The Academy is a pilot school and a member of the Boston Pilot Schools Network, a group of 11 Boston Public Schools that, by union contract, have been granted increased autonomy and flexibility to be laboratories of education innovation. This includes the right to extend the school day and year for both faculty and students. Teachers at the Academy undertake a number of special responsibilities. The Academy offers academic classes as well as classes in visual and performing arts. Often classes integrate artistic and academic subjects.
Faculty members work together to develop curriculum in all areas.
The school day for students and teachers has been provisionally scheduled to run from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and for teachers the school day will extend, at least once a week, until 5 p.m. The school year for students will be similar to Boston Public Schools, but the actual school calendar may differ in terms of professional days for teachers and other aspects. In future years, the Academy's school year may also be longer than the BPS school year. All students will be members of an Advisory Group, and most faculty will serve as Advisors. Advisors also teach a writing course to advisees.