Boston Arts Academy in Boston, Massachusetts, USA is Boston's first and only high school for the visual and performing arts and is a partnership between Boston Public Schools and the ProArts Consortium.
Serving 500 students in grades 9-12, Boston Arts Academy ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Massachusetts for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30-34% (which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 44%).
The student-teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the Massachusetts state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 49% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 500 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- Minority Enrollment: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 85-89% (Btm 50% in MA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Boston Arts Academy's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district, covering approximately 49.8 square miles in Boston, MA, with typical drive times to the school ranging from 10 to 12 minutes and an average distance of 4.3 miles to the zone's edge, reaching up to 8.4 miles at its furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Boston Arts Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Boston Arts Academy's student population of 500 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 52 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
500 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
52 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1998
School Calendar
School Motto
Talent is evenly distributed in society, but opportunity is not.
School Rankings
Boston Arts Academy ranks within the top 50% of all 1,626 schools in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Boston Arts Academy is 0.68, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#715 out of 1626 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
44%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
44%
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
12:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
2%
8%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
43%
26%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Black
34%
10%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
White
16%
51%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
85-89%
89.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)55.4%
22.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
52%
34%
Showing 2011–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
3%
5%
Showing 2004–2014. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boston Arts Academy's ranking?
Boston Arts Academy is ranked #715 out of 1,626 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Massachusetts.
What schools are Boston Arts Academy often compared to?
Boston Arts Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Fenway High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30-34% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 42% MA state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 44% MA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Boston Arts Academy?
The graduation rate of Boston Arts Academy is 85-89%, which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 89.2%.
How many students attend Boston Arts Academy?
500 students attend Boston Arts Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
43% of Boston Arts Academy students are Hispanic, 34% of students are Black, 16% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Boston Arts Academy?
Boston Arts Academy has a student ration of 10:1, which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 12:1.
What grades does Boston Arts Academy offer ?
Boston Arts Academy offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Boston Arts Academy part of?
Boston Arts Academy is part of Boston School District.
In what neighborhood is Boston Arts Academy located?
Boston Arts Academy is located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
i like this school, me & my bestfriend has been wanting to go to this school for quiet some time. i will set an appointment. i hope to see you soon
5 10/10/2025
Boston Arts Academy has saved my life. I came from Newton Country Day School, where I was bullied (specifically around my economic status, where I live, my culture, and my non-religious lifestyle), socially isolated, received no assistance for disabilities (I have ADHD), and was harassed. I suffer from not only ADHD, but depression, severe anxiety, and social anxiety. Being at Newton Country Day, I was suicidal, had no friends, no hope, no joy. I am now a (transfer) Sophmore student at BAA, and I'm the happiest I've ever been. I have friends, good grades, and not nearly as much social anxiety. There's no amount of money you could ever pay me to leave this school.
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