News
BUA Milestone: Celebrating Nick Dent’s 20th Year
This year, longtime math teacher Nick Dent celebrates his 20th year at BUA. In the classroom, as an advisor, on the ultimate field, and everywhere in between, Mr. Dent’s deep care for his subject and his students – along with his signature brand of sarcasm and his puzzle prowess – have become fixtures of the BUA community. To honor this milestone, we asked alumni to share their favorite Mr. Dent memories and gratitudes. Of the many, many submissions we received, here are some of the highlights: “I still remember when you were first introduced as the young new teacher at BUA. It was almost a shock to see someone who hadn't been at BUA since the ‘90s. Seeing you now as one of the senior leaders at the school is a testament to how much the school has grown around you. It's been great to come back to BUA events and see... More
Saoirse Killion ’21 Featured in BU’s Department of World Languages and Literatures Journal
Saoirse (BUA'21) graduated this spring from Boston University with a BA in Comparative Literature and a BFA in Painting. While at BU, her comic Ukifune was featured in Alexandria, a student-led journal within BU's Department of World Language and Literatures. View Saoirse's comic below and read more about Ukifune, along with insights into its origins, meaning, and the creative techniques. Ukifune, a comic based on the last ten Uji chapters of Murasaki Shikibu’s early 11th century novel The Tale of Genji visualizes castaway Princess Ukifune’s experiences with beauty, social class, and femininity as she writes about her past, fraught relationships with two handsome but overbearing suitors. Murasaki Shikibu was a lady-in-waiting for Empress Shōshi during Japan’s Heian period (794 - 1195) and an accomplished writer who, in her masterpiece often considered the world’s first novel, depicted the personal lives of high courtiers in the Heian capital. Ukifune’s source text is British sinologist Arthur Waley’s... More
Rising Junior’s Research on the Role of Black Women in WWII Featured in “Celebrating Juneteenth” Showcase
Rising junior Dora M. 27's research project, entitled "Chasing Justice: Rights and Responsibility of African American Women in WWII,” was featured in National History Day Massachusetts 2025 “Celebrating Juneteenth” virtual showcase. Dora's project was selected from over 700 entries as an outstanding example of research highlighting stories of African American history, culture, achievement, and freedom. Dora's exhibit explores the role of Black American women across WWII, from the Black Rosies to the Red Cross to the 6888th Battalion, and their fight to fulfill their responsibilities and gain equal rights both in the military and society at large. The project was inspired by a film about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit in the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Dora elaborates: "I give credit to the trailer for WAC’s 6888th Battalion— this video initially captured my attention and kindled my interest for rights and responsibilities in World War II. More
The Swamp Cats Release Two Studio Albums
The Swamp Cats are thrilled to announce the release of two incredible albums this year! The first album, American Standard, was recorded in the BUA music studio during October and November 2024. Featuring fresh takes on beloved classics like “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “St. Louis Blues,” all 6 songs on the album are Jazz standards which the Swamp Cats have added their own style and flair to. The second album, Goddess, was recorded in the BUA music studio during March and April 2025. A departure from the Swamp Cats’ typical setlist and outside the typical Jazz idiom, the album is an homage to some of the greatest voices of all time, including styles such as Gospel, Funk, R&B, and Pop. The Swamp Cats would like to thank the original singers of these pieces for giving a voice to the voiceless: Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Odetta, Etta James, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone. Swamp... More
Class of 2025 Matriculation List
On Monday, May 19, BUA graduated the Class of 2025 – the largest class in the school’s history – at a commencement ceremony featuring a keynote address by Boston University President Dr. Melissa Gilliam. As you can see from the impressive matriculation list below, the members of the BUA Class of 2025 have exciting paths ahead of them. Watch out, world -- these talented, passionate, determined young people are ready to make their mark. To our newest alums: we couldn’t be prouder of you. Stay in touch, drop us a postcard from your adventures, and don’t forget to stop by for a visit when you’re in town. Whether you’re heading across the street or across an ocean, you’ll always have a home at BUA. Members of the BUA Class of 2025 will attend the following institutions: Boston University Brown University California Institute of Technology Carleton College Colby College Cornell University Emory University Haverford College Harvard University Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health... More
BUA Graduates Largest Class in School History
On Monday, May 19, Boston University Academy graduated the Class of 2025 -- the largest class in the school's history, at 67 members. President Dr. Melissa Gilliam delivered the commencement keynote address to a packed house at BU's Tsai Performance Center. The BUA Class of 2025 crossed the stage to receive their diplomas from Head of School Chris Kolovos and Associate Head of School Rosemary White. Rose Cairo '25 and Yiannis Asikis '25 delivered the student addresses; Egor Lazarevich '25 and Lucia Jankowich recited the Classics orations in Latin and Greek, respectively. In her remarks, Dr. Gilliam, drawing on the many hats she has worn in her personal and professional lives, advised the Class of 2025: “There is so much I want to tell you. As a doctor, I want to tell you exercise, minimize screen use, spend time in nature, spend time with people. As a mom I want to tell... More
Senior Thesis Symposium 2025
On May 12, BUA's 67 seniors presented their research at our annual Senior Thesis Symposium in BU's Metcalf Hall. Senior theses are the culmination of BUA’s academic program and are undertaken by all seniors in partnership with a BU professor. The Symposium, open to the entire BUA community, celebrates our seniors and gives them platform to share their research with and field questions from a non-expert audience. Each senior prepares a poster featuring the highlights of their thesis research along with an accompanying 'lightning talk,' and then delivers an individual classroom presentation to their peers, teachers, and family members. From bioinformatics to urban planning, the depth and breadth of our seniors' research is astounding. As you can see from the thesis topics below, this is not just an academic exercise: these students have dedicated themselves to research and action with real-world impact in areas they are passionate about, and are... More
Daniel Shaer ’26 Wins Arbeiter Holocaust Essay Contest
BUA junior Daniel Shaer '26, along with five others, won this year's Israel Arbeiter Holocaust Essay Contest, part of Boston's annual commemoration of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Day of Remembrance. Daniel's essay was inspired by a 2023 trip to Erfurt, Germany, to see an exhibit based on his great-grandmother Miriam's diary, which recounts her 1938 exodus from Nazi Germany to British Palestine. Daniel says, "That trip to Germany in the summer of 2023 to see the exhibit about my great-grandmother's life had such a profound impact on me and I wanted to share what I'd learned in my submission. When I found out that I'd won, I felt so proud to be related to my great-grandmother and incredibly honored that I was able to share her inspiring story." Daniel, along with the five other essay contest winners, will travel to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC. In anticipation of... More
Known and Loved
I’ve visited about a dozen classes this week. I’ll pop in and then follow up in a meeting with the teacher to hear more about what they were working on and offer some observations and kudos. In one humanities class, I noticed that two students who are typically on the quiet side were participating actively in a spirited conversation around the table. I asked the teacher about it. He told me how, earlier in the year, he noticed these two students following along quietly but not entering the fray. He pulled each of the students aside outside of class, sharing that he was impressed with the analysis in their written work and encouraging them to pick a spot or two in each class to share out loud. When they did participate, he made a point to thank them for it. The result was what I saw this week. There is nothing... More
MUSE: The Literary Magazine of Boston University Academy
The Media of Unparalleled Student Expression, or MUSE, is BUA's student-run literary magazine, which seeks to highlight the artistic voice of the student body. Over the course of the academic year, students submit poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art pieces to the club. At weekly meetings, the LitMag team gathers to workshop these submissions, offering both constructive criticism and enthusiastic support. With snacks in hand, students build a space of artistic trust where creative risks are encouraged and feedback is respectful. In April and early May, the editorial team curates and compiles final selections from these submissions and includes them in MUSE. The magazine seeks to uplift a wide spectrum of voices and aesthetics. The final product is more than a publication, it is a reflection of the club’s work, shaped by critique, connection, and snacks! We hope you enjoy the 2025 edition of MUSE!