Boston Latin Academy ranked first in the 10th grade English section of the 2009 MCAS, and was tied for 2nd in math.
BLA was one of only six schools in Massachusetts with more than 95 percent of students scoring proficient or higher in ELA, Math, and Science, Technology/Engineering. (WCVB)
Full MCAS rankings are available here.
Click on the grade you will be entering to download your summer reading assignment.
Posted in Academics
Congratulations to the BLA Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) team, who won their division in a physics competition at Harvard. The BLA JETS team defeated Newton North and Milton Academy in a series of multiple-choice and free-response physics questions. Their score qualifies them as National Finalists. Congratulations to Khoi Nguyen, Leticia Lopez-Benitez, Philip Simon, Rajendra Balram, Shawnna Thomas, Judy Wong, Ronesha Williams, and Mamadou Diallo. For more information, see Ms. Hansel (room 330) or http://jets.org/.
Posted in Academics, Athletics and Activities, Parents, Students
o the Hapgood Library at Boston Latin Academy.The “History Revised @your library” grant, awarded through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, supports teacher planning and student learning in the area of United States History.
History teachers at the school will assist librarians Marta Estrada and Mary Moniz in the selection of new U.S. History books to expand the library’s collection. More than 500 Boston Latin Academy students take U.S. History courses each year, including many juniors and seniors enrolled in Advanced Placement U.S. History and “Facing History and Ourselves.” The grant also will support a project to develop research and writing skills for more than 300 ninth grade students taking American History courses.
Posted in Academics
Parents’ Science Support Group
Boston Latin Academy is in the process of forming a science-focused parent group to work with Science faculty members and students. The aim of the group is to expose students to the excitement of science through various school-sponsored programs and to provide access to scientific opportunities in the greater Boston area. Current proposals for the group’s activities include, but are not limited to, revising the science fair, judging the science fair, providing science mentors for interested students and brainstorming avenues for students exposure to the Boston scientific community. If you are a parent with interest or expertise in science or medicine, or if you have contact with members of the Boston scientific or medical community and are interested in joining this group, please contact BLA teacher Mr. David Barry (dbarry3@boston.k12.ma.us ; 617–635-9957) or BLA parent, Dr. Louane Hann (617-413-4897) by November 15.
Overview
The science program at BLA is designed to produce specifically literate students who will understand the scientific method; engage in and become adept at theories of the various sciences.
The grade 7-8 science program focuses on the development of science skills and habits. Course content in these years introduces the student to the basic principles of the biological, earth and physical sciences. During grades 9-12, students elect courses which emphasize the three scientific disciplines of biology, physics, and Advanced Placement level science courses.
Eight grade students whose academic record is clearly superior will be invited to take Honors Biology in the ninth grade. The primary purpose of taking Honors Biology as a freshman is to prepare high achieving students for advanced level work in the sciences. Any ninth grade student in either Biology or Honors Biology class who excels in their course work will be invited to enter the Honors Chemistry program in grade 10. Students who perform well in Honors Chemistry will be eligible for AP level science courses beginning in grade 11.
There are there college-level science courses offered as electives to senior/advanced junior students: AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry. Students planning to take AP level courses must have a B- or better average in prior math and science courses, be recommended by a current science teacher, and approved by the science department chairman.
Posted in Academics, Departments