Boston Latin School - Definition and Overview

Boston Latin School, is one of the high schools in the Boston, Massachusetts public school system. Founded on April 23, 1635 by the Town of Boston, it is known as the oldest public school in the United States. It is regularly regarded as the top high school in the state. Its sports teams are each known as the Wolfpack, and its official colors are purple and white.

Though the first graduating classes were in the single digits, the school currently is the largest high school serving the City of Boston, with more than 2400 students in grades 7-12.

Although it is a public school, it is also known as an examination school that, along with Boston Latin Academy and John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science in Boston, admits students based on the results of an entrance test and grade point average. New students are admitted at the 7th and 9th grade level. Several thousand students take entrance exams each year, and roughly 450 are admitted to the 7th grade and 90 to the 9th.

Famous graduates include Samuel Adams, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Hancock and Leonard Bernstein. Famous dropouts include Benjamin Franklin, who ran away to New York City before completing his term.

External link

• Boston Latin School official website (http://bls.org/)