Boston University Academy

Boston University Academy
Location
Map
Boston
,
Massachusetts

United States
Information
TypeIndependent Secondary School
MottoLearning Without Limits[1]
Established1993
Head of SchoolChristos Kolovos
Staff46
Teaching staff24
Number of students245
Color(s)   Scarlet, white and black
AthleticsNew England Preparatory School Athletic Council – Massachusetts Bay Independent League, Girls’ Independent League
MascotRhett the Boston Terrier
NicknameTerriers
AffiliationsBoston University, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Websitebuacademy.org

Boston University Academy (BUA) is a private high school operated by Boston University. Founded in 1993 and located on the Boston University campus, the academy is geared toward college preparatory work. As part of its integration with the university, students are able to take college courses for credit their junior and senior years. Students are guaranteed acceptance to Boston University if they maintained a 3.0 grade point average in Boston University courses and have no history of major disciplinary actions.

BUA's student body is drawn from over 51 communities: 33% come from public schools, 61% from independent schools, 5% from parochial schools and 1% are from home-school or international schools; 53% are students of color and 37% of students come from multilingual households (representing 30 languages). BUA provides need-based tuition assistance to approximately 29% of the students as of the 2024–2025 academic year.[2]

Accreditation

The academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the Association of Independent Schools of New England.[3][4]

History

Boston University Academy was proposed and founded in 1993 by Peter Schweich, then the vice president for publications of Boston University, and authorized by John Silber,[5] then the president of Boston University. Peter Schweich was its first headmaster, and served in that role until 1999, when he was succeeded by interim head of school Dr. Jennifer Bond Hickman.[6][7] Dr. James Tracy replaced Hickman and served until the spring of 2006, when he was replaced by Dr. James Berkman.[8] On August 21, 2014, Berkman announced that he would retire after the 2014–2015 academic year.[9] On November 14, 2014, Provost Jean Morrison announced the appointment of Dr. Ari Betof to replace Berkman effective July 1, 2015. In July 2018, Boston University announced the removal of Dr. Betof following an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a Boston University undergraduate student.[10] Following his departure, Dr. Rosemary White was appointed interim head of school.[11] Dr. White served as interim head of school until Christos J. Kolovos began his tenure in the summer of 2020.[12]

When Boston University Academy was founded, it covered grades 9–12; an 8th grade of approximately 20 students was added in 1999. The 8th grade was dropped in 2005.

On October 26, 2021, teacher Jennifer Formichelli was struck by a bus and killed.[13][14]

Notable faculty

  • Philip Gambone, a published author, primarily taught freshman English during his 13-year tenure from 2004 until his retirement in 2017.[15] Gambone returned for the 2018–2019 academic year after which time he again retired.
  • Brett Abigaña, a noted composer and co-founder and associate director of the Boston Composers' Coalition.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Announcing BUA's New Brand!". Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  2. ^ "BUA By the Numbers 2024-2025". issuu. 2024-09-18. Archived from the original on 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  3. ^ "Boston University Academy". New England Association of Schools and Colleges. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  4. ^ "Boston University Academy". AISNE. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  5. ^ Shapira, Andrew (2006-12-06). "Shortcut to college". The Daily Free Press. Archived from the original on 2007-10-10. Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  6. ^ Fitzgerald, Brian (1999-06-11). "BU Academy seen as educational model". B.U. Bridge News. Archived from the original on 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  7. ^ "Boston University to Open an Unusual High School". The New York Times. 1992-04-19. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  8. ^ Lipchitz, Rebecca (2006-04-20). "BU Academy has a new headmaster". BU Today. Archived from the original on 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  9. ^ Laskowski, Amy (2014-12-17). "New Head of School for Boston University Academy". BU Today. Archived from the original on 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  10. ^ Fernandes, Dierdre (12 July 2018). "BU parted with its private school president over a misconduct allegation". Boston Globe. John W. Henry.
  11. ^ Fernandes, Dierdre (10 July 2018). "Head of school at Boston University Academy is suddenly out". Boston Globe. John W. Henry. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  12. ^ Barlow, Rich. "Longtime Private School Educator to Lead Boston University Academy". BU Today. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  13. ^ Pasquini, Maria. "Boston Teacher Fatally Struck by School Bus While Walking Dogs: 'Just Terrible,' Fiancé Says". People. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Woman Hit, Killed By School Bus In Mattapan Remembered As 'All-Around Good Person'". CBS 4 Boston. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  15. ^ "Veteran English Teacher Phil Gambone Announces His Retirement at the End of Academic Year". Boston University Academy. Retrieved 3 July 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Biography". Brett Abigana. Retrieved 3 July 2017.

42°21′04″N 71°06′35″W / 42.3510°N 71.1098°W / 42.3510; -71.1098