Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Latin School

Do you have questions about the Boston Latin School? See if they’re answered in this list of BLS Frequently Asked Questions. 

Q. What is Boston Latin School?
A. Boston Latin School (BLS) is a public school that begins in grade 7 and ends in grade 12, making it both a middle and a high school. Many people say that BLS is one of the best schools in the whole country. The classes at the school are so challenging that all students leave well prepared to be successful in the future.

Q. Where is Boston Latin School?
A. The school is located in the Longwood area of Boston, near the Fens. Its address is 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, 02115.
From Park Street Station take the Green Line ‘E’ to Longwood/Hospital area. Walk down Longwood Avenue; go right onto Avenue Louis Pasteur.
From Forest Hills Station take the Copley bus (#39) to Longwood Avenue. Proceed as above.
From Dudley or Ruggles Station or Boston City Hospital take the Central Square bus (#47) to Avenue Louis Pasteur or take the Kenmore Square bus (#8).

Q. Do you need to live in Boston to attend Boston Latin School?
A. YES, you do need to live in Boston. 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

NO EXCEPTIONS. Somerville, Quincy, Brookline, etc. are NOT part of Boston.

Q. How do I sign my child up to take the exam?
A. Please visit the Boston Public Schools Exam School page for complete and official information.

Information packets will be available at ALL Boston Public School middle schools in mid-September each year. Testing locations and times will be included in the information packet.

NOTE: Packets ARE NOT AVAILABLE at Boston Latin School.

Q. What is the name of the entrance test? When is the test date?
A. The Independent Schools Entrance Exam (ISEE) for admission will be held on a Saturday in November. Eligible students must officially be in grades 6 or 8. Boston Latin School accepts into grades 7 & 9 only. Check the Boston Public Schools website for exam information by clicking here.

Q. Is entrance based solely on test scores?
A. No, in addition to the ISEE, the Boston School Department requires a Grade Point Average 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.

Q. Is there a prep course or book about the entrance exam? What about prep courses?
A. There are many ISEE prep books available. One example is the Barron’s ISEE Book, which includes practice exams. Prep books can be found in any large bookstore. The Educational Records Bureau (ERB) also publishes the “What to Expect on the ISEE”. Get more information online at www.iseetest.org. 

For more information, please visit the Boston Latin School website. Their Frequently Asked Questions page has links to more information.