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Boston Arts Academy

174 Ipswich Street
Boston, MA 02215

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Top 50%

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 473 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 is 20-24% (which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving is 60-64% (which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 44%).

The student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the Massachusetts state level of 12:1.

Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 47% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2025)

School Type: Alternative school
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 473 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 9:1
Minority Enrollment: 87%
: ≥95% (Top 20% in MA)
: Top 50%
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
: 60-64% (Top 20%)
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
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:

School Overview

Boston Arts Academy's student population of 473 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

The teacher population of 51 teachers has grown by 13% over five school years.

School Type

Alternative school

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Boston Arts Academy
9	119
10	130
11	115
12	108
Not Listed	1

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Total Students

473 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy
2023	494
2022	490
2021	482
2020	469
2019	469
2018	447
2017	447
2016	437
2015	441
2014	445
2013	420
2012	418
2011	384
2010	430
2009	399
2008	438
2007	408
2006	310
2005	393
2004	400
2003	392
2002	382
2001	254
2000	231
1999	142

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

51 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (2005-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy
2023	50
2022	46
2021	53
2020	45
2019	45
2018	50
2017	50
2016	33
2015	47
2014	47
2013	43
2012	42
2011	40
2010	36
2009	40
2008	35
2007	39
2006	42
2005	40

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Year Founded

1998

School Rankings

Boston Arts Academy ranks within the top 50% of all 1,631 schools in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Boston Arts Academy is 0.66, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (MA)

#813 out of 1631 schools
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Boston Arts Academy
2022	#813
2021	#1126
2019	#1234
2018	#202
2017	#179
2016	#304
2015	#276
2014	#473
2013	#266
2012	#284
2011	#651

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20-24%

41%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2022	22%	41%	27%
2021	22%	37%	22%
2019	37%	51%	35%
2018	72%	52%	36%
2017	72%	53%	36%
2016	72%	64%	47%
2015	72%	61%	44%
2014	62%	61%	44%
2013	72%	61%	42%
2012	77%	59%	40%
2011	57%	59%	39%

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60-64%

44%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2022	62%	44%	31%
2021	42%	49%	33%
2019	42%	54%	37%
2018	92%	56%	36%
2017	95%	54%	38%
2016	95%	71%	53%
2015	95%	69%	51%
2014	92%	69%	49%
2013	95%	69%	47%
2012	87%	69%	46%
2011	82%	70%	47%

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20-24%

44%

Student : Teacher Ratio

9:1

12:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (2005-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	10:1	12:1	12:1
2022	11:1	12:1	12:1
2021	9:1	12:1	11:1
2020	10:1	13:1	13:1
2019	10:1	13:1	13:1
2018	9:1	13:1	14:1
2017	9:1	13:1	14:1
2016	13:1	13:1	14:1
2015	9:1	13:1	13:1
2014	9:1	14:1	14:1
2013	10:1	14:1	13:1
2012	10:1	14:1	13:1
2011	10:1	14:1	13:1
2010	12:1	14:1	13:1
2009	10:1	14:1	13:1
2008	13:1	14:1	13:1
2007	10:1	13:1	13:1
2006	7:1	13:1	13:1
2005	10:1	14:1	12:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	1%	7%	8%
2022	2%	7%	9%
2021	2%	7%	8%
2020	4%	7%	8%
2019	4%	7%	8%
2018	4%	8%	8%
2017	4%	8%	8%
2016	5%	6%	7%
2015	2%	6%	8%
2014	3%	6%	9%
2013	2%	6%	9%
2012	3%	6%	9%
2011	3%	7%	9%
2010	4%	6%	9%
2009	4%	6%	9%
2008	6%	6%	9%
2007	5%	6%	9%
2006	3%	6%	9%
2005	3%	5%	9%
2004	2%	5%	10%
2003	2%	5%	10%
2002	3%	5%	9%
2001	1%	4%	8%
2000	1%	4%	9%
1999	2%	4%	10%

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Hispanic

46%

25%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	49%	24%	41%
2022	44%	23%	40%
2021	42%	22%	40%
2020	38%	21%	40%
2019	38%	21%	40%
2018	40%	19%	40%
2017	40%	19%	40%
2016	41%	19%	40%
2015	43%	18%	40%
2014	40%	17%	41%
2013	35%	16%	40%
2012	45%	16%	43%
2011	39%	15%	41%
2010	36%	15%	40%
2009	33%	14%	38%
2008	33%	15%	37%
2007	33%	14%	35%
2006	35%	13%	34%
2005	25%	12%	31%
2004	24%	12%	30%
2003	25%	11%	29%
2002	23%	11%	28%
2001	20%	11%	28%
2000	19%	10%	27%
1999	20%	10%	26%

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Black

34%

10%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	37%	10%	35%
2022	40%	10%	35%
2021	42%	10%	36%
2020	42%	9%	37%
2019	42%	9%	37%
2018	41%	9%	37%
2017	41%	9%	37%
2016	37%	9%	38%
2015	37%	9%	37%
2014	39%	9%	35%
2013	44%	9%	36%
2012	36%	8%	34%
2011	39%	8%	35%
2010	41%	8%	36%
2009	42%	8%	38%
2008	42%	8%	39%
2007	45%	8%	41%
2006	53%	8%	44%
2005	51%	9%	46%
2004	52%	9%	46%
2003	48%	9%	47%
2002	45%	9%	48%
2001	59%	9%	50%
2000	44%	9%	49%
1999	46%	9%	49%

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White

13%

53%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	9%	54%	13%
2022	10%	56%	13%
2021	9%	57%	14%
2020	11%	59%	13%
2019	11%	59%	13%
2018	12%	61%	13%
2017	12%	61%	13%
2016	15%	63%	13%
2015	15%	64%	13%
2014	16%	65%	14%
2013	15%	66%	13%
2012	13%	67%	13%
2011	15%	68%	13%
2010	14%	69%	13%
2009	17%	70%	13%
2008	19%	71%	13%
2007	17%	72%	14%
2006	24%	73%	13%
2005	21%	74%	14%
2004	22%	74%	14%
2003	25%	75%	14%
2002	28%	75%	15%
2001	38%	76%	14%
2000	35%	77%	15%
1999	32%	77%	15%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	4%	5%	3%
2022	4%	4%	3%
2021	5%	4%	2%
2020	4%	4%	2%
2019	4%	4%	2%
2018	3%	3%	2%
2017	3%	3%	2%
2016	2%	3%	2%
2015	3%	3%	2%
2014	2%	3%	1%
2013	2%	3%	2%
2012	2%	3%	1%
2011	2%	2%	2%
2010	3%	2%	2%
2009	3%	2%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.66

0.65

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	0.62	0.64	0.69
2022	0.64	0.62	0.69
2021	0.64	0.62	0.70
2020	0.67	0.60	0.69
2019	0.67	0.60	0.69
2018	0.66	0.58	0.69
2017	0.66	0.58	0.69
2016	0.68	0.56	0.68
2015	0.66	0.55	0.67
2014	0.67	0.54	0.70
2013	0.67	0.53	0.70
2012	0.67	0.52	0.68
2011	0.69	0.51	0.69
2010	0.69	0.50	0.69
2009	0.70	0.51	0.69
2008	0.70	0.47	0.69
2007	0.68	0.46	0.69
2006	0.73	0.45	0.69
2005	0.64	0.43	0.67
2004	0.63	0.43	0.67
2003	0.66	0.42	0.67
2002	0.68	0.41	0.67
2001	0.69	0.40	0.68
2000	0.66	0.39	0.67
1999	0.65	0.39	0.67

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≥95%

90%

View Data

Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2012-2022)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2022	95%	90%	81%
2021	92%	87%	79%
2020	87%	88%	75%
2019	82%	88%	73%
2018	82%	87%	75%
2017	92%	87%	73%
2016	92%	87%	72%
2015	82%	87%	71%
2014	92%	86%	67%
2013	87%	85%	66%
2012	87%	84%	66%

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

55%

35%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2023)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2023	53%	35%	65%
2022	53%	35%	66%
2021	54%	36%	65%
2020	56%	35%	65%
2019	56%	35%	65%
2015	59%	36%	65%
2014	68%	34%	74%
2013	56%	32%	66%
2012	56%	30%	64%
2011	54%	29%	68%
2010	53%	27%	67%
2009	46%	25%	65%
2008	46%	24%	62%
2007	49%	23%	64%
2006	61%	23%	66%
2005	55%	23%	73%
2004	49%	22%	65%
2001	46%	19%	67%
2000	33%	20%	64%

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Eligible for (13-14)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2001-2014)
Year	Boston Arts Academy	Massachusetts	Boston School District
2014	3%	5%	3%
2013	9%	5%	5%
2012	10%	5%	5%
2011	7%	5%	7%
2010	11%	6%	8%
2009	10%	6%	9%
2008	11%	5%	10%
2007	8%	5%	8%
2006	14%	5%	8%
2004	8%	5%	8%
2001	17%	5%	10%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Boston School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Boston Arts Academy's ranking?

Boston Arts Academy is ranked #813 out of 1,631 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?

20-24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 41% 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 95%, which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 90%.

How many students attend Boston Arts Academy?

473 students attend Boston Arts Academy.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

46% of Boston Arts Academy students are Hispanic, 34% of students are Black, 13% 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 9:1, 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 12/28/2015

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.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - g.gal

5 12/19/2014

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

- Posted by Student/Alumni - britt

Review Boston Arts Academy. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities

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Quick Stats (2025)

School Type: Alternative school
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 473 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 9:1
Minority Enrollment: 87%
: ≥95% (Top 20%)
: Top 50%
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
: 60-64% (Top 20%)
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education