By Tiffany Williams –
From Boston to the Berkshires, hundreds of public schools, private academies, colleges and churches close their doors ahead of a powerful winter storm, triggering one of the broadest shutdowns of the season.
The closures stretch across virtually every major district in the state — a sweeping halt to classrooms, after-school programs and evening activities.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS GO DARK
Major districts including Boston-area suburban systems, regional technical schools and charter networks all announced closures.
Cambridge Public Schools, Brookline Public Schools, Newton Public Schools, Worcester Public Schools and Lowell Public Schools are closed tomorrow.
Regional districts from Wachusett to Nashoba to King-Philip pulled the plug. Vocational powerhouses including Minuteman Technical High School and Blue Hills Regional Technical School are shut down.
In many districts — including Andover, Auburn, Avon, Bedford, Danvers, Easton, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Hudson, Hull, Melrose, Milford, Norwood, Old Colony Regional Voc-Tec, Wakefield, Wellesley and Wilmington — all evening activities have also been canceled.
Some districts escalated further. Brockton Public Schools are closed through Tuesday. Fairhaven Public Schools are closed through Tuesday. Douglas Public Schools are closed today and tomorrow.
The message from administrators: Stay home.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOLLOW SUIT
Elite independent schools and faith-based academies joined the wave.
Milton Academy is closed Monday with all operations suspended. Bancroft School is closed Monday with no evening activities. Concord Academy is closed today and tomorrow with no evening activities.
Boston University Academy, Buckingham Browne and Nichols School, Dana Hall School, Belmont Day School, Austin Preparatory School, Thayer Academy and Winsor School are all closed tomorrow.
Several Catholic institutions including Saint John’s High-Shrewsbury, Saint Johns Prep and Xaverian Brothers High are shuttered.
Some institutions opted for remote learning instead of full closure. Bishop Feehan High and the International School of Boston announced remote/virtual learning days.
COLLEGES CANCEL CLASSES
Higher education took no chances.
Brandeis University is closed Monday. Suffolk University is closed Monday. Curry College is closed Monday. Lasell University is closed Monday.
Bridgewater State University, Salem State University, Simmons University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Worcester State University and Bunker Hill Community College are closed tomorrow.
Lesley University declared a Remote Learning Day Monday 2/23/2026. MGH Institute of Health Professions and William James College also moved to remote instruction.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is closed Monday, with essential personnel reporting and cadets directed separately.
Across community colleges — from Mass Bay to Northern Essex to Roxbury Community College — classes and campus activities are canceled.
CHURCHES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS IMPACTED
Closures rippled beyond schools.
Temple Beth Elohim, Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish are closed tomorrow. First Parish Church in Bedford is closed through Tuesday.
Special education programs, collaboratives and adult day programs across the state — including Amego Northboro, Northshore Education Consortium and multiple Peterson School campuses — are closed.
Even childcare centers are adjusting schedules, with some reopening Tuesday morning.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This isn’t isolated. It’s systemic.
Public. Private. Secular. Religious. K–12. Higher ed.
Massachusetts is effectively pausing in anticipation of dangerous winter conditions.
The scale is the story.
When Cambridge, Worcester, Newton, Brookline and Lowell all shut down at once — you know it’s serious.