Bunker Hill Community College was founded in 1973 on what was previously the site of the Charleston State Prison. In 2010, BHCC was successful in receiving grant money from Second Nature and the Somerville Housing Authority. BHCC is innovative in the fields of distance learning and vocational education. Many of its graduates have successfully transferred to highly ranked four-year universities. Bunker Hill Community College was also featured in the movie "Good Will Hunting" as the school at which Robin Williams' character worked.
Bunker Hill Community College offers day, evening and weekend classes. It also offers distance learning options and web-based courses. The college has 101 different certificate and associate degree programs that help to prepare students for employment or for transfer to a four-year university. The college is a leader in distance learning opportunities. Bunker Hill also offers English as a Second Language courses and Adult Basic Education programs.
Bunker Hill Community College currently has more than 12,000 students. Students come from over 96 countries and the campus is very multi-cultural and diverse. The average age of Bunker Hill students is about 28, and women represent a campus majority. Most students also work while attending school.
Bunker Hill has a Workforce Development Center and ACT Center to support the training needs of the Boston area. It offers both academic and technical programs and consists of two main campuses, five satellite campuses and its distance learning program. The main campuses are located in Charleston and Chelsea, and there are satellite campuses throughout the Greater Boston area.