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Josiah Quincy Elementary School

United States, Boston

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Mandarin
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 4 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 719
Type Co-educational
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin
Typical class size 11
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Primary School, Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction

Josiah Quincy Elementary School is a public elementary school in Boston, United States, serving students aged 4 to 11. The school delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and has been an IB World School since September 2022. It is the first Boston Public Elementary School to earn accreditation for the PYP, with a guaranteed pathway to the Josiah Quincy Upper School (IB-accredited). Beginning in September 2025, a Mandarin Bilingual Education Program starts in K1, with instruction in English and Mandarin and Math taught in Mandarin. Heritage classes are held twice weekly. Students are expected to remain in the program through fifth grade and may continue Mandarin through 12th grade at the Upper School. The program prioritizes access for students whose home language is Chinese. The school has educated Boston's children since the mid-1800s, within Boston Public Schools, reflecting a long tradition in the district. It anchors multilingual education district-wide today.

885 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, United States

The Essentials

Josiah Quincy Elementary School has 719 pupils, typical class sizes of 11, instruction in English, Mandarin.

Location
The Josiah Quincy Elementary School is located at 885 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111. It is part of Boston Public Schools. The school serves students in Boston, Massachusetts.

Stages
K1 through 5 (Kindergarten 1 through 5th grade)

Type
Public elementary school

Country affiliation
United States
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Monthly breakfast and lunch menus in our City Fresh Cooking Site.
Fees
Application fees
- There is no application fee to enroll at Josiah Quincy Elementary School. JQES is a public K0–5 elementary school and does not charge an application or admission fee.

Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year)
- There is no tuition for any year group (K0 through Grade 5). Attendance at JQES is provided without tuition charges.
- There are no per-term or per-year tuition invoices issued by the school for general instruction.
- School meals (breakfast and lunch) are provided free to all students; families are not billed for daily school meals.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school does not issue a tuition billing schedule because there is no tuition. Any charges that arise (for example from optional external programs) are billed and collected by the organization operating that program. Parents should expect bills, deadlines, and payment terms to be set and communicated by the external program provider.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- Boarding is not provided at Josiah Quincy Elementary School. The school is a day K0–5 elementary school; therefore there are no boarding fees.

Other costs or fees (uniforms, activities, materials, etc.)
- Uniforms: The school does not have a uniform requirement at this time, so there is no mandatory uniform fee.
- Optional/occasional costs that families may be asked to cover directly include: field trip contributions or tickets, optional extracurricular program tuition (before- and after-school enrichment), materials for specific projects, and community or event-related fundraising contributions. These charges are optional or program-specific and are set by the event organizer or external program.
- After-school and before-school programming offered in or connected to the school are provided by several partner organizations; some of those programs are tuition-free while others charge participant fees. Fees for those programs are assessed by the program operator.

Refund information
- The school itself does not collect tuition or standard recurring school fees, so there is no school-run refund policy for tuition. Refunds for any fees paid to external providers (after-school programs, camps, paid clubs, ticketed events) are governed by the refund and cancellation policies of the organization that collected the fee; families must follow that organization's stated refund procedures.

Fee payment options
- For school-provided instruction and school meals there are no fees to pay.
- For optional paid programs run by partner organizations, payment methods vary by provider. Common methods used by partner organizations include online registration/payment platforms (credit/debit card), direct invoicing by the provider, and organization-specific registration systems. Families should follow the payment instructions provided by the specific program operator when enrolling in paid activities. Example providers and registration channels are listed among the school's partners.
Academics

Josiah Quincy Elementary School teaches IB (PYP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 4 to 11.

Curriculum
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is offered. JQES has been an IB World School since September 2022 and is the first Boston Public Elementary School to have an accredited IB Primary Years Programme with a guaranteed pathway to the Josiah Quincy Upper School (IB-accredited). Mandarin Bilingual Education Program starts in K1 in September 2025; languages of instruction are English and Mandarin/Chinese, with Math taught in Mandarin. Heritage classes are taught twice weekly; students are expected to remain through 5th grade and may continue Mandarin through 12th grade at Josiah Quincy Upper School. The program prioritizes access for students whose home language is Chinese.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school values inclusion and belonging. It draws on the energy of surrounding neighborhoods and the diversity of its students to create a vibrant learning center. The IB World School framework supports inquiry-based, student-centered learning and a diverse, inclusive community. The mission and vision emphasize preparing students to be contributing global citizens.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
General Education, Inclusion-General Education, Early Intervention (K0/K1), Inclusion-SEI Chinese, Learning Disability, Multiple Disabilities, and SEI Chinese Language Specific.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Starting in K1 in September 2025, the Mandarin Bilingual Education Program builds on the heritage language program, maintaining native language capacity while attaining English proficiency. Languages of instruction are English and Mandarin/Chinese. Math is taught in Mandarin. Heritage classes are taught two times a week. Students are expected to remain through 5th grade, with an option to continue Mandarin through 12th grade at Josiah Quincy Upper School, prioritizing access for students whose home language is Chinese.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported by a School Psychologist and a Social Worker. A Family Liaison engages with families to support student and family wellbeing. School Nurses provide health services for students. FIRE Values (Focus, Integrity, Respect, Empathy) guide behavior and contribute to a caring school climate.

Safeguarding
Code of Conduct guides student behavior. Medication Policy governs how medications are administered at school. School Nurses' Office provides medical services. The handbook covers safety-related policies and procedures.
Parent Experience

History
The Josiah Quincy Elementary School has educated children in Boston since the mid-1800s. It is an IB World School accredited since September 2022 and was the first Boston Public Elementary School to offer an accredited IB Primary Years Program, with a guaranteed pathway to the Josiah Quincy Upper School. A Mandarin Bilingual Education Program began in K1 in September 2025, with instruction in English and Mandarin, Math taught in Mandarin, and heritage classes held twice weekly; students may continue Mandarin through 12th grade at the Upper School, prioritizing access for students whose home language is Chinese. The school is an IB World School educating the children of Boston since the mid-1800s within Boston Public Schools.

Community
The school community is connected through an events calendar that features school previews, family workshops, and community events throughout the year. The Josiah Quincy School Association (JQSA) funds essential programs for students in grades K0–5, including art, science, technology (computers, tablets, and software), movement, field trips and transportation, and guest speakers, musicians, and artists. The mission emphasizes access to opportunities by connecting students with Boston's renowned institutions and preparing students to be contributing global citizens within a diverse community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Josiah Quincy School Association (JQSA) is a 501(c)(3) organization. Since 2002, JQSA has raised funds to ignite curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in our students, funding programs across grades K0–5 including art, science, technology (computers, tablets, and software), movement, field trips and transportation, and bringing in guest speakers, musicians, and artists. These funds also enable access to opportunities by connecting students with some of Boston's most renowned institutions. The 2025-2026 Board of Directors includes Harry Seeto (President), Kathryn Yee Cacciapaglia (Vice President), Margarita Ginsberg (Secretary), Joe Hsiao (Co-Treasurer), Monika Kopacz (Co-Treasurer), Mary Havern (Fundraising Co-Chair), Dane Rasmussen (Fundraising Co-Chair), Brian Clarke (Donor Engagement & SCC Liaison), Abbey Boudouvas (Community Liaison), Mark Sacco (School & Faculty Liaison), Leanne Scott (General Member & Legal Advisor), Megan Whitmore (General Member). The JQSA's mission is the promotion of the welfare of the Josiah Quincy School and the offering of recreational, educational and enrichment activities, prizes and scholarships, stipends to teachers for attendance at seminars and workshops, in‑class projects, and extracurricular programs. Stay connected via Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages of instruction are English and Mandarin/Chinese. The program runs from K1 through 5th grade, with an option to continue Mandarin through 12th grade at Josiah Quincy Upper School. Heritage language support is part of the program, prioritizing access for students whose home language is Chinese.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers a Mandarin Bilingual Education Program. Beginning in K1 in September 2025, the program builds on the heritage language program, maintaining native language capacity while attaining English proficiency. Languages of instruction are English and Mandarin/Chinese. Math is taught in Mandarin. Heritage classes are taught twice weekly. Students are expected to remain through 5th grade, with an option to continue Mandarin through 12th grade at Josiah Quincy Upper School. Prioritizes access for students whose home language is Chinese.

Immersion Programs
Mandarin Bilingual Education Program is offered as a language immersion program with instruction in English and Mandarin/Chinese. Math instruction is conducted in Mandarin. Heritage language classes occur twice weekly. Students may continue Mandarin through 12th grade at Josiah Quincy Upper School.
Reputation

Awards
None available from the provided source.

Accreditations
IB World School; First Boston Public Elementary School to earn IB Primary Years Programme accreditation (IB PYP) and has a guaranteed pathway to Josiah Quincy Upper School.
Admissions

Admissions
The school has a Mandarin bilingual Education Program starting in K1 in September 2025. Languages of instruction: English and Mandarin/Chinese. Math taught in Mandarin. Heritage classes taught 2 times a week. Students expected to remain through 5th grade. Option to continue Mandarin through 12th grade at Josiah Quincy Upper School. Prioritizes access for students whose home language is Chinese. Prospective school previews for SY25-26 were scheduled: 12/3/2025 (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM), In-Person; 1/7/2026 (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM), Virtual; 1/21/2026 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM), In-Person. A link to the BPS Registration Website is provided for enrollment.
School Events
The school has not added events
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