Middle school is more than a bridge between childhood and the teenage years. The Arrupe Division at BC High is a private middle school in Boston that gives boys the foundation they need to succeed in high school. During these critical years, boys face the physical, emotional, and academic changes that come with adolescence. At Arrupe, we nurture each student’s intellectual, spiritual, and social development with small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and hands-on learning opportunities.
The Crucial Transitions of 7th and 8th Grade for Boys
The middle school years are a time of remarkable transformation. As boys move through grades seven and eight, they begin to experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes. At this age, boys begin to develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. A boys’ middle school grounds students in an environment that encourages them to take healthy risks, build strong academic habits, and show respect for themselves and others..
The Arrupe Division is our all-boys, Jesuit, Catholic division that offers a unique departure from public school programming. Our academic environment is designed specifically for young males to best support their learning and growth. Our unique academic approach activates learning through experiments, group work, debates, role-playing, creative writing, and open discussions that help students connect ideas to the broader world. Our advisory groups give students support from an advisor and close-knit peer community to help students develop strategies for managing their coursework and navigate the changes they’re experiencing.
A Transformative Journey: How the Arrupe Division is Different
Our unique approach to educating middle school boys provides our students with the combination of structure, independence, and support they need to thrive.
- Team Teaching Methods
Each Arrupe student is placed on a team with teachers in English, Science, and Social Studies. The teaching teams work together to design and implement their curriculum, exposing students to interdisciplinary connections and deeper exploration. - Small Class Sizes and Personalized Attention
With an average class size of 20, Arrupe students are given the individualized attention they need to grow and develop their skills. Daily advisory group meetings ensure a teacher is checking in with each student every day to help them stay on track with their academic assignments. - Encouraging Enrichment and Independence at a Young Age
Several times a week, our students have a Flex Block after lunch. Students use this time for academic support, homework, enrichment, or spiritual development. Importantly, students get to decide how they will use this time, encouraging them to independently pursue interests and goals. - Introduction and Exploration of Ignatian Values
Our Arrupe Division students learn and explore the Ignatian values — service, justice, compassion, and the search for excellence — that shape the BC High experience. Students exposed to these ideals learn to incorporate them into all aspects of their lives as they grow, learn, and develop into young men. - Arrupe Advisory Program
Our unique advisory program gives students consistent guidance from one of our teachers. Advisory groups meet every day in homeroom, and for longer meetings twice a month. Students meet with their advisor one-on-one to develop a personalized program to achieve their educational, organizational, and socio-emotional goals. - Global Language Options
Middle school is the ideal time for students to begin, or deepen, their study of world languages. At this age, boys’ brains are especially receptive to learning new sounds, vocabulary, and grammatical structures. To capitalize on this unique learning window, we offer students the opportunity to learn languages from around the world. In Arrupe, students can choose to study French, Spanish, Latin, or Chinese.
How to Know if a Private Middle School is the Right Path for Your Son
A private school education can serve many different kinds of students, and there are many reasons why parents choose BC High for their middle schooler. BC High’s Arrupe Division could be a good fit for your son if:
- He’s not being challenged in his current school
- He would benefit from more individualized attention
- He thrives with hands-on, one-on-one academic support
- He wants to develop his interests through diverse co-curricular opportunities
Explore BC High’s Arrupe Division For Yourself
BC High is Boston’s leading Jesuit, Catholic middle school for boys. Our unique structured academic program and specialized advisory groups prepare students with the skills, confidence, and values they need to excel in high school, college, and beyond. To learn more about our Arrupe Division, we invite you to explore our “Eagle for a Day” program, which allows prospective students to shadow current Arrupe Division enrollees. To learn more about the Arrupe Division or “Eagle for a Day,” please reach out to our enrollment team.
