The Boston Latin School is a public exam school in Boston, Massachusetts. It was established on April 23, 1635, making it the oldest public school in colonial-era British America and the oldest existing school in the United States.
Serving 2,424 students in grades 7-12, Boston Latin School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Massachusetts for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 80% (which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 87% (which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 44%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Massachusetts state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 49% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 2,424 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 98% (Top 10% in MA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 80% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 87% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: 87% (Top 1%)
- Attendance Zone: Boston Latin's attendance zone covers the entire Boston school district, encompassing approximately 49.8 square miles. The typical drive to the school is about 10-12 minutes, with the furthest edge of the zone located 7.8 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Boston Latin School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Boston Latin School's student population of 2,424 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 130 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,424 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
130 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1635
School Calendar
School Motto
Sumus Primi
School Rankings
Boston Latin School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,626 schools in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Boston Latin School is 0.76, 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
#23 out of 1626 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
80%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
87%
44%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
87%
44%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
12:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
31%
8%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
17%
26%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
15%
10%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
32%
51%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
98%
89.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)15.6%
22.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
26%
34%
Showing 2011–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
5%
5%
Showing 2004–2014. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Purple
School Mascot
"wolfie"
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boston Latin School's ranking?
Boston Latin School is ranked #23 out of 1,626 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Massachusetts.
What schools are Boston Latin School often compared to?
Boston Latin Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Boston Latin Academy by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
80% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 42% MA state average), while 87% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 44% MA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Boston Latin School?
The graduation rate of Boston Latin School is 98%, which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 89.2%.
How many students attend Boston Latin School?
2,424 students attend Boston Latin School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
32% of Boston Latin School students are White, 31% of students are Asian, 17% of students are Hispanic, 15% of students are Black, and 5% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Boston Latin School?
Boston Latin School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 12:1.
What grades does Boston Latin School offer ?
Boston Latin School offers enrollment in grades 7-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Boston Latin School part of?
Boston Latin School is part of Boston School District.
In what neighborhood is Boston Latin School located?
Boston Latin School is located in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area neighborhood of Boston, MA.
School Reviews
Review Boston Latin School. 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
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
