Boston University Academy

BUA is a stunningly good high school. The teachers are excellent, committed and enthusiastic. No significant turnover in the faculty in last few years. The head of school and the administration are honest, helpful and professional; I have heard no criticisms whatsoever from current parents/students. Our child turned down offers from the "top" private and public schools in the area to go here and has not regretted that for an instant. BUA is an excellent choice for an "academically advanced,  independent-minded student"-- if the student is self-motivated and enjoys learning. I strongly suggest that a prospective student visit BUA, sit in on classes, and be allowed to decide for themselves if they will fit well into the unique and wonderful BUA community of scholars.

BUA is a terrific school!  Our daughter (neither "quirky" nor "odd", except in her love of learning) is very happy there, in a peer community that is both intellectual and fun!  We could not be more pleased with her teachers or the rigor of the curriculum.  We have not needed a great deal of interaction with the admin., but when we have, we have been impressed with the academic leadership and their understanding of students.  We highly recommend BUA.

The school is quirky and odd as are the students. I would advise those interested to insist on meeting the head of school before signing anything official. It might just change your mind. The school looks good ONLY on paper, imo. Tread cautiously.

anonymous: The school's reputation in the community has suffered based on the current administration. Administration is not student or parent friendly. My best advice is to ask around, call parents who have children enrolled, those who have chodlren who graduated and those who left. Tread cautiosly!

Not a good place for an academically advanced,  independent -minded student. Shop around, ask questions, talk to other parents. Many unhappy parents. Consider very CAREFULLY before committing.

Dad: I am unimpressed with this school. Everything looks good on paper, but not so in day to day school life. I think administration needs a complete overhaul.

proud parent: Considering the cost of tuition, there are clearly better choices in the Boston and greater Boston area. In my experience, the school is trying to run like a profitable business and the headmaster does not include the parents enough. It is not a warm, close environment. It seems like they are always scrambling and the school is far from being a 'well-oiled machine'. For that much money--I want my child to be on auto-pilot or I might as well attend the Pubic School. There have been high faculty turn over issues, but the teachers who have remained are pretty strong, with some exceptions.

JB: BUA is not in the standard prep school mold of APs and sports. Instead, kids spend the first two years immersed in the Western Canon, with a strong math and science foundation as well. Somewhat unusually, the sequence is physics, chemistry, biology.  Students then reach out to Boston University , and as seniors have their pick of courses. (As juniors, they generally take just a couple of BU courses and are more constrained.) And, although the school is not in a 'competitive' sports league, kids do play - and everyone who wants to be on a team is.

BUA is a great school for intelligent students who are a bit outside the conventional prep school mold. Students have access to university classes  - most graduate with quite a bit of university experience. The curriculum is demanding, and classical in nature, including reading in a great deal of the Western Canon. The students are happy and friendly - they work hard, but BUA is not a pressure-cooker. Contrary to the claim of another poster, the turnover rate of teachers is not high.

SG: Very quirky student body. The school is a nice model for alternative education, but in practice, it is very limited. They suffer from trying too hard to be another prep school when their strength was their uniqueness.  A lot of money to pay for not a whole lot in return.

In my experience the school has some very strong teachers, but a very weak administration. The leadership needs to focus on the student and not the revenue--that is up to the business department. The leadership takes a very legal approach to admissions which made us uncomfortable. While we felt there were many positive aspects to consider at this school, they turned out t be empty promises. Frankly, I was expecting a more 'polished and better informed admissions department.

In our experience, the school places the student's academic well being below revenue considerations. The administration was not up front with us about placement and our child suffered as a result. Be cautious before committing to this school. Ask questions and request all answers in writing!

BUA is a wonderful place for very bright kids, particularly those who don't fit the usual prep school mold.  Students are passionate, but also friendly and very supportive of each other. The academics are extraordinary. Students are fairly restricted the first two years since these years are devoted to a deep study of the Western civ canon, and a strong background in math and science, but after that, students reach out in all directions as they explore the university connection.

In my opinion, this school is not what it represents itself to be. When the school was in it's infancy, it strived to provide an accelerated education for highly academic and motivated students. The school still claims that this is what they offer, but in reality, it falls short. Independent thinkers are not valued here. The administration is more interested in revenue than education--at the students expense.  Teacher retention has been a big problem over the past 2 years.