The two athletes appeared at the Boston Arts Academy to surprise and hype up students during the unveiling of the school’s new facilities.

The academy has been celebrating its 25th anniversary and hosted the pair, who spoke with students and gave advice.

“All of you here have a special talent, have a special ability,” said Williams. “Use that gift to spread it to the world and shine a light that you guys have to others.”

“Enjoy, take advantage of it, think about your future, think about (beginning to become) somebody, work hard, because the future is out there waiting for you,” Ortiz said. “God bless.”

Other guests on Thursday included Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Getting its start in 1998, the school’s new, five-story facility on Ipswich Street encompasses 153,500 square feet,

, increasing its capacity by more than 15%.

7 News: David Ortiz, Grant Williams make surprise stop at local school rally in Boston

September 8th marked the first day of school for students at the

, but this was no ordinary start to the school year.

The students are embracing a new year in a brand new, state-of-the-art building on Ipswich Street in the Fenway area.

Boston Arts Academy is the city's only public high school for the visual and performing arts, and every part of this building was designed with the students' needs in mind.

The Head of School, Anne Clark, spoke with Anna Rossi about all the excitement surrounding the new facility, which is a dream come true for so many people.

Watch the entire interview above to learn what makes the new Boston Arts Academy facility so unique and how the new building will support students as they grow academically and artistically.

Anne Clark, Head of BAA Is interviewed on NBC 10

Good evening, Boston Arts Academy families.

This will be our last bulletin of the 2021-2022 school year. I want to begin by thanking all members of our community for their continued investment and support of Boston Arts Academy. We have much to be proud of this year, and much to look forward to ahead.

Monday is our last official day of school.

 We will begin in advisory with breakfast and community building activities (karaoke, Just Dance, and Disney trivia). We then will go to Ronan Park for field day activities, including staff vs. students tug of war. Lunch will be distributed and dismissal will be at noon.

Congratulations to the many students who have 

 that will further their work as artists, scholars, and global citizens. The Boston Arts Academy Foundation has provided over $50,000 in funding for students to attend academic and arts programs this summer. Congratulations to those students who will have exciting experiences at places like Interlochen, Tanglewood, and Stagedoor Manor. We have many more opportunities on our 

BAA’s summer reading and summer math program

 is at our current location, 11 Charles Street from July 5 to Aug 5. Reading: is from 8:30 - 10:30am, and Math is from 10:30 - 12:30pm.

before they return to school in the fall 

A reminder that Boston Arts Academy will be in a new location in the fall: 174 Ipswich Street in the Fenway. 

 for our transition to the new building and the new school year:

We will also be having open houses for family members:

is Thursday, September 8 beginning at 8am.

At graduation this year, I quoted the poet Amanda Gorman: “Change is made of choices, and choices are made of character.” I think we can all agree that this was a challenging year as we returned to school in person from remote and hybrid learning. But our community made some specific choices that revealed the strength of our character. We end this year in a very strong, positive place. I wish you all a restful and fun summer, and I look forward to welcoming you to our new home!

End of Year Bulletin Message

Student Government, Emerging Leaders, Health and Wellness, and Administration have been working on a five-week plan to address students’ concerns about the current school climate in hopes of beginning a healing process that reminds us that This is Who We Are. We are calling this the Great Revival. The plan includes, but is not limited to, Mediation throughout the month, Voices Amplified campaign, an upcoming School Assembly, This is Who We are Week, Special BAA merch, Real Talk with Dr. A every Wednesday, Day of Arts Motivation, and Self Expression, Day of Circles, and a Social Media Campain. All students and adults in our community are welcome and encouraged to join us and participate directly in the healing.

This Is Who We Are Week

Dr. Dance has been honored for developing a mental health literacy and career exposure program for Black teens called the Mental Health ACCESS (advancement of culturally competent education to stop stigma) @mentalhealthaccess;

"The program has been running since 2019–some BAA students helped pilot some of the workshops in the curriculum I developed during my internship! "- Dr. Dance

Dr. Kwame Dance At BAA Receives Annual Black Biz Ball Award!

Congratulations to sophomore Studio Arts and Design & Visual Communication students on participating in BPS’ Young Arts Month exhibition!

 Studio M7’s advanced designers: Manny Reich, Marisol Santamaria, Lauren Atikinson, Eaton Montron Veiga, Francisco Sosa, and Cris Fuentes

 for their digital billboard work that can be seen around Boston including, Fenway Park and Mid-town Boston. The displays will be live until the end of May.

News

7 News: David Ortiz, Grant Williams make surprise stop at local school rally in Boston

Anne Clark, Head of BAA Is interviewed on NBC 10

End of Year Bulletin Message

This Is Who We Are Week

Dr. Kwame Dance At BAA Receives Annual Black Biz Ball Award!

BAA Students Design Billboards Around Boston!

Talent is evenly distributed in society, but not opportunity. Help us change that reality in Boston.

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