A Comprehensive Guide to Top Private Day High Schools in the Boston Area (Part 1)

October 31, 2024

As competition for U.S. boarding school admissions increases, many families are exploring high-quality American day schools as an alternative. Day schools offer a rigorous education similar to boarding schools while allowing students to stay connected to their local communities and enjoy a more balanced learning environment.

The U.S. is home to many private day schools with strong academic programs and long histories. These schools are a good choice for families looking for quality education, a variety of extracurricular activities, and a focus on each student’s personal growth.

To help families learn more about top day schools, we are launching a series of guides. This first guide focuses on Boston, a historic and vibrant city in the northeastern United States. Boston is home to world-renowned universities such as Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and Northeastern University. The city also offers cultural and professional resources, from Revolutionary War sites to major hospitals and financial institutions, making it an ideal location for students seeking both strong academics and enriching local experiences.

Below, we introduce some of the leading private day schools in the Boston area.

1. Boston University Academy

Boston University Academy is located on the Boston University campus, giving students access to the university’s resources as well as the city of Boston.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 issued; F-1 visas supported. At least one parent must plan to move to the Boston area. Homestay is not provided. Students complete a timed writing assessment on interview day.
Interview: Required, either virtual or in-person with a student admissions ambassador (Sept 21–Jan 27), followed by a 45–60 minute Zoom interview.
Standardized tests: SSAT required. Students in grades 11 and above must submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores. Non-native English speakers must submit a TOEFL score of at least 100. Official scores are due by Jan 31.

Course Offerings
All courses are honors-level.

Grades 9–10: English, history, science, math, classical languages, art, and PE.
Grades 11–12: Students take 12 courses from over 2,000 undergraduate courses at Boston University.

Featured Projects

Ninth- and Tenth-Grade Seminars: These seminars give students hands-on learning experiences in three rotating themes each year: Health and Wellness, Cultural Competence, and Computer Science.
Senior Thesis: All 12th-grade students complete an independent research project guided by a university professor before graduation.

University Placement
Graduates attend top institutions including Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Northeastern, and more.

2. Commonwealth School

Located in Boston’s Back Bay, Commonwealth School is close to Copley Square, museums, and cultural centers, offering students a rich academic and extracurricular experience.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 issued; F-1 visa supported. Homestay is not offered. Students must live with family or relocate with a parent.
Interview: Families who apply before January 1 can visit or interview in person, while those applying later complete an online interview.
Standardized tests: SSAT or ISEE required; additional test scores encouraged. TOEFL is required for international students.

Course Offerings

Honors and AP courses in all subjects, including advanced science and math.
1:1 advisor program provides personalized guidance starting in grade 9.
Students in grades 9–10 must complete 20 hours of community service.

Featured Projects

Project Week: Students in grades 9–11 take part in Project Week, completing internships and independent projects in Boston and beyond. Opportunities include placements in laboratories, nursing homes, government offices, law firms, and other organizations. Students may also participate in exchange programs in Commonwealth countries. Those staying on campus can choose projects in areas like life drawing, computer programming, or drama.
Dive In Commonwealth: This free, rigorous summer program is designed for high-achieving, under-resourced students. Starting the summer after seventh grade, admitted students complete a 14-month program that prepares them for high school and college.
Study and Travel Abroad: During spring break, students have the chance to study abroad with faculty guidance, traveling to countries such as Spain and France.

University Placement
Alumni attend top schools including Brown, Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, NYU, Oxford, Tufts, University of Pennsylvania, and more.

3. Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (BB&N)

BB&N serves students from over 90 communities across Eastern Massachusetts. The school is located along the Charles River near Cambridge and Boston.

Application Requirements

International students: F-1 visas are not issued. Students must live with family in the Boston area. Homestay is not provided.
Interview: Inquiry form required. Applicants must be at least 4 years old by September 1.
Standardized tests: SSAT required; ISEE, SAT, or PSAT also accepted. Tests should ideally be completed by early January.

Course Offerings

Advanced Computer Science for 12th graders includes simulated computer systems, algorithms, machine learning, iOS app development, and more.

Featured Projects

Bivouac: At the start of ninth grade, students gain outdoor experience and learn survival skills, including handling emergencies and supporting one another.
Senior Project: In their final two months, seniors design and carry out an independent project focused on academics, community service, career goals, or personal interests.
Global Online Academy: As a member of the Global Online Academy (GOA), BB&N students can take courses and collaborate with peers from across the U.S. and around the world.

University Placement
Graduates attend top institutions including Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, University of Chicago, Brown, Northwestern, Duke, NYU, Carnegie Mellon, and more.

4. The Rivers School

The Rivers School is a coeducational day school for grades 6–12, located on 55 scenic acres in Weston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1915, the school offers strong academics, arts, and extracurricular programs.

Application Requirements

International students: F-1 visas not issued.
Interview: Inquiry form, Ravenna account, school visit, and application required.
Standardized tests: ISEE for grades 6–8; SSAT for grades 9–11.

Course Offerings

Over 40 honors and AP courses across a variety of subjects.

Featured Projects

McCartney Scholars: This program supports students passionate about mathematics. Each year, up to six 11th graders are selected to become McCartney Scholars and hold the title through 11th and 12th grade.
The Rivers School Conservatory: A prestigious program for students with strong musical talent and interest, preparing them for advanced study in music.
Sages & Seekers: A 10th-grade project where students interview local elders to learn their life stories, helping develop empathy and cultural understanding.

University Placement
Graduates attend top institutions including Boston College, Brown, Dartmouth, Northeastern, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, and more.

5. Dexter Southfield School

Dexter Southfield School is located on a 36-acre campus, just five miles from downtown Boston. The school emphasizes strong academics, leadership development, and real-world learning experiences.

Application Requirements

International students: F-1 visas not issued; students must live with family in the Boston area.
Interview: Required; submit an inquiry form and schedule a visit via Ravenna.
Standardized tests: SSAT or ISEE required for grades 6–12; PSAT, SAT, or ACT optional for grades 9–12. TOEFL is required for non-native English speakers.

Course Offerings

Dexter Southfield has seven academic departments, including English, mathematics, science, history, modern and classical languages, art, and ethics. The school offers 10 AP courses and 39 honors courses.
Students also have opportunities for hands-on learning and research with institutions such as Harvard Medical School, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and MIT.
All students are required to complete at least 40 hours of community service before graduation.

Featured Projects

Public Speaking: Public speaking is a key part of the curriculum, helping students build confidence, leadership, and strong communication skills.
New Venture Competition: This entrepreneurship program encourages seniors to identify a business, service, or product opportunity and develop a full plan for it. Students work in teams, conduct research, and create budgets, marketing strategies, and models. They also receive guidance from alumni, parents, mentors, and workshops.
January Term (J-Term): J-Term gives students in grades 9–12 the chance to explore topics in depth, broaden their understanding of the world, and develop critical thinking skills. Classes include enrichment activities and community-building events, such as friendly House competitions.
SILE (Senior Independent Learning Experience): In their final year, seniors complete an independent off-campus project. Guided by faculty and on-site mentors, students engage in internships, community service, career exploration, research, or creative projects, taking full advantage of Boston’s world-class resources.

University Placement
About 60% of students attend top 50 liberal arts colleges, including Harvard, Brown, Northwestern, Boston College, Tufts, University of Pennsylvania, and more.

This concludes Part 1 of our guide to Boston’s top private day schools. To explore more schools, visit [Part 2].

If you are considering applying to a U.S. high school, contact us for personalized one-on-one guidance and a customized application plan for your child.