Boston Area Private Day Prep Schools

Just to narrow it down geographically… Could we start a discussion on the day schools in the Boston Area? I’ve asked on other threads about Concord Academy, BB&N and Nobles, any insight into the social aspect of these schools? Any standout pros or cons? Thanks :slight_smile:

No inside info from me…
We tried to go to Concord Academy for an interview…I got sick that day so called them to reschedule. Was told very rudely that they don’t have any more times available.
Interview at BBN lasted about 30 seconds. I was really surprised and a bit offended (my daughter is a very good talker). But as it wasn’t our first choice school so didn’t give it much thought.

There’s Milton Academy, it’s around an 18 min. drive according to Google. It’s 50-50 day/boarding from what I remember when I applied this past year, and it’s got a beautiful campus. It’s got great academics, along with a great theater program. In my opinion, it’s very competitive for applicants but that’s just one perspective.

There’s also Beaver Country Day which is in Chestnut Hill. It’s very arts and tech oriented other than that I don’t know too much…

A lot of kids from my son’s school go to CA. Very nice kids, well rounded, not pretentious. Seems like there aren’t really any cliques and kids all get along. I haven’t had much experience with Nobles, but I would definitely visit both as they seem to have different vibes from what I hear.

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I don’t get who Nobles takes. It’s definitely not the best and brightest. Is it mostly legacy or those with money? I don’t think they necessarily have a stellar reputation as much say as Winsor, BBN, Roxbury Latin and Belmont Hill.

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I know a couple of girls who went to Beaver. Very different kids who had great outcomes there. The girls I know who went to Dana Hall were also quite happy although they were all more of a “type”. Always hard to extrapolate from a few kids to a whole school!

@vwlizard, thank you! Yes, she will visit both, hopefully she will get a gut feeling on one over the other. Curious if anyone knows if a kid who is not extremely liberal politically would feel comfortable at CA?

Thanks. I’ve heard Nobles has the preppy, beautiful people thing going on… wondering if a kid who is down to earth would be happy there…

There is also Thayer if you are looking for a no boarding option. BC High, BU Academy.

Depending where you are in the Boston area, there is the Cambridge School of Weston if you lean more artsy and less athletic.

What type of school are you looking for or would your child like?

How far west can you go? If you’re looking at Concord - Middlesex, Worcester Academy, and Lawrence Academy are in the same vicinity but I wouldn’t want to make the drive if you live too far east of Concord.

There are a few nice schools on the North Shore: Pingree, Waring, Brooks, but I’m not as familiar with those.

Any insight into social aspects of both CA and Nobles? Assuming academic aspects hit the mark, curious about what y’all might know about the culture of the two places… Thanks!

Are you looking for HS? What geographic area? Public transportation/school bus/car? Very sporty, academic, artistic? There are a lot of HS in the Boston metro area, but traffic makes some options less feasible.

Thanks, not looking to find schools, she has already been accepted to some and trying to decide : nobles, concord and bb&n… all pretty different schools - all great academically… now trying to figure out the culture/social aspects of the three…

@applehoney Thanks for the clarification. I misunderstood your initial post. Will send you a PM.

Are there any good co-ed schools that also have middle schools? For musical-artistic non-sports boy? I know Rivers and BB&N have middle schools…Any other options?

@yuor28 Do you want K-12, 6/7-12 or would you consider a K-8 with changing schools again for HS?

my son is in 5th grade right now, so he would be applying to 7th grade… I would not want him to change schools again in HS

My daughter was accepted to BBN and I would very much like to hear how it would be entering as a new student at Grade 10. She is on the quiet side. Also how demanding the academics are. Thank you for any input.

Worcester Academy has middle school.

thank you! I’ll look into it