Boston University Academy

Infobox_University
name = Boston University Academy
latin_name= Academia Universitarum Bostoniensis


motto = Nil Doctis Arduum (Nothing Daunts a Scholar)
nickname = BUA
established = Founded in 1993
type = Independent secondary School
principal = James Berkman
city = Boston
state = Massachusetts
country = USA
address = One University Road
Boston, MA 02215
students= 156
teaching faculty= 14
administrators= 14
campus = One building, located in the center of the Boston University campus. BUA has full use of the University facilities.
mascot = Rhett the Boston Terrier
colors = Scarlet and Black
affiliations = Boston University, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges
telephone = [phone]
website = [http://www.buacademy.org www.buacademy.org]

Boston University Academy (BUA) is a independent school for boys and girls in grades 9-12 with genuine intellectual curiosity, strong academic abilities, and diverse interests. Founded in 1993 and located on the Boston University campus, the Academy offers highly motivated students unparalleled preparation for the college experience. Engaging with dedicated teachers in a caring community, students first immerse themselves in a classically based core curriculum and then continue their intellectual interests through course work at Boston University.

BUA's student body is drawn from 49 communities. 50% come from independent schools, 42% from public schools, 4% from parochial schools and 4% are from home schools. 22% are students of color. BUA provides tuition assistance to approximately 31% of the students. BUA,"facts and figures",2008,http://www.bu.edu/academy/admissions/quickfacts/]

Mission

The mission of Boston University Academy is to educate talented students who are passionate about learning and who share the joy of inquiry. Engaging with dedicated teachers in a small and caring community, students first immerse themselves in a classically-based curriculum and then continue to expand their intellectual interests in high school at Boston University, a major research institution.

Academic Rigor

BU Academy student SAT scores College Board, "SATs", 2006, http://www.collegeboard.com/] are consistently high. According to Peterson's Guide, in 2007 all students scored 600 or above on all three sections of the SATs. "BUA SATs",2007, http://www.petersons.com/pschools/code/instVC.asp?inunid=2634&sponsor=1] Of the 37 members of the class of 2007, 18 were Commended National Merit Scholars, and 6 were National Merit Semi-Finalists. (National Merit Commended Scholars generally score in the top 2% of all PSAT/NMSQT test-takers.

However, the focus of the school is not on standardized test taking or college admission. Rather, the school seeks to introduce its students to the rich Western Tradition while giving a solid background in math and science.

History

Boston University Academy was proposed and founded in 1993 by Peter Schweich, [cite news
first = Carol
last = Innerst
title = High school at Boston University directs students into academic life
publisher = The Washington Times
page = 2
date = 1997-06-08
accessdate = 2007-09-06
language = English ] [cite news
first = Brian
last = Fitzgerald
title = BU Academy seen as educational model
publisher = Boston University Bridge
date = 1999-06-11
accessdate = 2007-09-06
language = English

] then the Vice President of Boston University, and authorized by John Silber, BU Daily Free Press, "A look at Boston University Academy, the elite private high school at the heart of the BU campus", 6 December 2006, who saw it as a potential feeder school for the university. http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2006/12/06/Spotlight/Shortcut.To.College-2525034.shtml] then the president of Boston University. Peter Schweich was its first headmaster, and served in that role until 1999, when he was succeeded by Dr. Jennifer Bond Hickman. James Tracy replaced Dr. Hickman and served until the spring of 2006, when he was replaced by the current Head of School, James Berkman.

James Berkman has recently announced plans to increase the student body size from 156 to 192 within ten years, and to proportionally increase the faculty and the building area available to the school.

When BU Academy was founded it covered grades 8-12, with am 8th grade of aound 20 students, half the size of other grades. Between the 2004-2005 and the 2005-2006 school years the administration chose to remove the 8th grade, so that now it only covers grades 9-12.

Notable faculty

Boston University Academy has many graduates of prestigious universities on its faculty, some with advanced degrees. Boston University Academy, "Faculty & Staff", 2006, http://www.bu.edu/academy/about/faculty-staff/]

Notable faculty include:
*Philip Gambone, Head of the English Department

tudent activities

Student activities include:

*Model United Nations- a student run club including nearly one-third of the school's student population. [http://buamun.org BUA Model UN website]
* [http://www.burobotics.org/science/ Science Team] - a large team who competes to demonstrate their superior science skills in the [http://mail.bedford.k12.ma.us/~michael_griffin/WSSL Western Suburban Science League] .
* [http://www.burobotics.org/ Robotics] -The BUA Robotics team competes in the FIRST league and many local competitions.
*Nerdly Games, a student-run club which oragnizes Dungeons & Dragons games, Miniatures Wargames (like Warhammer 40,000), Magic the Gathering Tournements, and various leisure activities. Although this club is not a serious as many other clubs in terms of member commitments, Nerdly Hobbies has recently become one of the most popular clubs in the entire school.
*Sports such as: Basketball, Crew, Crosscountry, Fencing, Sailing, Soccer, Tennis, and Ultimate.
*Dance Team
*Photography Club
*Yearbook
*Cheese Club, a student run organization celebrating cheese.
*Social Issues group
*Opera Club, which studies and then attends a performance of various opera.
*Math Team
*Environmental club- A club who helps the environment through an extensive recycling program.
*Literary Magazine (LitMag) and LitCafe, where student authors and artist can publish and share their works with the school community.
*BU Academy Press- A student-run and edited newspaper that brings the important news to the students.
*Art Club
*Gallery Hoppers, where students take an afternoon to visit a local art gallery (and often grab a snack).
*Drama, including the Drama class as well as the Senior Play and Independent Drama.
*Many Students help in admissions, performing such functions as Tour Guides and Hosting visiting applicants
*Student Council, which organizes most student activities and functions.
*Peer Tutors- A group of students who help their peers by tutoring them in subjects where they need help.
*Mandatory community service

Student activities formerly included other activities such as:
*Music Diversity club
*Chess Club

Accreditation

The Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of both the Secondary School Admission Test Board and the Association of Independent Schools of New England.

External links

* [http://buacademy.org buacademy.org-Official Site]
* [http://buamun.org buamun.org-Model UN Site]
* [http://burobotics.org Robotics Website]

References