Beyond the Classroom

Learning at BC High doesn't stop when the bell rings.
Beyond the classroom, students engage in a wide range of educational opportunities that expand learning and spark discovery. Through robust educational opportunities uniquely available to BC High students only, students explore programs that cultivate leadership, service, creativity, and global engagement. Each experience is intentionally designed to build upon academic learning, empowering students to pursue new interests, deepen their passions, and grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually on campus and beyond.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘To leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.’
That’s what I hope to do — bring communities together and leave them better than I found them.”
Edmond D. Villani '64 Institute for Civil Discourse
Made possible by the generosity of Edmond D. Villani ’64, the Villani Institute for Civil Discourse invites students into meaningful conversations about the issues shaping our world. Through respectful dialogue and critical inquiry, students learn to navigate complex political, cultural, and social challenges with confidence and purpose.
Dual Enrollment Program with Boston College
Through BC High’s dual enrollment program, eligible juniors and seniors can challenge themselves with real Boston College coursework—earning college-level experience before graduation.
Marianne Emerton Fitzpatrick Award to Benefit Emerging Leadership
At BC High, students don’t just learn about leadership, they live it. Inspired by the legacy of Marianne Emerton Fitzpatrick, the Fitzpatrick Award to Benefit Emerging Leadership challenges juniors to turn empathy into action through bold, student-driven service projects. Backed by the generosity of the Fitzpatrick family, the award empowers students to identify real community needs, take initiative, and create meaningful change where it matters most.
Begley Scholars Program
The Begley Scholars Program at BC High is a selective, prestigious opportunity that places students at the center of discovery through faculty-mentored, independent research. Supported by the Begley Scholarship, the program empowers students to pursue in-depth projects on issues of personal and community significance, extending learning beyond the standard curriculum. Through mentorship and meaningful inquiry, Begley Scholars turn curiosity into action, produce research with real-world impact, and grow as leaders grounded in the Jesuit tradition of being men for and with others.

Centers of Human Excellence
At the Centers of Human Excellence, students don’t just learn, they explore, create, and lead. Here, curiosity meets action: students tackle big questions, dive into real-world experiences, and develop the skills and perspective to make a meaningful impact. From leadership and service to innovation and global awareness, these centers empower students to grow intellectually, socially, and personally while discovering their passions.
