A Comprehensive Look at Top Private Day High Schools in the Boston Area (Part 2)

November 5, 2024

Finding the right day school can be a challenge. To make it easier, we’ve created a series of guides on top private day schools in the Boston area. In Part 1, we highlighted several well-regarded schools. In this next part, we continue the series by introducing additional schools and showcasing what makes each one unique.

1. Newton Country Day School

Founded in 1880, Newton Country Day School is a college-preparatory school for girls ages 5–12. Located in Boston, it is one of the oldest independent Catholic girls’ schools in New England and is part of the Sacred Heart Network of Schools, which includes 42 countries and 22 cities across the United States.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 issued; supports F-1 visas. Students must live with their immediate family, homestay or independent dormitory options are not available.
Interview: Required for both students and parents, typically lasting about 45 minutes. Interviews can be scheduled before the end of January.
Standardized test scores: Strong English proficiency is required. High school applicants must submit SSAT, PSAT, ACT, and SAT scores.

Course Offerings
The school has nine academic departments, including art, English, world languages, history, mathematics, science, and religious studies, offering more than 120 courses, including 21 advanced courses.

Featured Programs

Sacred Heart Network Exchange: Newton Country Day School is part of a national and international network of schools. The Sacred Heart Network includes 24 schools in North America and 41 countries worldwide, giving students the chance to join a variety of programs.
Hesed Program: This program, required for 11th graders, focuses on social awareness and the Sacred Heart Goals III. Students complete 40 hours of community service as part of the program.

University Placement
Graduates have gone on to top universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Oxford, Princeton, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Boston College, Boston University, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, Tufts, and Northwestern.

2. The Winsor School

Founded in 1886, The Winsor School is a private day school for girls in grades 5–12. Located near Fenway Park and the Longwood Medical District, students benefit from Boston’s academic and cultural resources.

Application Requirements

International students: Does not issue I-20 or support F-1 visas.
Interview: Recommended after submitting the Character Skills Snapshot and Preliminary Application.
Standardized test scores: ISEE recommended for grades 5–7; SSAT recommended for grades 9–11.
Admissions: Acceptance rate is 25%. The school does not admit students in grades 8 and 12, and there are limited spots for grades 10 and 11.

Course Offerings
The curriculum focuses on college preparation and includes 13 AP courses across mathematics, science, and world languages.

Featured Programs

Independent Learning Experience (ILE): This required course for seniors allows students to explore a specific interest independently.
Global Studies: During the fall or spring semester, 11th graders take paired English and History courses focused on the history and literature of a particular global region.

University Placement
Graduates attend top institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Northwestern, Duke, Emory, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Northeastern, Boston College, Tufts, and University of North Carolina.

3. Roxbury Latin School

Founded in 1645, Roxbury Latin is one of North America’s oldest independent day schools for boys grades 7–12. Located in West Roxbury, the school has a long history of academic excellence.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 not issued; F-1 visas not supported.
Interview: Required; campus visit lasts 1.5–2 hours.
Standardized test scores: ISEE for grades 7–8; SSAT for grade 9.

Course Offerings
Classes are small, with an average of 12 students and a 1:6 teacher-student ratio. Faculty are highly qualified, with 84% holding graduate degrees or higher. Core subjects include art, English, history, classical and modern languages, computer science, mathematics, and science.

Featured Programs

Independent Senior Projects (ISP): This program lets seniors work on a project of their choice during the last four weeks of the school year instead of regular classes.
RL@Work: Started in 2017, this program gives students off-campus experiences, including workplace visits, interactions with professionals, group discussions, personal reflection, and participation in design challenges and case studies.
Hall Program: This distinguished speaker series brings experts to Roxbury Latin to share their real-life experiences with students.

University Placement
Graduates attend Ivy League and other top universities, including Harvard, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, University of Chicago, Northwestern, Duke, Brown, Boston College, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Northeastern, UCLA, and USC. In the past five years, 38 students went to Harvard, 8 to Yale, 5 to Princeton, and 18 to Brown.

4. Belmont Hill School

Founded in 1923, Belmont Hill is a day school for boys in grades 7–12. The school combines rigorous academics with a strong athletic program, helping students grow intellectually, physically, and personally.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 not issued; F-1 visas not supported. Students must have at least one parent living in the Boston area. Boarding is available Monday–Friday, with students returning home on weekends.
Interview: In-person or online interviews from October to December; online only in January.
Standardized test scores: ISEE or SSAT required.

Course Offerings & Programs

Harkness Table: A core part of the school experience, the Harkness Table is an oval table used by teachers to encourage discussion and the sharing of diverse perspectives in the classroom.
ASR Poster Night Showcase: This event gives seniors a chance to present their scientific research projects to faculty, parents, and mentors. Students defend their semi-thesis, showcasing their long-term efforts, research skills, and academic growth.
Biomedical Engineering: In partnership with Johns Hopkins University, students can explore biomedical engineering and design through a pilot program.
Summer Programs: Belmont Hill offers academic and athletic summer programs. Academic courses include math, science, technology, English, SAT preparation, and the arts. Sports programs cover baseball, basketball, lacrosse, flag football, stickball, multi-sport, soccer, and strength and conditioning.
Speaker Program: Students benefit from presentations by outstanding speakers held at the historic Hamilton Chapel.
Advanced Action Research (AAR): Originating from the School Participation in Action Research Collaborative (SPARC), this program allows students to engage in collaborative research with 11 independent schools and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.
Advanced Science Research (ASR): Students in grades 11 and 12 conduct independent scientific research at universities, hospitals, or professional laboratories, gaining hands-on experience in real-world settings.

University Placement
Graduates attend top universities including Princeton, Northwestern, Duke, Arizona State, Boston College, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Michigan State, Dartmouth, University of North Carolina, New York University, Northeastern, Pennsylvania State, Harvard, Syracuse, WPI, Yale, and Colorado College.

5. Noble & Greenough School

Noble & Greenough is a coeducational day school located on a 187-acre campus in Dedham, Massachusetts, just 10 miles from Boston.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 not issued; F-1 visas not supported. Offers a 5-day boarding option.
Interview: Managed through the Ravenna system.
Standardized test scores: ISEE for junior high; SSAT for high school. The school does not admit students in grade 12.

Course Offerings
The curriculum focuses on building foundational skills in grades 9–10. Upper grades offer AP courses in subjects including environmental science, photography, calculus, and more. Graduation requirements include credits in English, history, social sciences, mathematics, science, arts, and modern languages.

Featured Programs

Experiential and Community Engaged Learning (EXCEL) Program: This program gives students hands-on learning opportunities, public service experience, and cross-cultural engagement, helping them develop as leaders in service.
Community Service: Nobles students are not only academically strong, artistically talented, and athletically skilled, but also compassionate and committed to helping others.
Global & Cross-Cultural Immersion Program: Students participate in meaningful trips to learn about different communities and cultures. Activities include helping rebuild communities affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, visiting the killing fields in Cambodia, and supporting children with serious illnesses in Maine.

University Placement
Graduates attend top universities, including Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Cornell.

6. Brimmer & May School

Founded in 1880, Brimmer & May is a coeducational K–12 day school located in Chestnut Hill, Newton County, Massachusetts.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 issued; F-1 visa supported. Seniors may live with host families, while younger students must live with their parents.
Interview: Complete the online inquiry form and schedule through Ravenna.
Standardized test scores: ISEE for middle school; SSAT for high school. Submission is recommended but not required for international students.

Course Offerings
The school offers 17 AP courses in English, history, science, mathematics, and foreign languages. Students take seven courses per semester, including at least five academic courses and one or two electives.

Featured Programs

STEAM Diploma Program: This program allows students to study an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines the five core STEAM subjects. Its goal is to inspire students and prepare them for rigorous STEAM courses in college.
Creative Arts Diploma Program: Designed for students passionate about the arts, this program helps them specialize in their chosen art form, document their work, connect with Boston’s arts community, and share their talents with a wider audience.
Global Studies Diploma Program: This program prepares students to become informed and engaged citizens.

University Placement
Graduates attend top universities, including University of Chicago, Yale, Carnegie Mellon, Boston University, Brandeis, George Washington University, Michigan State, Northeastern, Princeton, and Smith College.

7. Thayer Academy

Founded in 1877, Thayer Academy is a college-preparatory school offering a rigorous academic program, personalized mentoring, and world-class facilities. Located in Braintree, Massachusetts, the school provides easy access to Boston via the MBTA Red Line.

Application Requirements

International students: I-20 issued. Only fall enrollment is accepted. Boarding is not provided, but host families can be arranged.
Interview: Non-native English speakers from China, Hong Kong, Taipei, and South Korea must complete a Vericant interview.
Standardized test scores: Grades 9–12 require SSAT and TOEFL; grades 5–8 require SSAT/ISEE and TOEFL Junior. Successful applicants typically have TOEFL scores above 90 and TOEFL Junior scores above 820.

Course Offerings
The school offers 149 high school courses, including honors and AP options in most subjects.

Featured Programs

Global Scholars Program: Saarland High School’s Global Scholars capstone program helps students gain a deep understanding of global issues by combining interdisciplinary learning with real-world experiences.
Senior Projects: This off-campus program for 12th graders allows students to pursue independent projects. Past examples include collecting plants in New Hampshire, composing music for a local conservatory, and working with representatives on Beacon Hill in Boston and Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

University Placement
Graduates attend top universities such as Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Northwestern, Tufts, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Bates, Berklee, Boston College, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Connecticut College, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, and more.

This concludes Part 2 of our guide to Boston’s top private day schools. For a more complete overview and to explore additional schools, be sure to check out [Part 1] to help find the right fit for your child.

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.