Boston Latin Academy was established in 1878 as Girls’ Latin School, the first college preparatory high school for girls established in the United States. In 1972, boys were admitted and soon after, the school’s name was changed to Boston Latin Academy (BLA). BLA has a history of academic excellence with an outstanding rate of college placement. BLA is an inner-city public school serving 1,700 economically and culturally diverse students, grades 7 through 12 from Boston’s many neighborhoods. The mission of Boston Latin Academy is to prepare students for higher academic study by challenging them with a rigorous curriculum. BLA's Classical and Liberal Arts education allows students to become successful participants in a diverse and challenging society.