Best private days schools in Greater Boston area

Prep School Admissions
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<p>This topic was created awhile back, but for those who were trying to research private schools I wanted to reply. As a highschool student who has attended BB&N since 6th grade, I’d have to say it is well-rounded. Sports are mandatory, outside of school or inside, and it is very competitive. I’m not a student that is apart of some of the arts programs but their chamber (classical music orchestra) and Jazz (which I am apart of) is truly one of my favorite things about BBN. They also provide an acapella group that my sister was apart of. And their musicals, and drama productions have always been enjoyable.
I know I may be very biased, but I love that school. And the community is well diverse and welcoming. This school is liberal (being a conservative myself though) but open-minded. And the students and faculty are supportive and nice. </p>

<p>Also academically wise, it’s intense. Maybe a parent might not know the amount of stress and work to achieve good results, but as a student I’m constantly working. Being a junior now not only do I have to study for SATs but keep up with the exams, tests, and homework assignments. I haven’t taken a breath since 7th grade, and back then I was staying up as late as 12. </p>

<p>(sorry this whole post was about BBN.) My friends attend Belmont Hill. It is a very sports centered school (as is BBN) and academically intense. Their campus is beautiful and in their own enclosed area unlike BBN where it is located on a busy street. Nobles and Rivers are also excellent in sports. Rivers is not as academically rigorous though. </p>

<p>Also just to add something. Last year in the Greater Boston list. BBN was ranked lower than it should have been, this was due to the fact that students and teachers refused to answer the questions from Greater Boston. As a result they place BBN lower from lack of information. (they called Greater Boston and the list was edited though)</p>

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<p>I know a bit about Boston area prep schools, so I guess I’ll contribute. </p>

<p>St. Sebs: I know a kid here. It’s a good school, and has great sports. I wouldn’t call it a “jock” school, I’d call it more of a “preppy” school. There isn’t much FA, and the average grant is only half the tuition. </p>

<p>BB&N: Don’t mean to sound bad here, but I’ve heard some pretty nasty things about this place. I know a few kids at BB&N, and some of them are really unhappy. They say it’s too sports oriented, and the kids there only care about getting into an ivy league university. I heard that some kid there got beaten up for getting into a college that another kid didn’t get into. But that’s probably just a rumor. Also, all the kids I know who go there are pretty rich and “preppy.” It has a $30k tuition, and the average grant is $17k, and I know that the FA program at BB&N isn’t the strongest. Not to say that there aren’t people on FA at BB&N, but it’s not a need-Andover. Also, my parents know people who’ve gone to BB&N, and they really don’t like them in general. When I told them I was considering it, (to late to apply now) they said, “We don’t want you to turn into someone who went to BB&N.” So, I know my experience differs from many of the stuff I’m hearing, but you guys actually go to the school so you’re probably more qualified to talk about this stuff than I am.</p>

<p>Middlesex: Most boarding, but 25% day. I’m applying as a day student. Seems to have a pretty good day student culture, by assigning kids to “day student houses.” It’s excellent academically,and is great musically and athletically. I don’t think you could go wrong with Middlesex.</p>

<p>Milton: I initially considered it, but I got a bad vibe. Has a 50% day student population, so I imagine that creates some tension. Also, I didn’t really see myself as a Milton student. </p>

<p>Nobles: Dunno much about here. It has five day boarding, and the buildings look like castles.</p>

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<p>We are near the end of our journey in applying to Boston area schools in the ISL. Here’s what we discovered during the process:</p>

<p>BB&N: LOVED this school! We are biased, however, considering that several family members attended BB&N. Academically rigorous school and athletics are mandatory. We were invited to the MLK Jr. celebration and thoroughly enjoyed the vibrant, welcoming, and diverse community. No other school that our child had applied to celebrated this important holiday like BB&N. The admission staff is extremely helpful and friendly. The students seem incredibly happy and engaged. Our child loved his visit to BB&N.</p>

<p>Nobles: Hated this school. The glossy brochures and pamphlets, “know nobles” and “know more,” are full of gimicks and cheesy bylines. Known as the Rich Kid School. Buildings are mostly new construction and has an ostentatious atmosphere. During curriculum night, headmaster was arrogant and made several slams on public schools families - not the type of superiority that we would want instilled in our child because of his attendence of an independent school. In addition, the senior students on the panel were unimpressive, inarticulate, and unenthusiastic. We left curriculum night knowing without a doubt that Nobles was not the right school for our child. Our child also did not enjoy his visit there because he felt that the students were “plastic.”</p>

<p>Milton: Also not a school for our child. Beautiful campus, but with a strong feel of entitlement. Nice international student population, but for a boarding school, it also has a significant “townie” atmosphere. We know of several students who have moved on after the 8th grade, primarily because of the clear social lines drawn between day students and boarders. </p>

<p>St. Sebs: Nice school, but since it’s Catholic and we are not religious, our child ruled this one out without a second glance. Great athletics but not academically rigorous. </p>

<p>Belmont Hill: Loved this school. Wonderful admission staff, impressive academic and athletics. Beautiful facilities. Once primarily known as a jock school in the 80’s, Belmont Hill has come a long way in rightfully attaining recognition for its outstanding and progressive curriculum (after looking at the course catalog, I wanted to be a student at Belmont Hill!). The headmaster was warm, approachable, and extremely knowledgable about educating boys for the future. </p>

<p>Rivers School: Also loved this school, but Weston is a bit of a commute for us. Our child greatly enjoyed his/her visit there. He liked the students, the faculty, and the facilities. Impressive art department, fantastic athletics, but not academically rigorous.</p>

<p>Roxbury Latin: What can I say except that I have saved our favorite for last. The complete opposite of Nobles and Milton. A low key and tight knit school that offers a classic education, superb athletics, and an outstanding music and arts department. Warm and welcoming faculty; a fun and diverse and student body. While our son was in his interview, we flipped through several of the school year books and could not resist chuckling at the wit displayed on every page. The many family friends who have sons at RL always say that walking through the gates of RL is like walking through the pearly gates of education heaven.</p>

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<p>All the schools mentioned are at least good schools, but there are some distinct differences between them:</p>

<p>St. Seb’s: sports-oriented, biggest sport is hockey as their huge arena just pops out at you. Not as academically rigorous, on the low end of the ISL, big on sports, and smaller FA pool. Tuition is $30K, and if you want a similar education, I would recommend a local parochial school (for example, Catholic Memorial in West Roxbury, Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Bishop Feehan High School in North Attleboro), which has a significantly lower tuition and offers merit scholarships. Dress code is</p>

<p>Nobles: yeah, you’re right; know Nobles is pretty cheesy, but nevertheless it provides a combination of good-great academics and very good athletics. Laid-back and Aeropostale is a big brand there. The athletic fields and facilities are absolutely amazing. Mild dress code, khakis and collared shirt for boys.</p>

<p>Milton: I sensed a bad vibe there, because it’s very polarized. You either love it or hate it. No dress code so that I could see. The 50/50 boarding and day split was definitely awkward to say the least. Great academics and little less athletics than the rest.</p>

<p>Belmont Hill: The academics are a bit better than BB&N and Nobles, and on par with those two. The three are pretty much on even turf. Beautiful school, great academics, one of the best athletic schools in Massachusetts, and great arts program. Cares a lot about character and community service, like RL. The headmaster says that “The most important measure we can for our students is a measure for their character.”</p>

<p>Roxbury Latin: I don’t think I can say much more, except heated rivals with BH. Wonderful place to be.</p>

<p>Rivers: I personally don’t really like this school. Shaky academics, lesser than St. Seb’s, and athletics are with St. Seb’s as well.</p>

<p>BB&N: Very good school, great architectural design for their buildings, campus looks very nice. Great academics and athletics.</p>

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<p>I would not call a St. Sebs education similar to one from Catholic Memorial. Personally, I don’t really like CM that much. If you want a good Catholic education, go to St. John’s Prep, St. Sebastian’s, Xaverian Brother, or Malden Catholic. Not BC High or CM.</p>

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<p>I’ll chime in too.
It’s crucial to visit the schools, and to look for the differences that are key for your family. Sports can be a big issue - for us, it was hard to find schools of rigor that did not also make considerable demands of students in sports. My child did not want to be forced onto a team or into sports of no interest.
Boston University Academy and Commonwealth School are two to look at if you want an intellectual climate and a very low-key sports scene.
RL - it’s great for those that fit, but it’s not for everyone - there are plenty of boys who are smart enough but just won’t fit.</p>

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<p>From my perspective:</p>

<p>St. Sebs–More of a jock school, that tends to admit the type of kids that XBHS and CM would love to get their hands on. They do make academic exceptions for athletes, especially in hockey. Not much to be had for FA. I have heard of people call Seb’s as a school for the “lace curtain Irish.”</p>

<p>Thayer–Sometimes known as “the public school you pay for” on the south shore. Not sure that I would agree with that, but they are not as strong as their nearest neighbors (Milton, RL, Nobles). They are hurt by the many good PS options on the emerald coast.</p>

<p>Nobles–Loved the open house, but hated the visit and the following interview. Nobles seemed very elitist. I know who attend Nobles, and they seem pretty nice. I am not sure what happens there that gives out that vibe. Maybe I am wrong. </p>

<p>Rivers–Small school with somewhat limited athletic options. The school has developed a pretty rigorous academic curriculum, and they have always been strong in the arts. I know kids who have been recruited for sports and have gone elsewhere due to the athletics. </p>

<p>BB&N–Don’t know too much about the school, except for the perception that it is a very PC school, as one might expect from it’s proximity to Harvard. I know families who have kids there. Some love it. Some not so much.</p>

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<p>Only have some views on the last three ^^^</p>

<p>Son did not end up applying to any. Nobles seemed small and not on par with the better NE boarding schools. Felt insular. Academics did not seem rigorous enough but the focus on community service was spot on, nice.</p>

<p>Rivers is known for its Music Conservatory and DS was in its well acclaimed orchestras, but the school has a reputation locally as a school for kids with LD or ADHD or special academic challenges and not so much for academic rigor.</p>

<p>BBN felt like a pressure cooker where kids feel that only the very top matriculate well. Lots of competition. Additionally, BBN gave up their Track program (DS excels at track)and when we visited had posted signs touting something like, it was okay to be a mathlete instead of an athlete. We felt that too much emphasis was being put on academics, and not enough on a well rounded student who benefits from a sound body as well as sound mind thru athletics. The campus is very small being in a city and all, and it felt more like a glorified one building or so high school. Basically we got the feeling, is this it? Although there are lots of legacy at the school and they think very highly of themselves, outside the area, I don’t think others think it’s on par with some of the other day schools and NE boarding schools including Milton and Nobles.</p>

<p>I really want DD to think about Winsor which has a stellar reputation, but she is worried about a single gender school and that by reputation it too might be a pressure cooker. When I asked one young woman who attended and is now at Harvard if she enjoyed it, she answered, “No one enjoys it…you just endure it.”</p>

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<p>I hear BB&N’s GPA is low compared with other schools. What is BB&N high school’s average GPA? How many students get 4.0?</p>

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<p>some other thoughts–after being on the boards of several greater Boston day schools (grammar not hs–but which sent graduates to these schools), a boarding school, having a practice that is mostly hs and college aged students and having three kids who have looked at greater Boston day schools–but not affiliated with any directly:</p>

<p>RL-- It is NOT what it was now that Fr Jarvis has retired. It is looking for its way forward but hasn’t found it yet. Its huge draw with Harvard admissions is no more (look at last several year’s acceptance list). It has very inflexible set of academic requirements. However, its tuition is astonishingly low because of its endowment. </p>

<p>Winsor–very very large issue with body image with many of the girls here. The present headmistress came on board with a mission to lighten up Winsor–so far hasn’t succeed. Excellent academics, large sport program. One very prominent Boston educational consulting firm is now refusing to recommend Winsor until the culture does indeed change.</p>

<p>BH–always in RL’s shadow but shouldn’t be. Top flight boys school in all respects–also with inflexible requirements, but with an administration that knows where it wants to take the school. A bit difficult to get to in terms of major roads (as compared to several of the other schools) but excellent.</p>

<p>Nobles–for years it has been the toughest admit in Boston day schools. Haughty, but deservedly so. The campus is extraordinary for a day school (very small boarding) No sports waivers, Excellent academics. Great teachers. Lots and lots of homework. Dedham is also off the beaten track a bit. </p>

<p>BBN–For the life of me I can’t understand why this school exists now that Cambridge has a new public high school. For all intents and purposes it is a public high school that would exist in a town such as Weston–but because it is in Cambridge it is a private school. </p>

<p>Commonwealth–academically in the same league with BUA for the best in Boston. Situated in a huge double townhouse on Comm Ave in Back Bay–It has brilliant but quirky kids --and brilliant but quirky teachers. Amazing head. If two or three students get together they can petition a teacher to give them a course (Sanskrit several years ago, for example…) Lots of sports waivers. Surprisingly good arts for the size of the school. Step inside for a visit and within minutes you will either thing you have found home or leave quickly.</p>

<p>BUA–Academically the strongest school in Boston (less intellectually quirky than Commonwealth). Kids can start classes at BU as early as 9th grade and by 12th grade take just about all of their classes there–they use BU library as its library. Classical curriculum with the Triduum in 9th grade and mandatory Latin or Ancient Greek for first two years. Happy to give sports waivers for kids who are on club teams. Poor arts. Terrific head–probably the best in Boston. I get the sense that the admissions department can spot a BUA kid–as they are a different breed. Very very intense and very small (40-45 kids a year). Like Commonwealth you will not have mixed feelings about BUA.</p>

<p>Rivers–has been trying to get out of being peoples’ back-up school and has tried to raise its academic profile but not yet there. Top flight music program (a notch below Walnut Hill but otherwise best in Boston), excellent athletics. </p>

<p>Boston College High-- Jesuit school–'nuff said. Many Boston leaders are “Eagles” (or if went to BC for college “Double Eagles” or if also Law School “Triple Eagles”). On the waterfront so difficult commute during rush hours. </p>

<p>Milton–I have a prejudice here–everytime I have visited it I have never liked it. The kids seem like they go to “Chilton” of the Gilmore Girls–they are driven, status and career oriented but with little intellectual heft. It has an excellent college (esp Harvard) placement–but one gets the impression that for everyone there that it is a way station to the next plaudit rather than a destination in of itself–but again, I just don’t like the place.</p>

<p>St Sebs–it is trying to match its athletic prowess with academic power but that is an unfinished area of work. It is in Needham so a bit out of the city off 128. </p>

<p>Concord–this school makes me very sad. it WAS a wonderfully artsy, Quaker-like (NB: it is not a Friends school), progressive school. About 6 years ago the board hired the former number two at Milton (who go turned down for the Milton top job) and he has gotten rid of its charm. Now it is just another school—a number of the arts faculty have felt or riding time out until retirement–it actively seeks athletes in the admissions process and the progressive nature of the school is quickly being snuffed out. So sad.</p>

<p>CSW–progressive school uses the block system. Academics are much better than they were but still not in the top tier of Boston schools. Sports? Other than Ultimate frisbee–I dunno. Has an undeserved reputations (true a decade or so ago) as a stoner school–now drug culture is no better or worse than elsewhere. Kids who go here are very happy–but it is very self-selected group. You will know immediately if you should stay for the tour.</p>

<p>Anyway those are some idiosyncratic thoughts.</p>

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<p>You’ve made this claim before and again I’m compelled to respond that your description of Concord is completely ridiculous. It seems that you hold some personal enmity against the Head of School at Concord and feel a need to attack the entire school because of it. Your claim that Concord recruits athletes is untrue and just plain silly. Students with athletic ability are valued but not more than in the past, and not more than those with academic or artistic ability. The arts faculty is still inspired and full of energy. Just this weekend the school performed a world premier of a musical adaptation (created at the school) of Much Ado About Nothing which was a collaboration between the theatre, dance, vocal, and instrumental programs. It was certainly a labor of love and the performance showed it. The school remains a progressive place where everyone is nice to each other and the love of learning, common trust, and respect for individuality is as strong as ever.</p>

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<p>we disagree. i have had a number of arts faculty speak with me about leaving and their unhappiness at the direction of the school though mutual friends. Several have made it very plain that “Concord is no longer Concord.” They too “mourn the loss of Concord” as one senior arts faculty member put it–he has since left. Others who have been involved with independent schools for decades --one was a senior official with NAIS–have also said the same things. (I have a number of colleagues, bc of my counseling and board work, in the independent school world.)</p>

<p>As I say, i have no dog in the hunt–none. I am an outside observer who has heard from these teachers and others. What is more I have seen the type of kid Concord used to take from the schools with which I have been associated and the type now. The kids are smart–still are, maybe even more-- but the really creative kids are now shying away. Why is that? Athletically gifted kids are getting athletically geared tours and calls from coaches. That is great but that wasn’t the case a decade ago. (BTW: I have a serious musician for one child and a serious jock in another so there is no ranking between the two types of children…)</p>

<p>It is good that you have been happy with your family’s experience–and good that you post as such. I am merely posting because of what I have seen (and I make it clear it is just my idiosyncratic observations) and heard from a number of people over the past several years. Readers of this forum deserve to see both views and they can check out the school–as they should for all of these schools–and decide for themselves. That’s all.</p>

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<p>This is simply untrue. I’ve volunteered in the admissions office during the period we’re discussing. All kids get the same tour. The tour guide may tweak the tour based on the specific interests of the kid or family, but that has always been the case.</p>

<p>You or the people you talk to may be confusing the opening of the new athletic campus with a new emphasis on sports. This is not the case. A need for better sports facilities has been recognized for at least the past two decades. The school moved on this when the Arena Farms property became available because that amount of land does not often become available in Concord. The new athletic campus was driven by the board of trustees, not the current head of school.</p>

<p>The new co-curricular requirements at Concord actually provide for more non-athletic options, so a non-athlete coming to the school now may be even happier than in the past.</p>

<p>While there were some cuts at the start of the financial crisis, they affected both the arts program and the athletic program, and actually hit the athletic program harder (fewer phys ed classes). The cut programs have slowly been added back. I know of only one senior arts faculty member no longer on the staff, but that person still serves on a consulting basis and participates in performing arts programs to this day.</p>

<p>I think the people you’ve been talking to either don’t really know what they’re talking about, are relying on hearsay, or are reporting on knee-jerk reactions to old cuts that didn’t play out the way everyone feared. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion and to report what you’ve heard, but it’s so far outside of my experience with the school that I need to challenge it.</p>

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<p>Interestingly, I applied to 6 schools. After finally narrowing it down to 10, I had to make some very tough decisions. Concord was in my top ten. “Art” is my #1 passion, specifically Paint & Draw. I probably would have loved Concord Academy, but at the end of the day I deleted CA from my top 10 for two reasons: 1) I felt their athletics were simply not strong enough, and 2) I wanted a higher boarding population. 60% was really my cut off on boarding population. Had CA’s athletic departments seemed stronger would I have applied even with a 50/50% boarding/day population? You bet I would have. </p>

<p>As I mentioned, “Art” is my passion and yes, after boarding school I will probably not participate in college athletics and I will ALWAYS be an artist and ART will always be my #1 passion. Unfortunately, due to the weaker athletic program I am not applying to CA. Had I known that they were intent on ramping up their athletics that could have changed things. Of course, things don’t change overnight. I.e. It will take them a few years to even be competitive.</p>

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<p>Wow, just wow! You maligned most of the local day schools in the Boston area and your information seems way off base. How much experience do you actually have with these schools?</p>

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<p>^^02138–lots…lots–I have been on the boards of a number of private grammar schools for several decades (three schools) and one high school and have seen patients from a number of these schools in my practice. I have close friends in the educational community both in the schools and consultants here and in the national private school world. One of the questions that often gets asked among us is why are Boston schools so mediocre for a city as educationally savvy as this one. It is because of the population of Greater Boston these schools get much better students than they deserve. In many respects the problems can be traced back to complacency-- they get strong students and full classes so why bother changing things.</p>

<p>Hey, if you disagree, that if your right and privilege. I wrote several times in the original post that it is my idiosyncratic view–that is all. If you love the schools and have different opinions about them–write–let a hundred flowers bloom.</p>

<p>As for HADES 2’s questions, debate is excellent in most of the schools (are you writing about NFL debate or parliamentary debating?-- there is a difference, I am not sure how many offer the later.) Model UN is also very popular. I am not specifically sure, but I would hazard to guess that most would offer it–or if they didn’t would be open to having a club started.</p>

<p>Crew–Belmont Hill and Winsor share a boat house, BB&N has its own boat house. I think–but am not sure–that BUA has a crew (but given its size probably a 4 not an 8) out of the BU boat house. There maybe other schools that row, but I am not positive. However, there is a top public program Community Rowing that has a lot of high school aged kids participate. Many schools will give waivers for those kids participating but some schools such as RL do NOT give waivers so you need to ask specifically and get more than vague commitments before you accept an offer from a school-- we know too many friends whose children sufferd a bait and switch-in which vague promises were made but once the child was enrolled were not honored. This has caused much angst for both the family and the school–anxiety that could/should have been avoided if both sides were clear prior to commitment day.</p>

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<p>And not most-- I just re-read my post-- I like a bunch of schools–BH, Commonwealth, BUA, BC High, CSW–and think some are fine-- Rivers and St Sebs-- there are some I with which I have concerns/problems BBN, Winsor, Milton, Concord and RL. And RL will be fine once it figures out where it wishes to go now that its iconic headmaster has retired, it is just that Tony Jarvis WAS the heart and soul of RL for such a long period of time and his departure has caused a huge hole that is yet to be filled. </p>

<p>One school I didn’t discuss-- Dana Hall–fine girls school in Wellesley, not nearly as pressure cooker-esque as Winsor-- mixed day/boarding, beautiful campus. Kids seem very happy. Has a variety of arts and athletics programs. Academics can challenge top girls to the less academically inclined.</p>

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<p>Re Concord - I wish I knew who was “right” about how it is there - both EtonDad and and photodad obviously know the school well. It’s high on our list (as I’ve posted before - for some reason today I had to reregister for CC with a new name because I couldn’t get my password to work and I couldn’t get a new one) so, while it looks like this is my first post, I’ve been around for a couple of months.) We want strong arts, especially dance (my SIL was a dancer there 25 years ago) and good sports - doesn’t have to be The Best, just want my DC to be able to play and have fun.</p>

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<p>^JAHphotoMom</p>

<p>Best wishes to your DC for good news on March 10th. For any school to which your DC gains admission, ask for a list of several current parents who would be willing to talk to you and don’t hesitate to ask the hard questions. </p>

<p>^etondad</p>

<p>“In many respects the problems can be traced back to complacency-- they get strong students and full classes so why bother changing things”</p>

<p>I agree with you. </p>

<p>“Many schools will give waivers for those kids participating but some schools such as RL do NOT give waivers so you need to ask specifically and get more than vague commitments before you accept an offer from a school-- we know too many friends whose children sufferd a bait and switch-in which vague promises were made but once the child was enrolled were not honored. This has caused much angst for both the family and the school–anxiety that could/should have been avoided if both sides were clear prior to commitment day.”</p>

<p>ISL schools are bound by ISL rules regarding waivers, BUT there are vast differences between schools regarding the pursuit of elite activities outside of school. Ask, ask, ask. Some schools forbid taking time off from school for national or international competition, other make the penalty so onerous as to completely discourage it, and others embrace the diversity that these kids bring to the community.</p>

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<p>@JAHphotoMom - Well, based on his posts I don’t think etondad knows as much as he thinks he does. But it’s pointless to keep arguing about it.</p>

<p>A good place to get a relatively honest view of a school is by reading the student newspaper. You can find the Concord newspaper in the publications section of its campus life page. The December 4 and February 5 issues give a good idea of the arts scene.</p>

<p>Beyond that, if you’re still looking at Concord after March 10, you can talk to faculty members and/or students at revisit day (either by arrangement or just by walking up to people; everyone is happy to talk on that day). You can also call or email faculty members directly (the info is on the faculty directory on the web page) prior to revisit day.</p>