Very Good
#431 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 24% in state
Boston Arts Academy
High School · Boston
174 Ipswich Street, Boston, MA 02215
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher
9.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher
9.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Boston
#7 of 15
public schools
Massachusetts high schools
#91 of 366
In district
#44 of 109
Boston
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Boston Arts Academy
Boston Arts Academy serves 473 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative high school on Ipswich Street in Boston's Suffolk County. With 51 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many traditional high schools. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #308 out of 1,796 Massachusetts high schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.
Academic performance shows areas for continued growth, with 49% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 27% reaching proficiency in mathematics. As an alternative school, Boston Arts Academy likely serves students who benefit from non-traditional educational approaches and smaller class environments. The school operates in the diverse 02215 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $64,138 and home values average $698,200.
This neighborhood reflects Boston's educational character, with 84% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though the 31.4% poverty rate indicates significant economic diversity among the 24,522 residents. Boston Arts Academy provides its specialized programming within the dynamic environment of Massachusetts' largest city, offering students access to the cultural and educational resources that make Boston a distinctive place to learn.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Boston Arts Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Boston Arts Academy — Students at Boston Arts Academy score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 22 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Boston Arts Academy Compares
See how Boston Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
174 Ipswich Street, Boston, MA 02215
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Boston Arts Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE NEWMAN SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, THE NEWMAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Boston, see our Boston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Latin School Boston | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Carter School Dorchester | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| WINSOR SCHOOL Boston | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Tobin K-8 School Roxbury | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Roxbury | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| MALIK ACADEMY Roxbury Crossing | 1.1 mi | — |
| BEACON ACADEMY INC Boston | 0.8 mi | — |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY ACADEMY Boston | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| O'Bryant School of Math & Science Roxbury | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Fenway High School Roxbury | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| NEW ENGLAND HEBREW ACADEMY Brookline | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (Horace Mann Boston | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| PAIGE ACADEMY Roxbury | 1.2 mi | — |
| Snowden International High School Boston | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL Boston | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| IVY STREET SCHOOL Brookline | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,827
Median Home Value
$683,800
Median Rent
$2,385/mo
Population
24,054
College Educated
84.6%
Homeownership
8.5%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
28.1%
Median Age
21.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Boston Arts Academy has a median household income of $65,827. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $683,800, with a median rent of $2,385/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CATS ACADEMY Braintree, MA | 7.4 |
| Monument Mt Regional High Great Barrington, MA | 7.4 |
| Nantucket High Nantucket, MA | 7.4 |
| LAWRENCE ACADEMY Groton, MA | 7.5 |
| Bourne High School Bourne, MA | 7.3 |
| Mt Greylock Regional High Williamstown, MA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Boston Arts Academy
What grades does Boston Arts Academy serve?
Boston Arts Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Boston Arts Academy?
Boston Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 473 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Boston Arts Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Boston Arts Academy is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Boston Arts Academy rank in MA?
Boston Arts Academy is ranked #431 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Boston Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Boston Arts Academy has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Boston Arts Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Boston Arts Academy has 28.7% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Boston Arts Academy a charter school?
No, Boston Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Boston Arts Academy a Title I school?
No, Boston Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 473
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Suffolk County
- Phone
- (617) 635-6470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Boston- District Enrollment
- 45,742
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,200
- District Rank
- #44 of 109
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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