Boston University Academy: A Unique College Preparatory Experience
Boston University Academy (BUA) stands out as an academically rigorous independent day school uniquely situated on the campus of Boston University. As the only high school in New England integrated within a major research university, BUA offers a distinctive college preparatory program for students in grades nine through twelve.
Founding and Evolution
Boston University Academy was founded in 1993 by former President of Boston University Dr. John Silber and the University Board of Trustees. The vision was to create a high school environment that would provide students with unparalleled access to university resources and opportunities. Following the graduation of a single student in 1995, the inaugural class of eight students graduated in 1996.
In the fall of 1998, BUA expanded its academic program to younger students, opening its doors to 11 ambitious eighth graders. However, after seven years of serving students in grades 8 through 12, BUA decided in 2005 to discontinue the middle school program. This decision allowed the academy to focus on providing an intellectually invigorating classroom experience for high school students ready for college-level work.
Leadership
Peter Schweich, then the vice president for publications of Boston University, was the first headmaster. He served in that role until 1999, when he was succeeded by interim head of school Dr. Jennifer Bond Hickman. Dr. James Tracy replaced Hickman and served until the spring of 2006, when he was replaced by Dr. James Berkman. In 2015, Dr. Ari Betof replaced Berkman. Following his departure, Dr. Rosemary White was appointed interim head of school. Dr. White served as interim head of school until Christos J.
Academics: "Learning Without Limits"
At BUA, students' zeal for learning takes them as far as they are capable. BUA provides students with an unparalleled college preparatory program that combines liberal arts coursework with classes at Boston University. In eleventh and twelfth grade, students regularly complete up to 12 courses (equivalent to approximately 48 college credits) from the University’s undergraduate curriculum.
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The academy's motto, "Learning Without Limits," encapsulates its commitment to providing students with the resources and support to pursue their academic interests to the fullest extent. BUA students build on their experience within the Academy building to pursue virtually any academic interest with world-class faculty at a major research university. Interested in Chaotic Dynamic Systems? Warfare in Antiquity? Modern Japanese Literature?
BUA's connection to Boston University opens all kinds of doors for our curious and motivated students. BU’s resources are our resources: libraries with over 5 million volumes, labs and studios to work in, seminars to take. In fact, the BU catalog lists over 2,000 courses open to BUA students. So many opportunities will present themselves to BUA students. Our task is to help them be ready for those opportunities. At BUA, they develop the reading and critical thinking skills demanded by high-level learning, as well as the study habits that support scholarly pursuits.
Curriculum
All courses at BUA are honors level. Our curriculum is built to equip a scholar for all the learning to come. Said learning is deep and wide, covering human experience in history, math, science, literature, technology, and the arts. Our faculty are dedicated to mentoring students and nurturing the joy of inquiry in each one.
Students begin with an integrated, classically-based ninth grade humanities program. Foundations in Language and Logic - BUA’s introduction to the classical trivium of grammar, rhetoric, and logic - explores basic modes of analysis. Every student studies Classical Themes in Literature, Ancient History, and either Latin or Ancient Greek. With this, comes immersion in primary texts, an interdisciplinary approach to humanities and an emphasis on close reading and learning to write. Ninth graders also study Biology, a visual or performing art, and the level of mathematics they are prepared for, from Algebra to Multivariable Calculus.
All BUA eleventh and twelfth graders take courses at BU for college credit in addition to courses in the BUA building. Some ninth and tenth graders take advanced mathematics and language courses at the University as well. All seniors research a thesis with the support of a University professor and a BUA faculty advisor. Outside the classroom, the University is a thriving intellectual community which reflects and expands what students experience in their courses. Galleries, performances, symposia, and competitions are there for the taking in.
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Student Life and Community
BUA is a small, supportive community devoted to a well-rounded, robust intellectual life. Each and every student at BUA is known, cared for, taught well, and advised thoughtfully. Our students are kind to one another. It makes it easier to be who you are, to follow your dreams and passions, and to decompress and have fun. Oh, yes - we’re a high school. There’s way more to BUA than academics.
BUA students are excited to use their intellects and the tools of scholarship to tackle any challenge, whether it’s reciting the opening lines of The Canterbury Tales in Middle English or taking Differential Equations with undergraduates at BU.
Location and Accessibility
We’re a high school with a T stop. Our central location allows us to draw our student body from a wide range of communities around Boston and beyond. Students come to BUA from as far north as Andover, as far south as Easton, and as far west as Littleton. Many students commute via public transportation, putting into practice our firm belief that making your own way is a highly educational experience.
In Boston, BUA students get exposure to real-world achievement in…well, almost everything. Medicine, science, technology, politics, education, history, social movements, literature, music and art: the city offers opportunities for rich connections to what our students learn in their classrooms. Hands-on experiences abound for student environmentalists, researchers, jazz lovers, Attic War nerds, and laser aficionados.
Diversity and Inclusion
As a school we’re distinctive, and our students are too. Our students come from 56 cities and towns and bring with them 220 different life experiences. BUA's student body is drawn from over 51 communities: 33% come from public schools, 61% from independent schools, 5% from parochial schools and 1% are from home-school or international schools; 53% are students of color and 37% of students come from multilingual households (representing 30 languages).
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Achievements and Recognition
In recent years, 81 of their students score 4 and 5 in AP exams. Boston University Academy also have 96% of faculties whose degrees are master and above. This week, the BUA Ethics Bowl Team competed at -- and won! -- the Annual High School Ethics Bowl at Tufts University. Last weekend, Lyahnnette Morales '27 was crowned Miss Boston’s Teen 2026, earning the opportunity to represent the city of Boston at Miss Massachusetts’ Teen.
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