This public high school serves grades 9 through 12, and requires students complete four years of the same foreign language. It's one of the largest inner-city high schools in the country to offer two Asian languages - Mandarin and Japanese - as well as French and Spanish. Students regularly take part in overeseas study programs, and faculty members include a Chinese exchange teacher.

Snowden was designated an International Baccalaureate world school in July 2010, at the time joining one other Boston school (Josiah Quincy Upper School in Chinatown) and 13 state-wide schools with the distinction. World-wide there are 3,001 schools in 139 countries, and the non-profit organization is recognized for high standards and leadership qualities.

Snowden also offers a wide range of sports, club and extracurricular activities. It was formerly known as Copley High School, and became Snowden International School in 1986.

Well-known graduates include two members of the popular 90's band New Kids on the Block. Daniel Wood graduated in 1987, and Donnie Wahlberg in 1989. Actor Mark Wahlberg, Donnie's brother, attended the school but transferred his senior year.