In a powerful show of partnership between public education and the city’s only public research university, UMass Boston welcomed more than 1,000 Boston Public Schools graduates and their families as six of the city’s high schools celebrated their graduation ceremonies this past weekend on campus.

The ceremonies marked not only the culmination of academic achievement but also a new chapter for hundreds of students, including four from Ruth Batson Academy who have been awarded full Starratt Scholarships to attend UMass Boston.

The high schools participating in the on-campus celebrations are: Excel High School, John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, Ruth Batson Academy, Dearborn STEM Academy, Boston Latin Academy, and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu spoke at the Boston Latin Academy graduation.

These events reflect a broader collaboration between Boston Public Schools and UMass Boston aimed at creating seamless transitions from high school to college, especially for first-generation and underrepresented students. The graduations provide an opportunity for graduates and their families to experience the environment of a public research university, many for the first time. The use of UMass Boston’s campus underscores the university’s ongoing commitment to serving the city’s youths and supporting pathways to higher education.

“Our university is more than a venue—it’s a gateway to higher education and pathway to success. This partnership is a powerful symbol of access, opportunity, and what’s possible for Boston students,” said UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “We are honored to welcome these students to our campus as graduates.”

A highlight of the Ruth Batson Academy graduation ceremony was the recognition of four outstanding students who will be continuing their academic journeys at UMass Boston on Starratt Scholarships. The Robert and Ruth Starratt Endowed Scholarship is UMass Boston’s largest endowed scholarship fund. It underscores the deep partnership among the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, and UMass Boston to collaboratively foster college-level opportunities for high school students, and is one piece of the University-Assisted Community School (UACS) partnership between UMASS Boston and Ruth Batson Academy.

The fund provides need-based partial scholarships (up to the total cost of attendance) for undergraduate students who enroll in the College of Education and Human Development to prepare for careers in education with the intention of working within the public schools of Boston. The scholarship recipients will also receive mentoring and other support as a CEHD student. It provides a “last-dollar award” that will supplement other forms of student grant aid to ensure that Starratt Scholars graduate from UMass Boston debt-free and ready to work in BPS.

This year’s Starratt Scholars are:

Solimar Castillo is interested in working with children and this interest is reflected in their past positions as a summer camp counselor, a teaching assistant, and a tutor. This scholarship will empower Solimar to pursue their goals without the constant stress of how to afford tuition, books, or basic living expenses. This scholarship represents a symbol of hope, validation, and the possibility of breaking generational barriers.

Micah Echols is from Dorchester, and community support is an important factor in his life. Micah is committed to becoming a community leader for youths in his neighborhood and is looking forward to being a member of UMass Boston. This scholarship will support his dream of going to college.

Wolf Antoine believes that education is the best way to improve in life, and teaching one’s passion is even better. Wolf is looking forward to the opportunity to share all that he earned from teachers in Haiti and in the US and to share his experiences with others. He values the support he has received from RBA and will receive at UMass Boston and is looking forward to giving back to his community.

Velrine Palmer is from Dorchester and will be starting her journey as a future educator at UMass Boston. Velrine will be joining the College of Education and Human Development as an Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings major. Velrine has already taken an Education course through Early College and will be welcomed into the major this fall.

About Batson Academy University-Assisted Community Hub School

In 2024, Mayor Wu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UMass Boston to make the Batson Academy BPS’ first University-Assisted Community Hub School. The University-Assisted Community School (UACS) creates a pathway for high school students to access higher education. The goal is to create a community-focused learning environment that provides academic support, after-school programs, health services, and family engagement, while addressing broader social issues like poverty and inequality. UMass Boston plays an active role in supporting Ruth Batson Academy through research, mentoring, volunteer work, and resources that improve the quality of education.