Boston University Academy
Encyclopedia
Boston University Academy (BUA) is 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.
scores are consistently high. According to Peterson's Guide, in 2007 all students scored 600 or above on all three sections of the SATs. Of the 37 members of the class of 2007, 18 were Commended National Merit Scholars, and 6 were National Merit Semi-Finalists. (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.
and is a member of both the Secondary School Admission Test Board
and the Association of Independent Schools of New England
.
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 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.
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.
Student activities formerly included other activities such as:
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
operated by Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. Founded in 1993 and located on the Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
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.
Mission
The mission of Boston University Academy is to educate talented students who are passionate about learning and who share the joy of inquiry. Engaging with dedicated teachers in a small and caring community, students first immerse themselves in a classically-based curriculum and then continue to expand their intellectual interests in high school at Boston University, a major research institution.Academic Rigor
BU Academy student SATSAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
scores are consistently high. According to Peterson's Guide, in 2007 all students scored 600 or above on all three sections of the SATs. Of the 37 members of the class of 2007, 18 were Commended National Merit Scholars, and 6 were National Merit Semi-Finalists. (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
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
while giving a solid background in academics.
Accreditation
The Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and CollegesNew England Association of Schools and Colleges
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. is the U.S. regional accreditation association providing educational accreditation for all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to the doctoral level, in the six-state New England region. It also provides accreditation for some...
and is a member of both the Secondary School Admission Test Board
Secondary School Admission Test Board
The Secondary School Admission Test Board is a nonprofit organization founded in the United States in 1957 by independent school admissions officers with three goals in mind: to provide a forum for exchange and support among admission professionals, to create an admission test for use by private...
and the Association of Independent Schools of New England
Association of Independent Schools of New England
The Association of Independent Schools in New England is an association serving independent schools in New England, USA. It provides educational services such as downloadable materials and support for diversity programs, and represents its members to government, the media, etc. It also accredits...
.
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
John Silber
John Robert Silber is an American academician and former candidate for public office. From 1971 to 1996 he was President of Boston University and from 1996 to 2003 Chancellor of the University. Since 2003 he has been its President Emeritus. In 1990, Silber took a leave of absence from the...
, then the president of Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. 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.Notable faculty
Boston University Academy has many graduates of prestigious universities on its faculty, most with advanced degrees.Philip Gambone
Philip Gambone
Philip Gambone is an American writer.Gambone was born in Wakefield, Massachusetts in 1948 and earned a B.A. from Harvard College and an M.A. from the Episcopal Divinity School...
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.
Student activities
Student activities include:- Model United NationsModel United NationsModel United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
- a student run club including nearly one-third of the school's student population. BUA Model UN website - 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 FIRSTFirstFirst or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one.First or 1st may also refer to:* First , minor summit below the Schwarzhorn in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland* First , mountain in Bernese Alps in Switzerland...
league and many local competitions. - Sports such as: BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, CrewCrewA crew is a body or a class of people who work at a common activity, generally in a structured or hierarchical organization. A location in which a crew works is called a crewyard or a workyard...
, CrosscountryCrossCountryCrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
, FencingFencingFencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
, SailingSailingSailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
, Soccer, TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, and Ultimate FrisbeeUltimate (sport)Ultimate is a sport played with a 175 gram flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football or rugby...
. - Nerdly Hobbies, a student-run club which organizes Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
games, Miniatures WargamesMiniature wargamingMiniature wargaming is a form of wargaming that incorporates miniature figures, miniature armor and modeled terrain as the main components of play...
(like Warhammer 40,000Warhammer 40,000Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop, set in a dystopian science fantasy universe. Warhammer 40,000 was created by Rick Priestley in 1987 as the futuristic companion to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, sharing many game mechanics...
), Magic: The GatheringMagic: The GatheringMagic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
Tournaments, and various leisure activities. - DanceDanceDance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
Team - Photography Club
- Yearbook
- Cheese Club, a student run organization celebrating cheese.
- Social Issues group
- Opera Club, which studies and then attends a performance of various opera.
- Math Team
- Film Club
- Environmental club- A club who 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).
- DramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, 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 serviceCommunity serviceCommunity service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
Student activities formerly included other activities such as:
- Music Diversity club