Boston University Academy


Boston University Academy 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 in Boston University courses.
BUA's student body is drawn from 55 communities: 52% come from public schools, 39% from independent schools, 7% from parochial schools and 2% are from home-school or international schools; 57% are students of color and 47% of students come from multilingual households. BUA provides need-based tuition assistance to approximately 31% of the students as of the 2019–2020 academic year.

Academic rigor

Boston University Academy student SAT scores are consistently high: Its reported average SAT score in 2019 of 1475 was among the highest of any public or private high school in Massachusetts. Forty-four percent of its graduating class of 2010 were National Merit Commended Scholars.
The focus of the school, however, 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, then the vice president of Boston University, and authorized by John Silber, then the president of Boston University. Peter Schweich was its first headmaster, and 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. On August 21, 2014, Berkman announced that he would retire after the 2014–2015 academic year. On November 14, 2014, Provost Jean Morrison announced the appointment of Dr. Ari Betof to replace Berkman effective July 1, 2015. In July 2018, Boston University announced the departure of Dr. Betof. Following his departure, Dr. Rosemary White succeeded him as interim head of school. Dr. White served as interim head of school until Christos J. Kolovos began his tenure in the summer of 2020.
When Boston University 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 2019-2020 is $. Thirty-six percent of students receive need based financial aid. The average financial aid award is $. Financial aid awards range from $ to $. The average income of families that receive financial aid is $.

Notable faculty