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Topics: Educational Options: Day Schools , Grade Level: High School , Grade Level: Middle School

Website:	Boston University Academy (Boston, MA)
URL:	http://www.buacademy.org/
Description:	The mission of Boston University Academy is to educate talented students who are passionate about learning and who share the joy of inquiry. Engaging with dedicated teachers in a small and caring community, students first immerse themselves in a classically based curriculum and then continue their intellectual interests at Boston University, a major research university.
Comments:	Contributed by: Parent on 1/23/2011 We have found Boston University Academy (BUA) to be, by far, the best school for a profoundly gifted kid. The first two years require a certain degree of discipline - the curriculum is largely fixed (there are choices in math and language but not in English/history/science), but the final two years allow considerable freedom. Even highly gifted students will be challenged, and many will find great friends. Counseling, particularly for college, is very good as well. Contributed by: Parent on 8/9/2009 I would not recommend this school for the PG population, but it might be a good fit for a moderately gifted child. While some children prefer an incremental, standard approach to education as offered by this school, most exceptionally and profoundly gifted children require more options and a more flexible approach. Having said that, we believe that the school may be a good match for above-average, very bright and (some) moderately gifted students. Contributed by: Parent on 5/8/2009 For us, and other families having PG kids, BUA is working very well. There has been some turnover recently, but very few core teachers have left. The school is decidedly committed to a classical canon, particularly in the first two years, so there are limited class choices then. Students can choose a language (Latin or Greek at an appropriate level) and are placed in the appropriate level of math, but otherwise, stay together for English, history ,and science (physics and chemistry). Students are certainly challenged, but at the same time, the atmosphere is warm and friendly. Gifted kids who have been lonely find friends here. Contributed by: Parent on 3/29/2009 As a parent and a gifted advocate, I cannot recommend this school for the HG-PG population. In our experience, we feel that our child was not allowed to progress at her ability level, despite what was promised to us before enrollment. One needs to ask pointed, specific questions before enrolling at this school and request everything in writing. Contributed by: Parent on 1/17/2009 Definitely a Math and Science school. Parents of gifted students would still need to briskly advocate at this school. For a student who is far ahead in Math, this might be a good academic match. Contributed by: Parent on 10/29/2008 As a parent of a PG child,I feel it is important for other parents to know about this school. Our child was required to repeat courses in which she already received an "A". There is no flexibility here unless it is in math. WE are paying the price. Contributed by: Parent on 10/12/2008 BUA is an excellent school for the highly gifted. Because it is small, there is limited flexibility in the first two years, however, even then exceptions are made when needed. My child, and several others who are very gifted, are happy and challenged. Contributed by: Parent on 8/11/2008 From my experience, I would not recommend this school for an HG-PG child as others have. There has been significant teacher turnover in the past year or two (2008). Just do your homework before seriosuly consdiering sending your child -- you do not want to be surprised if it does not "deliver as advertised". Talk to other families currently attending. I feel it has changed dramatically over the past two years or so. The focus seems to have shifted. Contributed by: Parent on 8/9/2008 BUA is an excellent school for the MG to PG child. The challenge is there, and those who are ready and make the effort may even start BU classes as freshman. There is a strong emphasis on the classically based curriculum, but I would not characterize it as a 'lockstep' approach. The tuition is somewhat below average for private high schools in the area, and aid is available. Most important is the atmosphere - loving learning is the norm, not the exception, and yet BUA is not a high-pressure school like some in the area. Contributed by: Parent on 7/16/2008 From my experience, this school does not recognize the profoundly giftd student, as other reviewers have commented. If your child is moderately gifted they will be well-served by a lock-step approach school. If your child is a math geek, they will have some great courses from which to select. If your child is globally gifted in all areas, forget about the early college aspect--they'll have to wait until 11th grade just like all of the other "gifted in one area" students. Contributed by: Parent on 7/9/2008 In my experience, B.U. Academy may not be the ideal fit for a PG student. Though the early-to-college option is built in, each student is expected to march along the same curriculum before reaching that point. There does not seem to be a large focus on the student as an "individual" but rather as another piece to a larger group--a smart, academcially advanced, moderately gifted populus. "Outliers" and those who are radically grade-skipped are expected to repeat material for the benefit of the whole. This might mean being bored for the first year or so. HG/EG and PG parents still need to advocate! Aside from this, the teachers are inspiring and do seem to like the real smart students. The college affiliation is in a league of it's own! Contributed by: Parent on 6/5/2008 Boston University Academy is an exceptional school for the profoundly gifted. Not only will your child be challenged at every step, they will be able to matriculate at the neighboring University once they exhaust the BUA curriculum. An absolutley Wonderful and genuine PG source. Only negative comment is that it is too expensive! The tuition went way up so only the very wealthy or the needy (via finacial aid) can go there. This is too bad since it is such a superior opportunity for a PG child. Contributed by: Parent on 2/7/2005 I can't say enough fantastic things about this school. My son is midway through his second year there, and we find the caliber range and depth of the offerings exceeds our already high expectations. On top of which the kids and parent community are all just incredibly nice about it all, devoted to excellence but not at all pretentious about it. We've been absolutely thrilled to be a part of it. Show All CommentsShow Less Comments

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