RE “A school apart’’ by Stephanie Ebbert (Page A1, April 24): What public school system would allow a single school to amass a $39 million endowment, and then rely on volunteers to go to elementary schools to try to demystify the exam school admission process for parents and students?

That was the case with Boston Latin School. Then, after the volunteer program ended, along with the federal grant that funded it, the Exam School Initiative was taken over by the Boston Latin School Association, and then only halfheartedly funded.

With only about 240 seats per year at Latin School occupied by students from Boston public schools, there is little incentive to increase competition for these seats through a strong Exam School Initiative program.

Latin School is not a private school. Its out-of-sight endowment should be used for more than “funding prizes and scholarships for Boston Latin graduates heading to elite colleges.’’ The endowment should fund programs to reduce inequities at the school.

Superintendent Tommy Chang is on the right track by increasing the number of Advanced Work Program seats, and a plan to expand the free test preparation program announced on the heels of last Sunday’s story might help a little.

But until Boston Latin School itself starts taking a more active role in changing the lives of underprivileged students, the system will maintain the status quo.

Anne McKinnon

Jamaica Plain