Boston Public Schools Educational and Programming Design Standards

This report establishes comprehensive design guidelines and programming standards for Boston Public Schools (BPS) to direct new facility construction and major school renovation projects. Developed by DLR Group and Jonathan Levi Architects, the standards are designed to help the district understand and implement school environments that support a High-Quality Student Experience, grounded in academic rigor, equity, and inclusive practices.

A central takeaway is the Learning Cohort model, which serves as the fundamental building block of school design. These cohorts cluster classrooms with shared common spaces to foster community, enhance natural surveillance, and support different learning activities through flexible furniture and equipment. The resource explicitly integrates the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and the district’s Opportunity and Achievement Gaps (OAG) Policy to dismantle structural barriers for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

The document covers diverse topics, including core academics, science classrooms, visual and performing arts, and Career and Technical Education (CTE). It also details the Community Hub Schools model, which reimagines school buildings as full-service centers for families and partners. For practical planning, the resource includes Model Space Summaries for Pre-K through 6 and 7 through 12 pathways, alongside technical Room Data Sheets that specify requirements for acoustics, lighting, and specialized fixtures.