History

~ Present Day Urban Science Academy ~

Beginning in the fall of 2011, the Urban Science Academy (USA) and Parkway Academy of Technology and Health (PATH) will merge into one school to become the Urban Science Academy. Located in the West Roxbury Educational complex, USA will continue to offer the same programs to students.

~ Past History of Urban Science Academy ~

Urban Science Academy

Established in 2005 after the closing of West Roxbury High School, the Urban Science Academy was one of the four smaller learning communities created from the High School Renewal Effort. The Effort reconstituted large, comprehensive Boston schools into smaller, theme-based schools.

USA is a small high school with an engaging science and technology curriculum designed to prepare students to excel in college and beyond. USA expects all students to achieve at the highest levels and to fully participate in our diverse community of learners. The instructional staff is comprised of the most dedicated and dynamic teachers that the region has to offer.

The school’s logo is the atom and the colors are green and white.

Highlighted Opportunities and Accomplishments:
• One of 187 Commendation Schools named by the Massachusetts' Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) for our academic growth and progress in closing achievement gaps.
• 1 of 10 Boston Public high schools selected as a pilot for Access Boston's Financial Aid Early Awareness Program preparing 9th graders for the college application process.
• TERI/Talent Search: A federally funded TRIO program focused on providing low-income, first-generation college bound students with assistance for post secondary education opportunities. These opportunities include SAT Prep classes, field trips to colleges, participation in college fairs, career & college workshops, etc.
• Advanced Placement classes in seven subjects: Biology, Calculus AB, Chemistry, English Language, Spanish, Statistics, and United States History.
• Exciting partnerships with Private Industry Council, WriteBoston, Urban Ecology Institute, Peer Health Exchange, and others
• A 74.6 4 year-graduation rate – higher than any other traditional Boston Public High School
• Annual student leadership community service trip to New Orleans
• 9th & 10th grade co-taught inclusion classes
• Boston Debate League finalists

West Roxbury High School

The history of West Roxbury High School goes back to the year 1842, when the Town of Roxbury (which included Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and West Roxbury) established "Eliot High School," named after Reverend Mr. John Eliot of Roxbury, who in 1689, gave 75 acres of land to the "Town of Roxborough" for the maintenance, support, and encouragement of a school and school master at Jamaica or Pond Plain "in order to prevent the inconveniences of ignorance."

In 1855, the newly independent Town of West Roxbury took control of the high school until the town was annexed to Boston in 1873. During this time, the school became known as "West Roxbury High," a name that appeared on the new building constructed in 1898 at 70 Elm Street in Jamaica Plain. In July of 1923, the school's name was changed to Jamaica Plain High School.

In 1936, students from the Roslindale and West Roxbury sections of the city were transferred to a newly build high school at 110 Poplar Street, Roslindale. This school was named Roslindale High, affectionately called "Rossie" by both students and faculty.

Forty years later Roslindale High was closed and district students were transferred once more to a new facility at 1205 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury. For the first time since 1923 the district high school became known again as West Roxbury High School.

The West Roxbury High School mascot is the Raider and is symbolized by a pirate. The school's official colors are green and white.

Students at West Roxbury are organized into "houses" -- Red, Blue, Gold and Green. Each house is made up of various homerooms, where students report once per day. The school itself is painted different colors inside to represent the four houses. Every academic year in the spring, students have the opportunity to play in the intramural House Games -- where the different houses compete against one another in a tournament of basketball.