John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science
Encyclopedia
The John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, formerly known as Boston Technical High School (sometimes abbreviated as O'B) is a college preparatory public examination school along with Boston Latin School and Boston Latin Academy that specializes in mathematics, science, technology and engineering in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. The school is currently located on 55 Malcolm X Boulevard in the neighborhood of Roxbury, Massachusetts
. With a student body of 1,300 7th–12th graders, this school is part of the Boston Public Schools
.
. The Hilton Hotel is located there today. In 1909 the five-story class room, chemist and physics labs building was completed on Scotia Street adjacent to the older building. Later, the school moved to the building that originally housed Roxbury Memorial High School (1930 to 1960) at 205 Townsend Street in Roxbury, Massachusetts
. That school building is now the home of Boston Latin Academy
. Boston Technical High School remained there until 1987 when it relocated to a new building at 55 New Dudley Street (Now Malcolm X Boulevard.) In 1989, Boston Technical High School and Mario Umana Technical High School merged but still kept the name of Boston Technical High School. In 1992, the school was renamed after Boston's eminent education leader, John D. O'Bryant.
, STEP Inspire, and other area businesses and institutions, the O'Bryant looks to lead science, technology, engineering, and math instruction and programming for the city of Boston.
and the student's recent grades, and is limited to residents of Boston proper. Although the O'Bryant runs from the 7th through the 12th grade, it only admits students into the 7th, 9th & 10th grade. Unlike the other two Boston examination schools, the day is composed of six periods instead of seven and there is no requirement to take a course of Latin. There is a requirement three years of the same language (Mandarin-Chinese, Spanish, and French) for all students who enter at seventh, ninth, and tenth grades. Unlike other public schools there is also a requirement of six years of mathematics, including a requirement to pass pre-calculus.
that prepares low-income and minority students for high-level careers in medicine, science, and engineering run by the Assistant Principle Ms.Bettie Nolan. The gateway program involves extra instructional periods, after-school tutorial, smaller classrooms, more intermediate classes and internships with science-based institution. Applications are open to eight graders and they start it when they enter ninth-grade. The students of the program must take the classes/courses that it offers until they graduate high school. To be accepted to the program, it is quite similar to the original New York's Gateway criteria; Students must complete an essay consisting of three question, have regular attendance, generally have grades above 80 on a 100-point scale (Equivalent to above B-). The term "LMA" is an abbreviation for Longwood Medical Area.It is a very competitive program that takes only the students in which they think are going to be able to handle the pressure.
The school is home to a state-of-the-art solar energy system created by students at the school in June, 2004. The 2 kW photovoltaic (PV) array, installed on the southeastern wall of the school, uses semiconductor technology to convert sunlight into pollution-free electricity. The solar equipment was donated by the MIT Space Systems Laboratory through a grant from NASA. The O'Bryant School also received support on curriculum development from the MIT Edgerton Center. Heliotronics of Hingham, MA provided a Solar Learning Lab, which gives students real-time system data on power production, efficiency, and weather conditions for analysis.
) 10th Grade Mathematics. Over 98% of the students who took the test received "Advanced" or "Proficient" on the 10th grade MCAS exam, taken in the spring of 2006. The O'Bryant also ranked #8 in the entire state for the MCAS in reading & literature. Over 95% of the students who took the test received 'Advanced" or "Proficient" on the 10th grade MCAS exams, taken in the spring of 2006.
To qualify for the scholarship, students had to score in the Advanced category (Level 4) on either the English Language Arts or Math sections of the MCAS exams and in at least Proficient (Level 3) on the other. Also, the students' scores had to rank in the top 25% of the district. In order to maintain the scholarship, students must complete their college program in four years or less and maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
. The O'Bryant offers an abundance of Advanced Placement
classes such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, Statistics, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, U.S. History, European History, U.S. Government & Politics and Spanish. In 2008 they added AP Environmental Science and Microeconomics.
spring sports. With its ties to colleges such as MIT, Harvard University, Microsoft & Northeastern University; the students at the O'Bryant school are offered with many programs that revolves around science, technology, math and engineering.
Haitian Culture Club, African International Club, Volunteering Club, and a junior chapter of the NSBE, Student Council, Talented and Gifted (TAG), National Honor Society, a Debate Team, a Math Team, Invent Team, Environmental Club, Robot Science, and a robotics team, Bio-Medical Health Club, forensics, Greentimes, Drama Club, Art Club,Key Club,Yearbook(middle and high school students)and Anime club.
All students are welcomed to join any club in the school.
BOYS indoor track city champs 5 years running.
GIRLS indoor track city champs 14 years running.
Coach Ortega is the 2008 scholastic coach of the year.
. Mr. O’Bryant served in the United States Army and then became a teacher and guidance councilor from 1955 to 1969, the same year he was selected to be the vice president of Northeastern University. Mr. O’Bryant was the first African American ever to serve as vice president. He kept that position until his sudden death in 1992. Mr. O'Bryant was a tireless advocate for the children of Boston, taking the time to meet with students young and encourage them to set high goals and pursue a college education for a successful life.
Roxbury, Massachusetts
Roxbury is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was one of the first towns founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and became a city in 1846 until annexed to Boston on January 5, 1868...
. With a student body of 1,300 7th–12th graders, this school is part of the Boston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools is a school district serving the city of Boston, Massachusetts, United States.-Leadership:The district is led by a Superintendent, hired by the Boston School Committee, a seven-member school board appointed by the Mayor after approval by a nominating committee of specified...
.
History
Now over one hundred years old, the O'Bryant began as the Mechanic Arts High School in 1893. Until the early 1970s, it was an all-boys school. In 1944, the school became Boston Technical High School. The original building containing the various shops, woodworking, machine shop, forge shop and drafting rooms was built around 1900 and was located on the corner of Dalton and Belvidere Streets in the Back BayBack Bay, Boston, Massachusetts
Back Bay is an officially recognized neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts famous for its rows of Victorian brownstone homes, which are considered one of the best-preserved examples of 19th-century urban design in the United States, as well as numerous architecturally significant individual...
. The Hilton Hotel is located there today. In 1909 the five-story class room, chemist and physics labs building was completed on Scotia Street adjacent to the older building. Later, the school moved to the building that originally housed Roxbury Memorial High School (1930 to 1960) at 205 Townsend Street in Roxbury, Massachusetts
Roxbury, Massachusetts
Roxbury is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was one of the first towns founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and became a city in 1846 until annexed to Boston on January 5, 1868...
. That school building is now the home of Boston Latin Academy
Boston Latin Academy
Boston Latin Academy is a public exam school founded in 1877 in Boston, Massachusetts providing students in grades 7th through 12th a rigorous classical preparatory education....
. Boston Technical High School remained there until 1987 when it relocated to a new building at 55 New Dudley Street (Now Malcolm X Boulevard.) In 1989, Boston Technical High School and Mario Umana Technical High School merged but still kept the name of Boston Technical High School. In 1992, the school was renamed after Boston's eminent education leader, John D. O'Bryant.
Academics
This school is a science and math specialized institution and it is one of the examination schools in the greater Boston Area. It is a relatively new exam school that offers many advanced placement courses in math and science and it's a school with many excellent students. It is the most diverse of the three exam schools and it's one of the hosts of the JROTC club. Through partnerships with MIT, Northeastern University, MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, STEP Inspire, and other area businesses and institutions, the O'Bryant looks to lead science, technology, engineering, and math instruction and programming for the city of Boston.
Requirements
Admission to O'Bryant is determined by a combination of a student's score on the Independent School Entrance ExaminationIndependent School Entrance Examination
The Independent School Entrance Examination, or ISEE, is an entrance exam used by many independent schools and magnet schools in the United States. Developed and administered by the Educational Records Bureau, the ISEE has three levels: the Lower level, for entrance in grades 5-6; Middle level,...
and the student's recent grades, and is limited to residents of Boston proper. Although the O'Bryant runs from the 7th through the 12th grade, it only admits students into the 7th, 9th & 10th grade. Unlike the other two Boston examination schools, the day is composed of six periods instead of seven and there is no requirement to take a course of Latin. There is a requirement three years of the same language (Mandarin-Chinese, Spanish, and French) for all students who enter at seventh, ninth, and tenth grades. Unlike other public schools there is also a requirement of six years of mathematics, including a requirement to pass pre-calculus.
Gateway to the LMA
Gateway to the LMA, is a successful program of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
that prepares low-income and minority students for high-level careers in medicine, science, and engineering run by the Assistant Principle Ms.Bettie Nolan. The gateway program involves extra instructional periods, after-school tutorial, smaller classrooms, more intermediate classes and internships with science-based institution. Applications are open to eight graders and they start it when they enter ninth-grade. The students of the program must take the classes/courses that it offers until they graduate high school. To be accepted to the program, it is quite similar to the original New York's Gateway criteria; Students must complete an essay consisting of three question, have regular attendance, generally have grades above 80 on a 100-point scale (Equivalent to above B-). The term "LMA" is an abbreviation for Longwood Medical Area.It is a very competitive program that takes only the students in which they think are going to be able to handle the pressure.
Solar Panel Project
MCAS
In the year 2006, the O'Bryant ranked #3 in the entire state for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCASMassachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, commonly shortened to MCAS , is the Commonwealth's statewide standards-based assessment program developed in 1993, in response to the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of the same year...
) 10th Grade Mathematics. Over 98% of the students who took the test received "Advanced" or "Proficient" on the 10th grade MCAS exam, taken in the spring of 2006. The O'Bryant also ranked #8 in the entire state for the MCAS in reading & literature. Over 95% of the students who took the test received 'Advanced" or "Proficient" on the 10th grade MCAS exams, taken in the spring of 2006.
College Scholarships
Based on excellent performance on the 2006 MCAS, a total of 899 students in the Boston Public Schools have qualified for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which provides four years of free tuition to any state university or college in Massachusetts.To qualify for the scholarship, students had to score in the Advanced category (Level 4) on either the English Language Arts or Math sections of the MCAS exams and in at least Proficient (Level 3) on the other. Also, the students' scores had to rank in the top 25% of the district. In order to maintain the scholarship, students must complete their college program in four years or less and maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
Advanced Placement
The O'Bryant School was awarded the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement in 2003 by the Siemens FoundationSiemens Foundation
The Siemens Foundation is a non-profit organization run by Siemens AG. It is responsible for the Siemens Westinghouse Competition, a prestigious science award for high school students in the United States, and also is involved in the Siemens AP Scholar Award...
. The O'Bryant offers an abundance of Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
classes such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, Statistics, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, U.S. History, European History, U.S. Government & Politics and Spanish. In 2008 they added AP Environmental Science and Microeconomics.
Extracurricular activities
All students must maintain a 2.67 GPA (B-) or higher in order to partake in any extracurricular activities. The extra curricular activities include fall, winter andspring sports. With its ties to colleges such as MIT, Harvard University, Microsoft & Northeastern University; the students at the O'Bryant school are offered with many programs that revolves around science, technology, math and engineering.
Sports
The mascot for all teams at the O'Bryant is the Tiger. Teams at the O'Bryant include Baseball, Basketball, Cheer leading, Football, Hockey, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball. The School's colors are blue and white.Clubs
There are a full range of clubs and programs that the school offers. Clubs include Chess, Drama, Dance, Step, Asian Culture Club,Haitian Culture Club, African International Club, Volunteering Club, and a junior chapter of the NSBE, Student Council, Talented and Gifted (TAG), National Honor Society, a Debate Team, a Math Team, Invent Team, Environmental Club, Robot Science, and a robotics team, Bio-Medical Health Club, forensics, Greentimes, Drama Club, Art Club,Key Club,Yearbook(middle and high school students)and Anime club.
All students are welcomed to join any club in the school.
BOYS indoor track city champs 5 years running.
GIRLS indoor track city champs 14 years running.
Coach Ortega is the 2008 scholastic coach of the year.
Publications
The School Newspaper, the O'B Edition, is the monthly school news paper, made possible by the journalism classes taken at the school. The newspaper covers community news, student opinion, entertainment news, an advice column and a sport section. The year book team, publishes the year book named The Technician until the year 1992, when Boston Technical High School changed its name to John D. O'Bryant School.John D. O'Bryant
John D. O'Bryant was born in Boston on July 15, 1931. He attended and graduated from the Boston public schools and went on to earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Boston UniversityBoston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. Mr. O’Bryant served in the United States Army and then became a teacher and guidance councilor from 1955 to 1969, the same year he was selected to be the vice president of Northeastern University. Mr. O’Bryant was the first African American ever to serve as vice president. He kept that position until his sudden death in 1992. Mr. O'Bryant was a tireless advocate for the children of Boston, taking the time to meet with students young and encourage them to set high goals and pursue a college education for a successful life.
Notable alumni
*Graduate – Achievement – Graduation Year- Richard J. Egan – Co-Founded EMC Corp. – 1953
- Neal F. Finnegan – President, U.S. Trust Bank – 1955
- Karl Bossi – Author of Just Call Me Moose! Growing Up Italian in America – 1956
- Dan SullivanDan Sullivan (football player)Daniel Joseph Sullivan was a National Football League offensive lineman from 1962 through 1972. During that span he appeared Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V for the Baltimore Colts. He attended Boston Technical High School. He played college football at the Boston College.-External links:*...
– National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
offensive lineman from 1962–1972 for Baltimore ColtsHistory of the Indianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
– 1957 - Arthur J. GajarsaArthur J. GajarsaJudge Arthur Joseph Gajarsa is a Circuit Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit .Judge Arthur Gajarsa was born on 1 March 1941 in Norcia, Italy. He was the top ranked student in the 1958 graduating class at Boston Technical High School...
– Circuit Judge on the United States Court of Appeals – 1958 - Emmanuel Serra – State Representative – 1963
- William Bratton – Former New York City Police Commissioner – 1965
- James O'Leary – Former Chairman, MBTA – 1966
- Charles C. Yancey – City Councilor, Boston – 1966
- Roy Watson, Jr. – Lawyer, Editor & Reporter for Legal Magazine – 1967
- Richard P. DeCoste – Architect and President of Woodbrier Associates – 1968
- Peter D. MacFarlene – President, MacFarlene Oil Co. – 1968
- Hania Niklas - President, Audio Lab, Inc. Cambridge, MA - 1977
- Charlie A. Titus – Director of Athletics, UMASS – 1968
- Nicholas Teebagy – Professor of Mathematics at Bentley CollegeBentley CollegeBentley University is a private co-educational university in Waltham, Massachusetts, west of Boston. Founded in 1917 as a school of accounting and finance in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, Bentley moved to Waltham in 1968...
– 1969 - Robert Gittens – Vice President Public Affairs of Northeastern University; Boston School Committee; Assistant District Attorney – 1970
- Frederick Ahern – Played in National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
1970 - Christopher Rizzo – West Point, Physical Education Professor – 1980
- Pervis Ryan – Head of Drug Enforcement Unit, Boston Police – 1982
- Vanna Lee – Director of Health Unit, WorcesterWorcesterThe City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
– 1987 - Mel King- Educator, activist, and writer- 1946
- Albert Francis HegenbergerAlbert Francis HegenbergerAlbert Francis Hegenberger was a Major General in the United States Air Force and a pioneering aviator who set a flight distance record in 1927.-Biography:He was born on September 30, 1895 in Boston, Massachusetts....
– Aviator, U.S. Army – 1913 (Mechanic Arts) - Paul A. Rodliff, Executive Vice-President, Liberty Mutual Group - 1970
External links
- John D. O'Bryant School Official Website
- The John D. O’Bryant/Boston Technical High School Association
- The John D. O'Bryant School Profile on Great Schools