JQES HOME / PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES
Welcome, Prospective Families
178
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
IB
WORLD SCHOOL
K-5
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
THE ESSENTIALS
School at a Glance
School Hours
9:30 AM – 4:10 PM · Arrival 9:15 AM · Staggered dismissal 3:45–4:10 PM
Monday–Friday
Location
885 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111 · Chinatown / South End · 617-635-8497
Grades Served
K0 (Pre-K) through Grade 5 · Guaranteed pathway to JQUS (Gr. 6–12) · Early Intervention K0/K1 · Full-time paraprofessional in every K1/K2 classroom · Small class sizes in Grades 1 & 2
Programs offered
General Education · Inclusion–Gen Ed · Early Intervention (K0/K1) · Mandarin Bilingual (SEI Chinese, K1–5) · Inclusion–SEI Chinese · Learning Disability · Multiple Disabilities · SEI Chinese Language Specific
Facilities
School library · Auditorium · On-site cooking cafeteria · Full-sized gymnasium · Swimming pool with certified instruction (Gr. 2–5) · Outdoor learning space · On-site dental clinic
FOR INCOMING FAMILIES K1 & K2
K1 or K2 at JQES? Welcome Day is coming.
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
Signature Programs
After School Programs
Programs below either take place at JQES or provide supervised transportation to and from school. Questions? Contact Partnership Coordinator Shea O'Brien at sobrien5@bostonpublicschools.org.
ACCESS
American Chinese Christian Educational & Social Services · 244 Harrison Ave., Boston MA 02111
Contact Annie Tran · 617-426-1070
Chung Wah Academy
Little Panda Childcare
For students under 7 years old · 285 Tremont St., Boston MA 02116
Contact: Cindy · 617-304-3201
Wang YMCA of Chinatown
BCYF Quincy Community Center
Enrichment activities in the JQES building. ~once-a-week, 8–10 weeks per season. Does not provide pick-up services.
Contact Helen Wong · 617-635-5130
IDIIL Learning Center
Primarily academic focus · 366 Tremont St., Boston MA 02116
Contact Steve Li · 617-795-0256
Red Oak After School
Castle Square / Square Roots
476 Tremont St. · Minimum age: 6 years
Contact Stephanie Mei · 617-482-4605 ext. 107
Kwong Kow Chinese School
United South End Settlements
South End & Harriet Tubman House locations.
Contact: Karen Liberatore · 617-375-8173 kliberatore@uses.org
Website →
Before School Programs
Before-school programs run prior to the 9:15 AM arrival time and are a great way to build skills, friendships, and routines before the school day begins.
Boston Music Project
Formerly the Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program. Music instruction for students in K1–5th grade, held at JQES and virtually.
Contact: Andy Kucenski · programs@bostonmusicproject.org
Wang YMCA of Chinatown
HELPFUL LINKS
Resources for Prospective Families
Fundraising arm of JQES. Supports programs and school initiatives and supports financially SCC initiatives
👕 No Uniform Required
JQES does not require school uniforms. Students should dress comfortably and in layers.
📱 Cell Phone Policy
Personal devices must remain out of sight and powered off during the school day. Students may use phones on school buses and during bus dismissal only.
🕘 Attendance Matters
Massachusetts law requires no more than 7 absences per 6-month period. Students must attend at least 3 hours to be marked present for the day.
🍽️ Free Breakfast & Lunch
All students receive free breakfast and lunch every day. Food is cooked on site at JQES daily. Menus are available on the Linq Connect website.
🏊 Pool & Gym
JQES has a gymnasium and an on-site swimming pool. Certified swim instruction is provided for students in Grades 2–5 during the school day.
💬 ParentSquare
JQES uses ParentSquare for all school-to-home communication — messages, updates, and direct contact with teachers. All families will be enrolled upon registration.
🦷 On-Site Dental Care
Tufts Dental Clinic has been a JQES partner since 1996, providing free dental screenings, cleanings, fluoride, and sealants in our own dental clinic (Room 302).
🌍 IB K–12 Pathway
Students who enroll at JQES receive a guaranteed assignment to Josiah Quincy Upper School for Grade 6 — also an accredited IB World School.
Dedicated Early Childhood Support
Every K1 and K2 classroom has a full-time paraprofessional alongside the teacher. Grades 1 and 2 also benefit from intentionally small class sizes.
617-635-8497 · 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
885 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111
Family Liaison
wzhang@bostonpublicschools.org
Office hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri