Click on the grade you will be entering to download your summer reading assignment.
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/.
Congratulations to the following 17 student-athletes for being named League All-Stars by The Boston Globe:
Girls’ Track: Eva MacDonald and Emily Kilbourn-Shear
Boys’ Track: Mohamed Ali
Girls’ Swimming: Justina Langone and Rachel McGrath
Boys’ Swimming: Sean Devlin and Andres Payne
Girls’ Basketball: Robi Cardoso and Jalisa Smith
Boys’ Basketball: Aaron Bray and Armani Gill
Girls’ Hockey: Shauna Smith, Kaila Connolly, Cailin Pagel, and Jill Petruziello
Boys’ Hockey: Brendon Kerrigan and Mike Newhall
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.
The World Languages Department at Boston Latin Academy consists of a classics division and a foreign language section.
INTRODUCTION
The Classics Department offers a required 4 year sequence of courses for students entering in grade 7 and a 3 year sequence for those entering in grade 9. It also offers the possibility to all students of following an accelerated course of study (Honors) beginning in Grade 8 (Grade 10 for B students), culminating in Advanced Placement Vergil for Grade 11 (or 12 for B students) and Advanced Placement Latin Literature in Grade 12. Ancient Greek is also offered as a junior/senior elective.
Although the study of Latin is primarily concerned with language, the course offerings include units on Classical mythology, history and politics, geography, and culture. It is our belief that the study of Latin needs to be set in its context, and that the content of the assigned readings can best be appreciated through the development of an understanding of Roman society, history and habits of thought. Classicists have been pioneers in developing the Internet as a resource for information, so that students are able to carry out both web-based and text-based research for their projects on topics ranging from the Roman army to the study of language and literature, including Greek culture and society as well.
The study of Latin is rigorous, demanding time and effort from the students. However, the rewards are worthwhile. All Grade 10 students are best prepared to take the SAT II Latin achievement test at the end of that year. Students in Advanced Placement classes take rigorous examinations in May. The challenging nature of these courses, and our high rate of success, make our students stronger applicants to very selective colleges and universities. Sophomores and juniors should be aware as they select courses for senior year that, if they are performing well academically, the Advanced Placement course may be selected.
We administer the National Latin examination, National Greek Examination, the National Mythology Examination, and the Medusa Mythology Examination to selected students each year. High scores on these tests may qualify students for scholarships, prizes, and make an impressive entry on a college application. Educators and college admissions personnel know that the study of Latin helps students achieve higher language scores on the SAT I and develops overall intellectual skills and discipline.
What do we do for fun? Many things! We run a series of intramural clubs such as the Classics Club and Certamen Club in which we groom students for written and oral competitions. Students have been successful both at the state and at national levels. The school has a very large and active chapter in the Massachusetts Junior Classical League and the National Junior Classical League. In recognition of the fact that our students can compete successfully with anyone anywhere, and that competition and socialization are an important part of learning, we participate every year in state and national events. See the Classics Club website for more information.
INTRODUCTION
Boston Latin Academy continually strives to provide every student with the best possible education, preparing all students to function effectively in the society in which they live. Therefore, we believe all students at Boston Latin Academy must develop competencies in using and applying a broad range of technologies to support lifelong learning.
Boston Latin Academy ’s vision is to aid its students in becoming skilled, knowledgeable, independent, and self-directed learners who are comfortable with and proficient in using technology in all its forms as information resources. Through the use of technology, with its varied aspects and applications, each student at Boston Latin Academy will be afforded opportunities and challenges that will allow them to successfully engage the future.
INTRODUCTION
History is more than memorizing a list of names and dates. History is everything that has happened since the beginning of time; however, that definition is so broad it would make it impossible to tell the story. Therefore, our study of history considers the period, which began five to six thousand years ago, when people began to keep records and continues to the present time.
Today we consider the study of history and social sciences to be an academic discipline – a formal field of study of definite time periods that we teach as year-long courses as World History, United States History, Economics and American Government.
Our goal is to prepare students to think critically about the events and issues that have shaped our past. Therefore, students are expected to develop the critical thinking skills that will enable them to: use historical perspectives; gain a cultural perspective; compare and contrast; problem solve; identify cause and effect; analyze; distinguish fact from opinion; identify values; hypothesize; evaluate; synthesize; understand geography; assess consequences, and take a stand.
Critical thinking is the reasoned judgment of information and ideas. These skills are needed if our students are to become effective citizens empowered to exercise their civil rights and assume responsibilities in a time when they are experiencing history every day.
BLA 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.
INTRODUCTION
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.
INTRODUCTION
It is the goal of the mathematics department at Boston Latin Academy to improve student achievement by developing logical reasoning and problem solving skills. We demonstrate how mathematics makes sense through a clear problem-solving model, examples and plenty of practice. We help all students connect to the content with rich data that demonstrates the real world of relevance of mathematics. We prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world by integrating the use of technology in visualizing mathematical relationships and solving real life problems.
INTRODUCTION
By definition, a guidance counselor’s job is to help people choose a job or career. At Boston Latin Academy, our guidance counselors help with many more decisions. Boston Latin Academy guidance counselors assist students and parents to determine the right path to success. Guidance counselors meet with students to help them make the right decisions and excel academically. They can also provide help in dealing with personal issues such as anger/conflict management, dealing with death, personal growth, relationships, and academic studies. A guidance counselor is a resource person, a coordinator, a consultant, a person who helps teachers, adults, and parents. When you are in need of any assistance, our guidance counselors are willing to help.
