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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-23.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+21.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$34,835

Boston Arts Academy — Students at Boston Arts Academy score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
52.0%
ELA Proficiency 51.7%
School
State
59.6%

Based on 22 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37.5%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22.5%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
21.5%
ELA
62%
2023
Math
33%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
24%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
38%
ELA
62%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
76th percentile in MA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
96 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
94 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
93 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (2,653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Boston). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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