Roxbury Latin School is one of the oldest and most respected private boy's schools in the country. The school serves boys from grades 7 through 12. It is known for its strong academics and a 100% college acceptance rate. The school offers admission without concern for a family’s ability to pay, and it celebrates its diversity and the fact that its students reflect all of Boston's citizens. The school is selective when it comes to academics and has an acceptance rate of 15%.
History
The Roxbury Latin School is one of the oldest schools in the country. In fact, it was founded in 1645 and was modeled after the English grammar school of that time. The school was dedicated to giving instruction in the classics, and younger boys studied preparatory subjects, while older students moved on to Latin grammar, a prerequisite for entrance to Harvard at that time.
Academics
Initially, the younger students acquire basic skills in the major subjects such as mathematics, science, computer science, history, English, languages, and art. In the later years, the academic program becomes increasingly flexible, including many elective subjects that the boys can choose from. During the high school years, science study is an important part of the school’s curriculum. This includes physics, chemistry, environmental science, math-science, and engineering, with many choices of AP and honors classes offered. The school also provides students with independent study both on- and off-campus.
Technology
The school puts great emphasis on providing modern technological resources, training, and support to facilitate student learning. It provides a unique technology lab space as part of STEM education, and special times are set aside for students to explore the potential of the lab and their own creative potential.
Arts and Music
Four classrooms on campus are dedicated to many styles of visual arts. One of the school’s primary goals is to give students a broad understanding and appreciation of art and its history.
At the center of the drama department are three faculty-directed productions each year: the junior play, the senior play, and the spring musical. The performances are staged in their own state-of-the art 300-seat theater.
Music is incorporated into the school’s life in many ways, including a Glee Club, an A Capella group, a jazz band, and a chamber ensemble.
The Hall Program
The school regularly invites distinctive guest speakers to share their experiences with the students. The speakers are chosen from a broad range of accomplished leaders, thinkers, researchers, artists, and public servants. Examples include John Brennan, former director of the CIA. Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts, and Gina McCarthy, former Administrator of the EPA.
Extracurricular Activities
The school sponsors a broad set of extracurricular activities, either after school or on weekends. Options include chess, debate, classics, drama, eco-sustainability, Habitat for Humanity, Model United Nations, musical groups, robotics, community service, and travel.
Sports
The school promotes sports as part of their overall philosophy, focusing on the pursuit of excellence and the development of loyalty and sportsmanship. The school is less concerned with being a pre-professional stepping stone but more with the overall development and enjoyment of the students. Both varsity and non-varsity teams are important at the school. The school offers baseball, lacrosse, tennis, track and field, football, soccer, basketball, hockey, and wrestling on varsity and non-varsity tracks.