Best Private Schools in Boston 鈥 2025

February 25, 2025

boston private schools

If you鈥檙e a Massachusetts-based parent searching for the best-fit private schools for your child or teen, you can celebrate the fact that you reside in the American Mecca of not just higher education, but private secondary education as well. No matter the current age of your student, you are likely interested in the college preparation and counseling offered by each prospective school.  Of course, in addition to that particular angle, you will also need to balance your teen鈥檚 academic, emotional, and social needs with financial and logistical considerations. To assist, 国产第一福利影院草草鈥 list of the Best Private Schools in Boston will focus primarily on our area of expertise鈥college admissions. As such, we will highlight the job that each of the schools do at sending their graduates on to the region/nation鈥檚 premier 4-year schools.

Best Private Schools in Boston

Here鈥檚 a quick preview of the best private schools in Boston that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Commonwealth School

2) Groton School

3) Phillips Academy Andover

4) The Roxbury Latin School

5) Buckingham Browne & Nichols School 鈥 Boston

6) Concord Academy

7) Middlesex School

8) Milton Academy

9) Noble and Greenough School

10) St. Mark鈥檚 School

Please note that inclusion on our Best Private Schools in Boston list is a selective and criteria-based process. However, the order in which the schools appear is not representative of any further ranking; the numbering is solely intended to enhance the ease of navigating this resource. All of the schools profiled below have a history of sending graduates to the top colleges in the country. For each of the best private schools in MA, 国产第一福利影院草草 will provide you with:

  • Location
  • Tuition (9-12)
  • Enrollment (9-12)
  • Average Score
  • Average Score
  • Senior Class Size
  • College Admissions Highlights
  • Academic Highlights

Without further ado, let鈥檚 look at the best private schools in Boston.

#1 Best Private Schools in Boston
Commonwealth School – Boston

Commonwealth School – Boston

  • 151 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116

College Admissions Highlights:  Matriculations from the Commonwealth School over the last 5 years include: BC, BU, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Emory, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Kenyon, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northwestern, Pomona, Princeton, Stanford, Tufts, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UChicago, UMass, UMichigan, Penn, USC, Vanderbilt, Vassar, WashingtonU, Wellesley, Williams, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  12 students per class on average.  56% self-identified students of color.  83% of the faculty hold advance degrees.  77% of AP test-takers scored a 4 or 5.  Among the class of 2023, 22 of the 42 students recognized in the National Merit Scholarship program + 1 winner.  Commonwealth supports varsity, recreational and independent sports.

    • Tuition (9-12): $57,625
    • Enrollment (seniors): 37
    • Average SAT Score: 1450
    • Average ACT Score: 31


#2 Best Private Schools in Boston
Groton School – Boston

Groton School – Boston

  • 282 Farmers Row, Groton, MA 01450

College Admissions Highlights:  Colleges where five or more Groton students have matriculated over the last four years: UChicago, Georgetown, Yale, Harvard, BC, Stanford, Penn, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Tufts, Colby, Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Northwestern, University of St Andrews, Colgate, Cornell, Middlebury, NYU, Babson, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Hamilton, and Washington U.

Academic Highlights:  85% are boarding students.  28 states & 23 countries represented. 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio with an average class size of 11.  51% students of color.  76% of faculty possess advanced degrees.  93% of students score a 3 or higher on AP tests.  32 Art courses with 25 student recitals.  22 athletic teams with varsity, JV or 3rds.  Over 40 clubs and organizations.

    • Tuition (9-12): $60,895 (Boarding), $47,420 (Day)
    • Enrollment (9-12): 380
    • Average SAT Score: 1490
    • Average ACT Score: 33.5


#3 Best Private Schools in Boston
Phillips Academy Andover – Boston

Phillips Academy Andover – Boston

  • 7 Chapel Ave, Andover, MA 01810

College Admissions Highlights:  Over the past three years, students from Andover have matriculated into the following colleges: Babson, Bates, BC, BU, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Colby, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Northwestern, Princeton, SMU, Stanford, Tufts, UC Berkeley, UCLA, U Chicago, UMass, U Miami, U Michigan, UNC Chapel Hill, Penn, UT Austin, UVA, Villanova, Washington U, Wellesley, Wesleyan, William & Mary, Williams, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  There are 73% boarding students.  43 states and 46 countries are represented.  61% are students of color. 13 students in the average class. 70+ interscholastic teams in 23 different sports. 150 electives including 8 world languages.  25,000+ objects in Addison Gallery of American Art. 125+ student-run clubs and organizations.

    • Tuition (9-12): $73,780 (Boarding); $57,190 (Day)
    • Enrollment (seniors): 308
    • Average SAT Score: 1460 (most recent available)
    • Average ACT Score: 31 (most recent available)


#4 Best Private Schools in Boston
The Roxbury Latin School – Boston

The Roxbury Latin School – Boston

  • 101 St Theresa Ave, West Roxbury, MA 02132

College Admissions Highlights:  Over the last five years, Roxbury Latin graduates went on to enroll in the following institutions: Baylor, BC, Brandeis, Brown, Case Western, Colby, William & Mary, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Davidson, Georgetown, Harvard, Howard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, RPI, SMU, Tufts, UCLA, U Chicago, U Mass, Notre Dame, Penn, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Washington U, Wesleyan, Wheaton, Williams, WPI, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  Roxbury Latin is a school for boys founded in 1645.  Average class size is 12 with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio.  37% identify as boys of color. 82% of the faculty have advanced degrees. 32 athletic teams in 10 sports. 3 student publications. 15+ student activities and musical groups

    • Tuition (9-12): $40,600
    • Enrollment (seniors): 52
    • Mid-50% SAT Score: 1360-1540
    • Average ACT Score: Not Reported


#5 Best Private Schools in Boston
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School – Boston

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School – Boston

  • 80 Gerrys Landing Rd, Cambridge, MA 02138

College Admissions Highlights:  Over the last 3 years, the following colleges enrolled 10 or more grads: Colby, Dartmouth, Harvard, Northeastern, Northwestern, Tufts, and WashingtonU. The following matriculated 5 or more: American, Barnard, Bentley, BC, Brown, Cornell, Duke, Emory, George Washington, Georgetown, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Princeton, Rice, UChicago, UMass, Penn, Villanova, Wake Forest, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  75 upper school teachers have master鈥檚 degrees and 12 possess doctorates.  The school works on a trimester calendar.  From 2012-2023, they produced 25 National Merit Semifinalists, 21 Finalists, and 6 Scholars.  90% of AP exam students scored 3 or higher.  75 interscholastic programs across 25 different sports.

    • Tuition (9-12): $63,700
    • Enrollment (seniors): 138
    • Average SAT Score: 1373
    • Average ACT Score: 30


#6 Best Private Schools in Boston
Concord Academy – Boston

Concord Academy – Boston

  • 166 Main St, Concord, MA 01742

College Admissions Highlights:  Over the last five years, the greatest number of students have entered the following colleges: BC, BU, Bowdoin, Brown, Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Kenyon, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Northwestern, Pomona, Princeton, Skidmore, Stanford, Tufts, UChicago, Mass, USC, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Wake Forest, WashingtonU, Wesleyan, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  6:1 Student to teacher ratio. 40% of student board. 40% US students of color.  11% international students. The average class size is 12 students.  6:1 student-to-teacher ratio.  Over 200 courses are offered.  60% day students, 40% boarding.  90+ clubs & organizations. 15 sports with 30 interscholastic teams.

    • Tuition (9-12): $78,610 (Boarding); $62,960 (Day)
    • Enrollment (9-12): 415
    • Average SAT Score: 1495
    • Average ACT Score: 34


#7 Best Private Schools in Boston
Middlesex School – Boston

Middlesex School – Boston

  • 1400 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA 01742

College Admissions Highlights:  A five year sample of matriculation from Middlesex include following schools: American, BC, Bowdoin, Brown, Bucknell, Colby, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth, Denison, Dickinson, Hamilton, Middlebury, Georgetown, George Washington, Lafayette, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Tufts, UChicago, UMichigan, Notre Dame, Penn, USC, UVA, Wake Forest, Wesleyan, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  77% teachers possess advanced degrees.  The average class size is 12 with a student to faculty ratio 4:1. Boarding students make up 70% of the student body.  Classes are conducted six days per week. Students come from 30 states and 22 countries.  Over 23 AP & advanced courses. Average of 3.9 score across 730 AP tests. 28 different sports offered. 44 arts courses offered.

    • Tuition (10-12): $75,475 (Boarding); $61,270 (Day)
    • Enrollment (seniors): 98
    • Average SAT Score: 1470
    • Average ACT Score: 32


#8 Best Private Schools in Boston
Milton Academy – Boston

Milton Academy – Boston

  • 170 Centre St, Milton, MA 02186

College Admissions Highlights:  A recent three year matriculation sample, Milton graduates continued at these schools: BC, BU, Brown, Dartmouth, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, George Washington, Hamilton, Harvard, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Northwestern, Princeton, RIT, Stanford, Tufts, UChicago, U Mass, U Michigan, UNC Chapel Hill, Penn, UVA, Villanova, Washington U, Wesleyan, William & Mary, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  Half of upper school are boarding students. 52% identify as students of color.  The average class size is 14 students.  5:1 student-to-teacher ratio.  10 Major theatre productions. Over 40 student organizations. 13 singing and cappella groups. 30 interscholastic teams and 7 intramural athletics.  20 social events per month.   

    • Tuition (9-12): $75,980 (Boarding); $65,980 (Day)
    • Enrollment (seniors): 186
    • Average SAT Score: 1295-1490 (most recent available)
    • Average ACT Score: 29-33 (most recent available)


#9 Best Private Schools in Boston
Noble and Greenough School – Boston

Noble and Greenough School – Boston

  • 10 Campus Dr, Dedham, MA 02026

College Admissions Highlights:  Graduates over the last five years have matriculated into the following universities: Babson, BC, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, Hamilton, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Kenyon, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Princeton, Providence, Skidmore, Stanford, Tufts, U Chicago, U Mass, U Michigan, Penn, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Wake Forest, Washington U, Wesleyan, William & Mary, Williams, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  The school has a 16% acceptance rate. 48 boarding students live on campus 5 days a week. 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio with average class size 12.  49% identify as students of color.  16 AP courses offered. 92% earned 3 or better on their AP exams.  50+ student clubs.  5 Theatre productions each year.  Over 40 athletic teams.

    • Tuition (9-12): $68,600 (5-Day Boarding); $62,600 (Day)
    • Enrollment (seniors): 135
    • Average SAT Score: 1450
    • Average ACT Score: 32


#10 Best Private Schools in Boston
St. Mark鈥檚 School – Boston

St. Mark鈥檚 School – Boston

  • 25 Marlboro Rd, Southborough, MA 01772

College Admissions Highlights:  In the last three years, students from St. Mark’s School have attended the following schools: BC, Brown, Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, Ga Tech, Hamilton, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Princeton, Stanford, Tufts, UC Berkeley, U Chicago, UMass, Michigan, UNC Chapel Hill, UT Austin, UVA, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Wake Forest, Washington U, Wesleyan, William & Mary, and Yale.

Academic Highlights:  74% of students board.  23% international students. 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio.  The average class size is 11.  Students can earn a Classics Diploma or Global Diploma which give an opportunity to travel.  50 athletic teams with over 100 multisport athletes.  20% of the student body participates in theater productions.

    • Tuition (9-12): $76,100 (Boarding); $60,500 (Day)
    • Enrollment (seniors): 102
    • Average SAT Score: Not Reported
    • Average ACT Score: Not Reported


Best Colleges in Boston – Additional Resources

We hope you found our blog on private schools in Boston (and the surrounding area) to be helpful. All high school students and families may wish to explore further information regarding the college search and admissions process at our Dataverse, Blog, and .