Gracie Barra Boston is at 971 Commonwealth Avenue, on the Allston stretch of Comm Ave near Boston University. The academy says it has been running for more than a decade.

The head instructor is Alexandre Costa, who started jiu-jitsu in Brazil at age six and has about four decades on the mat. The academy describes him as a five-time world champion. It also says he has coached Joe Mazzulla, head coach of the Boston Celtics. Other coaches are certified Gracie Barra instructors whom the site does not name.

Classes follow Gracie Barra's tiered curriculum:

• Fundamentals: an all-levels program for beginners.
• Advanced: more technical classes with live sparring.
• Black belt: the expert-level program, which includes competition drilling.
• Women's classes: a separate program for women.
• Kids and teens: classes with an anti-bullying and self-defense focus.

The site does not list a separate no-gi program.

The academy publishes its weekly timetable as an image on its site rather than as text. Classes run in the morning, at noon and in the evening, and there is a Saturday class.

Visiting and first class

• Free trial: the first class is free and is booked through the academy site.
• Drop-ins: we could not find a published drop-in price. Gracie Barra says students of its schools can train at any official location, so contact the academy before you visit.
• Other Gracie Barra schools nearby: the network has suburban schools around Greater Boston, including Newton, Stoneham and the South Shore.

Details above were checked on the academy site in October 2026. Confirm the current schedule with the school before you go.