So You Wanna Know About Boston Latin School: A Totally Serious (Not Really) Guide
Ah, Boston Latin School (BLS for those in the know). We get it, you've heard whispers of a school steeped in history, possibly haunted by the ghosts of studious teenagers past. Well, you've come to the right place, my friend. Buckle up for a whirlwind tour that's more fun than a textbook (because, let's be real, textbooks are not fun).
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| What is Boston Latin School |
Founded in, Like, Forever Ago: A History Lesson (Cliff Notes Version)
BLS is older than your grandpa's grandpa's rocking chair. Founded in 1635, it's the oldest existing public school in the United States. That's right, kids were conjugating Latin verbs while William Shakespeare was still writing plays (though probably not about teenagers stressing over college applications).
Fun Fact: Back then, the school was for boys only. Girls, apparently, weren't into the whole "learning Latin" thing (they were probably way cooler anyway). Thankfully, BLS became co-educational in 1972.
QuickTip: Absorb ideas one at a time.
Brain Cells Required: Academics at BLS
Let's be honest, BLS isn't exactly known for being a nap-fest. It's a challenging academic environment, and students are expected to, you know, actually learn stuff. They offer a mix of regular and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, so you can delve deep into whatever your curious little mind desires, whether it's dissecting frogs in biology or analyzing the metaphors in Shakespeare (because apparently Shakespeare is still relevant... somehow).
Bonus points for coolness: You'll also be required to take Latin. Yes, Latin. Don't worry, it's not all about memorizing conjugations (although there will be some of that). Learning Latin actually helps you understand the roots of English words, which can be pretty darn useful.
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
More Than Just Textbooks: The BLS Experience
BLS isn't all about hitting the books (though they do encourage that). There's a ton of extracurricular activities to keep you busy, from robotics club to theater productions (because who doesn't love a good dose of drama, both on and off the stage?). Plus, you'll get to forge friendships with a diverse group of classmates all gung-ho about learning and, maybe, slightly competitive about grades (but hey, a little competition never hurt anyone, right?).
#BLSLife: Pro Tip Be prepared to hear the motto, "Sumus Primi" (which means "We are First" in Latin) thrown around a lot. It's basically the school's way of saying, "We're the best, and we know it." (Just don't tell the other Boston Public Schools we said that).
Tip: Read at your natural pace.
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So, You Wanna Get In? How to BLS (Sort Of)
How to Apply: Getting into BLS is a whole thing. There's a competitive entrance exam you gotta ace, and your grades better be stellar. Basically, you need to be a bit of a brainiac.
How to Prepare: Cramming the night before probably won't cut it. Start studying early, brush up on those math skills, and maybe even dust off your Latin dictionary (because, you know, Latin).
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
How to Deal With Rejection: Hey, BLS is tough. If you don't get in, don't despair! There are plenty of other fantastic schools out there. Just channel your inner Rocky Balboa, train hard (study more!), and try again next year.
How Much Does it Cost? Believe it or not, BLS is a public school, so it's free to attend (although there might be some minor fees for things like textbooks and extracurricular activities).
How Haunted is it Really? Look, we can't confirm or deny any ghost stories. But hey, a little spookiness never hurt anyone, right? Maybe you'll even be the one to see the ghost of a student from the 1700s stressing over their Latin final.
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