The Boston Latin Academy

Boston Latin Academy is widely known as one of the very best schools in the area. It has a 138-year history of academic excellence with an outstanding rate of college placement. The academy is an inner-city public school serving 1700 economically and culturally diverse students in grades 7-12 from Boston’s many neighborhoods. Simply put, Boston Latin Academy is a vibrant, diverse, and academically rigorous school where the Classics Club is just as popular as the football team.

Boston Latin Academy

Boston Latin Academy is one of three Boston public exam schools, along with Boston Latin School and the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. BLA educates students from grade 7 through grade 12. Students are accepted in grades 7 and 9. Their mission is to prepare students for higher academic study by challenging them with a rigorous curriculum, and the classical and liberal arts education allows students to become successful participants in a diverse and challenging society. Some of their alumni are now government officials, professional newscasters, leading-edge scientists, and successful entrepreneurs. 

Interested students in grades 6 and 8 must register for the ISEE test, which typically takes place on the first Saturday of November (with a registration deadline sometime in September). In addition to the ISEE, the Boston School Department requires a Grade Point Average (GPA) for each candidate. The GPA is based on grades in English and Math for the final marks for Grade 5 or 7 and for the first half of grades 6 or 8. The criteria for the exam school admissions process consist of the ISEE scores and Grade Point Average, each accounting for 50%.

Application to Boston public exam schools requires proof of Boston residency for both the child and parent/guardian prior to taking the ISEE test.

BLA Students

There are no exceptions to this residency requirement. Boston includes: Allston, Boston (Back Bay, Downtown, Fenway, North End, South End, West End), Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury, Roxbury Crossing, South Boston, and West Roxbury.

If you would like to see the school before applying or attending, student-led tours for prospective families are offered during the school day from November through January on select dates and times, and on a limited basis at other times during the school year.

Boston Latin Academy is located at 205 Townsend Street, Dorchester, MA 02121. They are in the geographic center of Boston and attract students from all over the city. You can reach the school by phone at 617-635-9957. For more information, please visit the school website by clicking here.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services