<p>Thank you so much, lotf629, for conjuring up the atmosphere of the place so well! It sounds perfect for my son, and if we do relocate I hope he will be able to go there.</p>
<p>If you have any interest or curiousity about BUA, you really have to go to the open house. As other posters have explained, the school is different, an academically excellent private school that is new, very small (esp. for a coed school) and not a prep school. The impression we got was that many of the students would have been outliers at their public schools, but at BUA were right in the mainstream. The teachers seemed amazing, but the sports were barely existent and other EC's also less than what a good public school would offer. Commute would have been long - kids do come from a wide area - and I'm not sure BUA would have offered social opportunities we feel are also an important part of high school. I think they like high SSAT scores, but your child would not be competing with jocks or legacies for spaces, just siblings.</p>
<p>BUA will take 10th graders and rarely 11th graders. This past year there were just somewhere between 2 and 4 as I recall. Evidence of considerable academic ability and achievement is important - SSATs, SATs, grades, teacher recommendations, and other material as is relevant. There is no preference for sports ability/achievement and no slots for legacies (the oldest grads are just not old enough to have any children old enough yet!), although siblings probably get a plus.
Sports program is very modest, but interesting. It's not for kids who want high school sports to be a major part of the experience.
ECs are fewer than at larger schools, but those that do exist are very good. Model UN, Robotics, theatre, Science team, Yearbook, lit. magazine are all pretty strong.</p>
<p>The posts in this thread are very helpful! I learned a lot about BU Academy. It seems many of you either live in Boston or have children enrolled in Boston schools. Rather than hijacking this thread, I've started a new one called Day/Boarding School options in the Greater Boston Area. I would appreciate your comments in the new thread. Thanks!</p>
<p>I realize this response is very tardy but I thought I'd add my .02 with regard to Boston University Academy. In my experience, this school differs greatly from what I have been reading on this site. While the school does distinquish itself for the eventual ability of its students to take classes at BU, there are also many negtives that one may not be able to appreciate until such time they apply to and matriculate at this school. The best way to find out about this school is to contact parents who are currently enrolled as well as those who graduated or left. I would caution you that in our exoerience we fee that BUA is very much interested in having a full school and you might be told one thing before applying, which may change drastically after your child is accepted and the tution is paid. We feel our child was treated very poorly by the administration and suffered emotionally as a result. They do not individualize and may even hold your child back by making your child repeat course material (so ask up front what your child's placement options, if any, will be). The focus of this school has shifted dramatically, in my opinion, over the past couple of years when we first considered it. The school is now run by businessmen and lawyer and it is very apparent. The needs of the student, in our experience, took second place to the needs of the BU coffers. I believe there are ethical misrepresentation problems with this school and I would caution anyone considering applying to do their homework! BUA has been very dissappointing on many fronts. There are other families who have had similar experiences with this school as it relates to lack of disclosure issues, reneged agreements, etc. For the cost of tuition, there are many other good choices out there. But, if this school is of any interest to your child, consider waiting until 11th grade when the University courses kick in. I honestly hope this helps. I'd hate for another family to go through what we have had to endure.</p>
<p>Wow Massparent, sounds like you and the school are at dagger points. I don't mean to pry, but since you have made some pretty serious allegations, it would be helpful if you provided some details to support what are right now pretty conclusory statements. It sounds like you were not happy with the courses your child was put in, but presumably that was based on how they did on some of the placement tests the school gives kids before they start.</p>
<p>I'm a little troubled because your view of the school is so at odds with mine - although I do not have any children at BU. However, my son did tour the school two years ago, and it was his second choice after the BS he is currently attending. We also have close friends who sent their son to the school for three years before the whole family relocated for the Dad's job. I know they were very happy with the school and encouraged us to apply. </p>
<p>We found the school to be pretty impressive academically and came away thinking it would be a perfect fit for someone who's smart, has a strong interest in math and science, but is not a big sports person.</p>
<p>prpdd,
This is our opinion based on our experience. No assaults or allegations, just the truth from our perspective. It is all hard for us to believe, too, that an educational institution would treat students and families in the manner in which we were treated. No, we are not debating testing results that determiend placement--that was not the real issue. We want parents to be aware that you may trust a school to do what is in the best interest of the child and be upfront and honest, but in our experience, this was not the case with BUA. Certainly others have had different experiences than ours (though I have spoken to some BUA families who told me, after the fact, that they have had negative experiences as well). It is good for people to have all information before entering into a relationship with a school for four years, especially when it affects their child directly (obviously).</p>
<p>It is very important for parents to hear all perspectives about a school when the decision could have a profund affect on their child. What was noted in my previous post was our opinion based on our experience. I am sure there are also others who have had very different experiences with this school than ours. Again--this is our honest experience and I am not saying that others at the school have not had very positive experiences. We did not.</p>
<p>None of what I noted as our experience was a dispute based on test results to determine class enrollment as you have presumed. This is a much more complicated situation that reveals a larger, perhaps systemic issue, in my opinion. </p>
<p>I would like families to be aware and do their homework in the secondary school search stage. We were too naive and trusting.</p>
<p>Massparent, I appreciate your candor. I have found that parents are often the most unreliable sources of information about a school, be the school public or private. The school is always "great" "wonderful" "perfect for my child."</p>
<p>Having said that, no school is perfect and no school is totally awful. Here are my questions for you:</p>
<p>What are the two best things about BUA?</p>
<p>What are the two worst things about BUA?</p>
<p>What type of student would flourish at BUA?</p>
<p>What type of student would not do well at BUA?</p>
<p>We are thinking of sending our children to BUA, so your answers to these questions would be of keen interest to us, and I suspect to others.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I remember about four years ago I applied and spent a day there as an accepted student. Kids there are really nerdy.... I mean, like really. It's not like a typical prep school. No one plays sports(or their athletic department is less rigorous compared to ISLs), and the whole school is basically like one ugly block of a building located among cars and streets. But everyone there seemed very smart. I think their academics are very well-respected(My mom almost wanted me to go there, because she thought I could easily transfer to Andover from BUA. It's that good). But I preferred boarding schools way more and couldn't see myself there even for one year.</p>
<p>Fair enough, JimC</p>
<p>In my opinion, the two best things about this school are: 1. Eventual ability to undertake university classes at BU 2nd half of Jr year and Sr year 2. Intellectual student body (though some other schools in the Boston area also boast this, it seems to be BUA's big selling point).</p>
<p>The two worst things, IMO are: 1. Inflexibility 2. Very low teacher retention rates. I can think of some other negative aspects but they may only apply to our situation and maybe a few other families, so I won't be specific on this public board; however, feel free to send me a private message and I will try to help you and will provide an honest, frank response outlining our experience. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Massparent is slightly inaccurate about BU classes. All BUA students take biology at BU in the fall and spring semesters of 11th grade. Most also take a language at BU at that point. As seniors, most students are taking at least two and possibly more BU classes each semester. However, some students take BU classes earlier when necessary. This is nearly always in math, and is quite rare, but not unheard of. BUA math goes through multivariant calculus (roughly a year more math than AP calc AB to be precise).</p>
<p>BUA is a very different place - it is not at all in the mold of the typical NE prep school, and that is a most deliberate choice.
Sports - sports are not a big deal at BUA. It competes in some of the smaller leagues, but being on a sports team (there are a few - basketball, fencing, and soccer are the primary ones) is not a big deal. Kids do exercise, and everyone gets to try lots of sports (like crew). But, if your child wants to play at the ISL, BUA is not the place.
Inflexibility - I'm not sure precisely what Massparent is getting at. BUA is small, so 9th and 10th graders all take the same English/history/science track. They choose Latin or Greek (with advanced placement options) for those two years. After that, they can continue in the classics or take any language BU offers. 9th and 10 graders also take Art and Drama (each is a full year course). Math is by placement exam with no upper limit. Most BUA students will take geometry as 9th graders, but many are placed at higher levels. In 11th grade, all students still take English and history at BUA. All take biology (two semesters) at BU. By 12th grade, there is near complete flexibility in some ways. All seniors write a senior thesis on a topic of interest. Some take 'senior seminars' at BUA. Some take math and/or language at BUA. Some take all their classes except senior thesis at BU.
Building - indeed. BUA has one small building, right by the BU bridge. It's not the place to go if you yearn for a lovely campus. But BUA does not lack certain facilities. BUA has use of the BU facilites in general. The student union is literally across the street and provides a nice range of dining options. The library is a short walk away.
If you have a smart kid, visit BUA. It's the best way to find out if it could be a fit.</p>
<p>Where I disagree with nemom here (we may even know eachother) is that Boston University Academy does not offer AP courses, and certainly not in Latin and Greek. This statement of fact does not diminish the academic strenghth of some of their courses, I just wanted to set the record straight.</p>
<p>BUA is far from perfect and when prospective parents search for information from current families, the relayer of information may be less than forthcoming. To reliably evaluate a school you need to find it's detractors as well. This is more difficult to do especially when the school provides parents with lists of "happy" parents (school cheerleaders, Parent's Organization members and the like). Current families may paint a rosier picture as they may fear negative information leaking about the school. Imagine this happeneing just befoe the college application process--EEK!</p>
<p>I tend to agree with many of the somewhat cryptic comments made by mass parent. I understand exactly where he is coming from, and I think I understand what he is "saying".</p>
<p>My opinion is that BU Academy is a good fit for a somewhat conforming kid who is nerdly smart (one need not be brilliant), but not too pre-occupied with extra-curriculars. While the school has, unfortunately, changed over the past 2-3 years, it still has it's niche.</p>
<p>If I gave the impression that BUA offers AP courses, that was an accident. It does not. What I meant was that students who have already studied either Latin or Greek can take a placement test and will be placed in the appropriate level of either language. (Now, incoming students who have taken classical Greek are extremely rare, but it has happened.) I'll note in passing that there is no AP exam in classical Greek. There are two for Latin
It is true that BUA does not label any classes as "AP". Students can and do take AP tests when there is good reason to do so.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your comments. Can you help us understand what types of conformity make a difference? Also, how has the school changed over the last few years?</p>
<p>what types of conformity make a difference? I am not sure what you are asking-but I know what I was trying to convey, though perhaps inarticulately. In my experience with this school, A child who is willing to adhere to pre-set policy (whether or not he is aware of the policy beforehand or whtehr he agrees with the "policy"), is compliant in nature, and is a "go-with-the-flow" type of kid will do better here. Intellectual outliers or those who are independent thinkers and those who need flexible educational arrangemnts in anything other than math, may no longer be well served in this school. Perhaps these types should consider a school like Commonwealth. While Commonwealth too has some quirky kids, they seems to do a superb job in fostering "independent thinking".</p>
<p>How has the school changed? Years ago at BUA there was a commitment to challenging highly intelligent students. The focus has become more mainstream (except for math). Students are expected to complete a linear humanites/classics curriculum. There is no longer an understanding, in my opinion, of the highly gifted student in a more global sense. I feel other schools are better at nurturing these types of students. I feel BUA is more concerned with uniformity, though they will not give that impression upfront. The school is very inflexible.</p>
<p>The curriculum at BUA for the first two years does have very limited flexibility, but this is generally made very clear to applicant families. Since the school is so small, with generally about three sections of about 13 per grade, there really is no way for the school to offer choices, nor does it wish to. Students do have some choices - Latin or Greek, art or drama, math by placement. There are also 'short courses' which are somewhat like minor electives. There are usually several of these each year, and students can take (I think) up to two each semester. (This will depend on schedule, I believe.)
Students who, indeed, have covered the exact material covered in the first two years (excluding math) will find that the school has limited ability to deal with their needs. That being said, the curriculum in the first two years is quite demanding and should serve most highly gifted kids well. Students are generally not allowed to take courses at the university until they are juniors, with the exception of math.
I would not classify BUA students as conforming or compliant. They are, in general, highly intelligent, friendly and helpful, and tend to the nerdy and quirky.
In terms of extracurriculars - again, the offerings are limited by the size of the school, however, the level of enthusiasm and effort can be quite high. Model UN and First Robotics come to mind. BUA also manages some stage productions - they avoid really big musicals because there simply aren't enough students.</p>
<p>Off topic but I thought BUA parents would be reading this thread-
Does anyone know if any students commute from Southern NH to BUA?<br>
TIA</p>
<p>At least one, I think. I think there may be a family that lived in NH then moved closer too, but I'm not sure. I know that, in general, kids coming from fairly far away sometimes find that commuter rail works well. BUA is right on the Green Line so kids could take the Plaistow line in, then switch at Park station. A lot of kids take the T at least part of the way. They can, of course, get student T-passes which are only $20/mnth.</p>