Parent FAQ
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Checked against Boston Latin's published admissions pages on November 5, 2026.
Before you enroll
Questions from parents.
Who can apply to Boston Latin School?
Boston residents who are in grade 6, 8 or 9 in September 2026 are eligible to apply for September 2027 entry (grade 7 or grade 9 at Boston Latin School). Both the parent and the student must live in the City of Boston. A student needs a GPA of B or higher.
Which grades does Boston Latin admit?
New students enter in grade 7 or grade 9.
Is there an entrance exam?
Admission is based on MAP Growth test scores and GPA. Invitations also consider socioeconomic tier and ranked preferences, within available seats. Each student receives a composite score based 30% on MAP Growth and 70% on GPA. A student needs a valid MAP Growth score, and must finish both sections of the test to receive a score.
How does the tier system work?
BPS ranks every Boston census tract on five socioeconomic factors (poverty, owner-occupancy, single-parent families, non-English-speaking households and educational attainment) and groups tracts into 4 tiers of roughly equal numbers of children in grades 5 to 8. Invitations at each school go 20% to the highest-ranking students citywide and 80% to the highest-ranking students in each of the 4 socioeconomic tiers. Students compete for seats only against students in their own tier. The tier with the lowest socioeconomic score is invited first in each round.
My child is in a private school. How do we apply?
Families whose child is not currently in a BPS school (private, parochial, METCO, out-of-city, homeschool or Commonwealth charter) complete the Exam School Residency Verification form in the BPS application portal between October 13 and December 4, 2026. Students who are not in BPS rank their choices during the fall 2026 residency verification period. Changes are allowed through the end of January 2027.
Can my student apply to more than one exam school?
A student must rank at least one exam school. BPS encourages applying to all three. A student receives an invitation to only one exam school.
When do families hear back?
Decision letters arrive in late April 2027 through the Avela portal and show invited, not invited or waitlist status.
Can we appeal a decision?
Exam school decisions are final and BPS does not accept appeals.
Is BostonLatinPrep affiliated with Boston Latin?
No. BostonLatinPrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Boston Latin School. Check every requirement and date on the school's own website before you apply.
How current is the admissions information on this site?
The admissions facts on this site were last checked against the school's published pages on November 5, 2026. Schools can change requirements and dates at any time.