About Us

Boston University Academy is an academically rigorous independent day school located on the Boston University campus. BUA is the only high school in New England that is part of a major research university, offering a distinctive curriculum to students in grades nine through twelve. Boston University Academy provides students with an unparalleled college preparatory program that combines liberal arts coursework with classes at Boston University. At BUA, students’ zeal for learning takes them as far as they are capable. Small class sizes and close relationships with faculty allow students to pursue their passions and nurture their talents.

In eleventh and twelfth grade, students regularly complete up to 12 courses (equivalent to approximately 48 college credits) from the University’s undergraduate curriculum. Boston University Academy students in good academic and disciplinary standing gain automatic admission to Boston University.

 

History

Boston University Academy was founded in 1993 by former President of Boston University Dr. John Silber and the University Board of Trustees. Following the graduation of a single student in 1995, the inaugural class of eight students graduated in 1996. In the fall of 1998, BUA opened its doors to 11 ambitious eighth graders, expanding its academic program to younger students. However, after seven years of serving students in grades 8 through 12, BUA decided in 2005 to discontinue the middle school program and to focus on what it does best – provide an intellectually invigorating classroom experience for students at the high school level who are ready for college-level work. Boston University Academy’s enrollment has grown from about 150 students in 2004 to our current enrollment of 234 students, with 4-5 class sections per grade.

 


Bright, curious students will find a community of like-minded peers unabashedly pursuing their intellectual interests within a small, close-knit, and vibrant high school.

Quick Facts

Boston University Academy is an academically challenging independent day school located on the campus of a major urban research university. A distinctive curriculum that combines liberal arts coursework with classes at Boston University forms the core of the BUA student’s educational experience.

 


The Big Picture

234 total students

12 Average class size

10:1 Student to teacher ratio


Student Demographics

36% attended public schools

57% attended independent schools

5% attended parochial schools

56% students of color (self-reported)

35% multilingual households (represents 30 languages)


Faculty

21 total faculty members

10 faculty members with a Doctorate degree

11 faculty members with a Masters degree


National Merit Commendations

41% of Class of 2023 recognized

2 finalists

2 semi-finalists

20 commended students

1 student in the National Hispanic Recognition Program

To receive a National Merit Commendation, a student must score in the top 2% of test takers nationwide. National Hispanic Recognition Scholars score in the top 2.5% on the PSAT/NMSQT among all Hispanic and Latino test-takers in their region


Tuition and Financial Aid

$55,234 Tuition and fees for 2022-2023

30% students receiving financial assistance 

$39,679 Average need-based financial aid grant


Campus

20 Classrooms in the BUA building

2 state-of-the-art science labs at BUA

5.4 million + volumes available to BUA student’s at BU’s Mugar Library

+ access to BU facilities such as the George Sherman Union, FitRec, Nickerson Field, BU Boathouse and Sailing Pavilion, the Robotics Lab in the Engineering Building, theaters, concert halls, and more!

 

Mission

In our caring high-school community, students who love learning are challenged to think critically and read deeply, and to explore adventurously the wider world of learning at Boston University.

 

Core Values

Knowledge | Literacy | Community | Inclusion | Independence