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Very Good

#537 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 30% in state

Boston Latin Academy

High School · Boston

205 Townsend Street, Dorchester, MA 02121

Enrollment

1,693

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dorchester

#7 of 29

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#116 of 366

In district

#53 of 109

Boston

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Boston Latin Academy

Boston Latin Academy serves 1,693 students in grades 7-12 as a public high school located in Dorchester's diverse urban community. With 98 full-time teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1, the school provides a structured learning environment for middle and high school students. Academically, Boston Latin Academy demonstrates solid performance with 76% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 61% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

The school earns a 6.9 out of 10 rating and ranks #403 out of 1,796 Massachusetts schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide. This strong academic standing reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence across its grade levels. The school draws students from a working-class neighborhood where the median household income is $42,411 and nearly a quarter of residents live below the poverty line.

Despite economic challenges in the surrounding community, where only 21% of adults hold bachelor's degrees, Boston Latin Academy continues to provide quality education and opportunities for academic achievement. Situated on Townsend Street in Dorchester, Boston Latin Academy operates within one of Boston's most populous and culturally rich neighborhoods, serving families in this vibrant urban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-2.56 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.5 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+47.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation32.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$34,835

Boston Latin Academy — Students at Boston Latin Academy score 68% 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 60.5%
School
State
44.0%
ELA Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
48.5%

Based on 76 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2018
Math
69.7%
ELA
65.7%
2019
Math
78.6%
ELA
74.2%
2021*
Math
62.2%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
57.2%
ELA
73.4%
2023
Math
52.5%
ELA
58.3%
2024
Math
44.5%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
56.8%
ELA
67.5%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Boston Latin Academy Compares

See how Boston Latin Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Location

205 Townsend Street, Dorchester, MA 02121

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Boston Latin Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Greater Egleston High School (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Roxbury), with a very similar rating. Another option is Boston Day and Evening Academy Charter School (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Roxbury), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy (rated 5.8/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Roxbury), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dorchester, see our Dorchester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Bridge Boston Charter School Roxbury 0.1 mi 8.1
Trotter Elementary School Dorchester 0.2 mi 5.3
Higginson-Lewis K-8 School Roxbury 0.3 mi 6.7
Haynes Early Education Center Roxbury 0.3 mi 6.9
Higginson Inclusion K-2 School Roxbury 0.4 mi 6.8
City on a Hill Charter Public School Roxbury 0.6 mi 5.5
Ellis Elementary School Roxbury 0.4 mi 7.3
Winthrop Elementary School Dorchester 0.5 mi 8.2
King Elementary School Dorchester 0.5 mi 6.5
Burke High School Dorchester 0.7 mi 5.0
Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy Roxbury 0.7 mi 5.8
Boston Day and Evening Academy Charter School Roxbury 0.8 mi 7.0
Hale Elementary School Roxbury 0.7 mi 8.2
Frederick Pilot Middle School Dorchester 0.7 mi 6.3
Hernandez K-8 School Roxbury 0.7 mi 7.5
Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School Boston 0.8 mi 5.0
Greater Egleston High School Roxbury 0.8 mi 7.2
UP Academy Holland Dorchester 0.9 mi 4.8
PAIGE ACADEMY Roxbury 1.0 mi
Conservatory Lab Charter School Dorchester 0.8 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02121 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,565

Median Home Value

$548,100

Median Rent

$1,316/mo

Population

28,298

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

23.1%

Avg Commute

34.5 min

Poverty Rate

26.5%

Median Age

34.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Boston Latin Academy has a median household income of $38,565. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $548,100, with a median rent of $1,316/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Chelmsford High North Chelmsford, MA 7.1
King Philip Regional High Wrentham, MA 7.1
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Springfield, MA 7.0
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical South Easton, MA 7.0
Blackstone Valley Upton, MA 7.2
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical Fitchburg, MA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Boston Latin Academy

What grades does Boston Latin Academy serve?

Boston Latin Academy serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Boston Latin Academy?

Boston Latin Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,693 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Boston Latin Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Boston Latin Academy is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Boston Latin Academy rank in MA?

Boston Latin Academy is ranked #537 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Boston Latin Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Boston Latin Academy has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Latin Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Boston Latin Academy has 60.5% math proficiency and 67.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Boston Latin Academy a charter school?

No, Boston Latin Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Boston Latin Academy a Title I school?

No, Boston Latin Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
80 Very Walkable
Transit Score
75 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
1,693
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
98
Type
regular
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
#53 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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