literacy interventions, mentorship programs, and college access initiatives specifically designed for English learners, we address the interconnected barriers these students face.
Our recent grant to the Boston YMCA’s ESL program at the Mattahunt School exemplifies this commitment—supporting not just students, but their families, recognizing that when parents can navigate the school system and support their children’s education, entire families benefit.
As Massachusetts continues to welcome immigrant families seeking high-quality education for their children, the need for targeted support has never been greater. The MEL Community Foundation remains dedicated to ensuring that English learners have access to the resources, programming, and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential.
To learn more about The MEL Community Foundation’s work supporting English learners in Massachusetts public schools, visit melcommunityfoundation.org.