Newton is located four miles outside of Boston, MA and has a student population of 11,556 students enrolled in fifteen elementary schools (K-5), four middle schools (6-8) and two comprehensive high schools (9-12).  Newton has two integrated pre-school programs with over 230 students.  Over 40 different languages are spoken within the student/parent population.  The Newton school district belongs to the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO), a state-funded voluntary educational desegregation program enrolling 3500 Boston students in public schools in 34 suburban communities.  The mission of the schools is to educate, prepare, and inspire all students to achieve their full potential as lifelong learners, thinkers, and productive contributors to our global society.