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Boston University Academy

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Coordinates: 42°21′03″N 71°06′35″W / 42.350956°N 71.10982°W / 42.350956; -71.10982
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Boston University Academy
MottoNil Doctis Arduum (Nothing Daunts a Scholar)
TypeIndependent secondary School
EstablishedFounded in 1993
PrincipalJames Berkman
Students156
Address
One University Road
Boston, MA 02215
,
Boston
,
Massachusetts
,
USA
CampusOne building, located in the center of the Boston University campus. BUA has full use of the University facilities.
ColorsScarlet, White and Black
NicknameBUA
AffiliationsBoston University, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges
MascotRhett the Boston Terrier
Websitewww.buacademy.org

Boston University Academy (BUA) is a private high school operated by Boston University. Founded in 1993 and located on the Boston University campus, the Academy is geared toward college preparatory work. As part of its integration with the university, students are able to take college courses for credit their junior and senior years, and are guaranteed acceptance to Boston University upon maintaining a 3.0 grade point average at the Academy.

BUA's student body is drawn from 49 communities. 50% come from independent schools, 42% from public schools, 4% from parochial schools and 4% are from home schools. 22% are students of color. BUA provides tuition assistance to approximately 31% of the students.[1]

Academic Rigor

BU Academy student SAT scores [2] are consistently high: Its reported average SAT score in 2013 of 2148 was among the highest of any public or private high school in Massachusetts. [3] Nearly 100% (38 of 39 members) of its graduating class of 2012 were National Merit Commended Scholars.[4] (National Merit Commended Scholars generally score in the top 2% of all PSAT/NMSQT test-takers.

However, the focus of the school is not on standardized test taking or college admission. Rather, the school seeks to introduce its students to the rich western tradition while giving a solid background in academics.

Accreditation

The Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of both the Secondary School Admission Test Board and the Association of Independent Schools of New England.

History

Boston University Academy was proposed and founded in 1993 by Peter Schweich,[5][6] then the Vice President of Boston University, and authorized by John Silber,[7] then the president of Boston University. Peter Schweich was its first headmaster, and served in that role until 1999, when he was succeeded by Dr. Jennifer Bond Hickman. James Tracy replaced Dr. Hickman and served until the spring of 2006, when he was replaced by the current Head of School, James Berkman.

When BU Academy was founded it covered grades 9-12; an 8th grade of approximately 20 students was added in 1999. The 8th grade was dropped in 2005.

Cost

Tuition and fees for the 2009-2010 school year is $30,123. Thirty two percent of students receive some sort of financial aid, with the average grant covering $17,588.[8]

Notable faculty

Boston University Academy has many graduates of prestigious universities on its faculty, most with advanced degrees.[9]

Philip Gambone is a published author who teaches freshman English.

Dr. Brett Abigaña, who teaches music at BUA, was named one of the 19 most influential woodwind composers of 2011 by music authority Tim Reynish.[10]


Notable Alumni

J. Courtney Sullivan, who was in the Class of 1999, is a NY Times bestselling author.[11]

Student activities

Student activities include:

  • Entrepreneurship club, focused on designing and creating successful startups.
  • Middle Egyptian club, focused on reading and studying Egyptian hieroglyphs.
  • Model United Nations- a student run club including nearly one-third of the school's student population. BUA's Model UN team was recently ranked in the top 125 high school teams in North America.[12] BUA Model UN website
  • BUAMUN, a middle school Model UN conference run and staffed by Academy students.
  • Science Team- a large team who competes to demonstrate their superior science skills in the Western Suburban Science League.
  • Robotics-The BUA Robotics team competes in the FIRST league and many local competitions.
  • South Asian Students Association is a club founded by two Indian members of the Class of 2015 which focuses on reclaiming the heritage of South Asian students and spreading awareness about the culture of South Asia
  • Sports such as: Basketball, Crew, Crosscountry, Fencing, Sailing, Soccer, Tennis, and Ultimate Frisbee.
  • Nerdly Hobbies, a semi-official student-run club which organizes Dungeons & Dragons games, Miniatures Wargames (like Warhammer 40,000), Magic: The Gathering Tournaments, and various leisure activities.
  • Dance Team
  • Photography Club
  • Craft Club
  • Yearbook
  • Cheese Club, a student run organization celebrating cheese.
  • Performing Arts Outing Club, which attends one Boston area theater performance or concert each month.
  • Math Team
  • Film Club
  • Environmental club- A club which helps the environment through an extensive recycling program.
  • Literary Magazine (LitMag) and LitCafe, where student authors and artist can publish and share their works with the school community.
  • BU Academy Press- A student-run and edited newspaper that brings the important news to the students.
  • Art Club
  • Gallery Hoppers, where students take an afternoon to visit a local art gallery (and often grab a snack).
  • Drama, including the Drama class as well as the Senior Play and Independent Drama.
  • Many Students help in admissions, performing such functions as Tour Guides and Hosting visiting applicants
  • Student Council, which organizes most student activities and functions.
  • Peer Tutors- A group of students who help their peers by tutoring them in subjects where they need help.
  • Peer Advisors- A group of students who help new students transition to the academy.
  • Chess Club
  • MSSG- A club for members of the school coming from the north shore.
  • "'Gay Straight Alliance"'
  • Mandatory community service

Student activities formerly included other activities such as:

  • Music Diversity club

References

  1. ^ BUA,facts and figures,2008,http://www.bu.edu/academy/admissions/quickfacts/
  2. ^ College Board, SATs, 2006, http://www.collegeboard.com/
  3. ^ http://www.bu.edu/academy/files/2012/10/BUA-Profile1213.pdf
  4. ^ http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2013/04/30/50-private-day-schools-united-states
  5. ^ Innerst, Carol (1997-06-08). "High school at Boston University directs students into academic life". The Washington Times. p. 2. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. ^ Fitzgerald, Brian (1999-06-11). "BU Academy seen as educational model". Boston University Bridge. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ BU Daily Free Press, A look at Boston University Academy, the elite private high school at the heart of the BU campus, 6 December 2006, who saw it as a potential feeder school for the university. http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2006/12/06/Spotlight/Shortcut.To.College-2525034.shtml
  8. ^ http://www.bu.edu/academy/about/quickfacts/index.shtml
  9. ^ Boston University Academy, Faculty & Staff, 2006, http://www.bu.edu/academy/about/faculty-staff/
  10. ^ Tim Reynish,The Wind Music Of Brett Abigana,2011,http://www.timreynish.com/repertoire/composers/abigana.php
  11. ^ http://www.bu.edu/academy/2010/04/21/reflections-from-j-courtney-sullivan-99/
  12. ^ "America's Best High School Model UN Teams: 2011-2012 Spring Rankings Top 150". Retrieved 9 May 2013.

42°21′03″N 71°06′35″W / 42.350956°N 71.10982°W / 42.350956; -71.10982

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