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GreatSchools Rating

Urban Science Academy

Public | 9-12 & ungraded | 301 students
Community Rating

4 stars

Teacher quality

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2 reviews of this school

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Posted March 16, 2008
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As a current senior of Urban Science Academy, I can honestly state that I find USA to be a fine institution. Just like any other school, it has its flaws which include the horrible lunch that is offered to students on a daily basis, however, generally it is a great school. Some of its qualities encompass the challenging science and AP courses and the recycling program.
—Submitted by a student

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Posted October 11, 2006
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My daughter has attended suburban schools all of her and has always hated it. She now attends USA and she Loves it. My daughter doesn't have to go to a Urban City High School she choises too. My daughter has had her share of new kid on the block troubles but she made a decision to work through it. The principal and teachers really does care and places a higher standard on these young adults. My daughter has always been smart but always felt why should she try the teachers don't care but since she been with USA she as taken off in ways that a mother could only dream of. She feels challenged to do great things in life then whats around her. She said that she was going to join the arm forces when she finished high school but has since decided to go to college.
—Submitted by a parent

Write your own review

Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 84% in 2011.

59 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
60%

2008

 
 
47%
Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.

57 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
49%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
49%

2008

 
 
37%
Science

The state average for Science was 67% in 2011.

48 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
23%

2010

 
 
37%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests

In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students73%
Female73%
Male73%
African American73%
Asiann/a
Hispanic88%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged77%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities42%
English language learners70%

Math

All Students49%
Female44%
Male53%
African American41%
Asiann/a
Hispanic64%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged51%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities17%
English language learners40%

Science

All Students23%
Female5%
Male37%
African American12%
Asiann/a
Hispanic36%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged21%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities0%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests

In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Biology

The state average for Biology was 71% in 2011.

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Chemistry

The state average for Chemistry was 55% in 2011.

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
0%
Introductory Physics

The state average for Introductory Physics was 61% in 2011.

61 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
33%

2010

 
 
25%

2009

 
 
43%

2008

 
 
19%
Tech/Engineering

The state average for Tech/Engineering was 53% in 2011.

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests

In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering. The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Biology

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Chemistry

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Introductory Physics

All Students33%
Female29%
Male38%
African American19%
Asiann/a
Hispanic48%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged32%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Tech/Engineering

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests

In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering. The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 48% 8%
Hispanic 38% 14%
White 11% 70%
Asian 2% 5%
Two or more races 1% 2%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 73%N/A31%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

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1205 V.F.W. Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132
Phone: (617) 635-8930

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