The Boston University / Chelsea Partnership was charged with the reform and revitalization of the public schools in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The Partnership was established in 1989, when, with the approval of the governor and state legislature, the Chelsea School Committee gave Boston University a contract to manage the Chelsea Public Schools. Three basic principles guide the Partnership’s efforts:

• children should be ready to learn,
  
• teachers should be prepared and equipped to teach, and
  
• important subject matter must be taught and learned through a coherent plan of instruction.

The Boston University/Chelsea Partnership remains a unique and exemplary instance of a public school district managed by a private university.

On June 30, 2008, the formal Partnership, which spanned 20 years, ended. The Chelsea Public School system continues to enjoy an informal connection with Boston University's School of Education, School of Social Work, and School of Dentistry.