Brimmer and May School

MISSION STATEMENT: Brimmer and May is a PK - 12 all gender day school that upholds high academic standards while implementing innovative ideas in a supportive and student-centered community. We develop lifelong learners who are informed, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders in our diverse world.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Inspired to Learn - We inspire students to be active learners, confident problem-solvers, and critical thinkers who work both independently and collaboratively. Encouraged to Explore - We encourage students to engage their curiosity, expand their creativity, explore their interests, develop their voices, and strive for their personal best. Empowered to Lead - We empower students to embrace opportunities, develop their intellect with character, and lead in the global community.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked MA School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 419 students
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 17 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Brimmer and May School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:

Category
Attribute
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Diverse
Year Founded
1880

Student Body

Total Students
419 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
20%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade
Brimmer and May School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
70 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
80%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
17 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Biology (lab), AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language, AP Macroeconomics, AP Mandarin Language, AP Microeconomics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP Physics 2 (lab), AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP Studio Art: 2-D Design, AP World History
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 17 / rolling
Tuition Notes
Tuition varies by grade/division. Please call for more information
% on Financial Aid
28%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$40,840
Admissions Director
Brian C. Beale

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
23 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Acoustic Music, Admission Ambassador, Community Service Club, Cribbage and Card Games, Digital Fabrication/Making Club, Documentary Film Club, Doodle Art Club, Global Studies, GSA (Gender and Sexuality for All), Knitting Club, Make Cool Videos Club, Model United Nations, Politics of the Election, Quiz Bowl, Robotics Club, Science Club, Sports Appreciation Club, STEAM, Stock Market Club, Strategic Games Club, Student Diversity Leadership Club, TED Talk Discussion Group, Warm Up America

School Notes

  • Founded in 1880, Brimmer and May School is a coeducational day school located three miles west of Boston in historic Chestnut Hill. We offera rigorous program of academics, athletics, arts, and extracurricular activities to a diverse student body in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
  • Brimmer students begin studying French in PK and have the option of studying Mandarin and Spanish by Grade 5.
  • The 6:1 student-faculty ratio allows students and teachers to work closely and cooperatively.
  • Upper School students are guided in course selection, goal-setting, and college planning by their faculty advisor and college counselor. In addition to the college preparatory course of study, students have the opportunity to join the Honors program and may choose from electives in art, theatre, music, video production, 17 AP courses, and independent study.
  • Our Signature Diploma Programs, including Creative Arts, Global Studies, and STEAM, allow students to pursue a passion and complete independent work in a concentrated area.
  • Upper School students participate in Winterim, our signature cultural and service learning program that provides a dynamic way to connect what they are learning in the classroom to people, places, and cultures around the world.
  • Our Middle School program is focused on building skills as students take on greater independence and initiative. Students in these transitional years are guided in becoming self-motivated and self-disciplined students, equipped with the knowledge and experience they will need to meet the expectations of the Upper School. Each child's progress is carefully monitored, providing the support students need as they move from the Lower to the Middle School. Students regularly give exhibitions that demonstrate what they have learned. All students also take part in the community service program.
  • Our Lower School program provides students with an integrated curriculum that allows them to understand the relationship between all the subjects they study. The curriculum fosters independence and helps students become both learners and teachers. The school offers an After-School Music program and an Extended Day program.
  • Brimmer provides students with an environment that will stimulate them to love learning, to think deeply and analytically, to value themselves and others, and to prepare and inspire students to think and act as responsible and ethical citizens within the diverse global community. To read more about the school, visitwww.brimmer.org
  • Brimmer Summer offers Day Camp as well as specialty camps such as Gator Goals Soccer Academy, Basketball Camp, Eco Adventures, Mindstorm & Design, and STEAM Into Summer. See www.brimmer.org/summer-programsto learn more!
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What schools are Brimmer and May School often compared to?
Brimmer and May Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Beaver Country Day School by visitors of our site.
What sports does Brimmer and May School offer?
Brimmer and May School offers 9 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Curling, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
What is Brimmer and May School's ranking?
Brimmer and May School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for: Largest student body, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Brimmer and May School?
The application deadline for Brimmer and May School is Jan. 17 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 17 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (4 reviews)
5  
I went to Brimmer from around 2016 til 2021, and It was a great fit for me for a long time. it is very inclusive and welcoming, and generally a supportive space. some of the other reviews were confusing me because I had a very different experience. the first review I saw was from 2019, and, in my opinion, is very inaccurate. it questions Brimmer and May's ethics, saying they are questionable. Brimmer's core values, at least when I was there, were respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness, and equity. I felt like Brimmer did a good job instilling these values into the students and faculty. the teachers are understanding and kind (at least in my experience). Brimmer is very progressive and values diversity. the community is open and kind. the classes are small, depending on the grade. my grade was around 30 or 40 students, divided into 3 classes. in lower school, my grade was around 24 kids split into 2 classes. it's not for everyone, but Brimmer is a great community, and I value the years I spent there.
- Posted by
5  
The 5 stars only reflect that the site will not allow you to adjust the stars, you can't alter it from 5. Be very careful of this school. Grades are extraordinarily small so whether you hit a good community grade for your child or not is a wild card. Particularly dicey for girls in this sense, socially. The teachers are mostly good, but the administration is not welcoming to anything you have to say unless it is positive. The messages to the students and demands of students' character and behavior are ironically put upon them by people who do not practice what they preach. The school has a no-tolerance policy of negative messages but from the top, there are messages that can be cruel. Tuition is of the highest in the country but compares the opportunities and facilities. They spend a great deal on keeping teachers happy, which is necessary, but the kids miss out on it. Beware: The school has questionable ethics. Hit or miss, but even a hit will be mixed. Good luck.
- Posted by
5  
The school has many pros & cons. I will try to categorize them to the best of my ability.Academics:The academics were not easy. I was challenged and the supportive faculty turned me around when I started to slip during my teenage angsty years. However, they were not incredibly rigorous. It is very much a "if you do the work you need to do, you will do great." But you did not necessarily need to go above & beyond to do well. I would say the kids who didn't do well were not unable, but just didn't care to because 1. They didn't see school as valuable or 2. They didn't feel that they had to because their parents were paying full tuition... so why would B&M ever kick them out?Students:For such a small school, I met many different kinds of people. Students typically got very cliquey. While the school was mostly populated with students from white, affluent families, the school did a good job of mixing in inner city, deserving students, and international students. This could easily be covered up by the fact that the school also has a tendency to accept undeserving student-athletes who develop bad academic reputations & habits. I have witnessed unmotivated students disrupt the classroom climate and much of it is because B&M often values money over the quality of their students.Faculty: The faculty is actually very incredible, with obviously a few exceptions. A strong number of the faculty have been working there for decades (some who have just retired or moved on after I graduated). I have never seen a more devoted faculty in any other professional space, let alone academia. Now that I have gotten older, I am even more surprised as to how people can prioritize so many students before themselves and even their families, truly amazing. On a personal level, I made very strong connections with faculty members that I value to this day. There are a couple exceptions, however. Some of these long standing faculty members leverage their time and power to do what they want - almost like tenure in college (Murray). Administration: The administration is solid. Mr. Iuliano, who has made his way up in the administration rankings during my time, is one of the greatest men I have ever met. He is extremely fair, understanding, and lays his foot down appropriately when needed. Ms. Guild (Head) is kind, and during Ms. Reenstierna's farewell tour in 2012, it was clear that Guild was more than ready to take the lead. To my understanding, the school has made some major, impressive changes under her direction.Extracurriculars: The two biggest extracurriculars activities were Athletics & Drama. Fortunately, B&M provides a community & space where it is very possible to do both, which in other or bigger schools is almost unheard of. I feel that in most other schools it is either you are a jock or a theatre kid, and rarely do those people cross. At Brimmer, they encourage their students to do as much as they can to not only showcase their talent, but to allow them to mold themselves into more diversified and skilled adults. Both programs are very strong - you can tell where a lot of the money goes to - but I think both are good investments, to an extent.Overview: The school's support system is quite strong. They really do the best they can with integrating a community based environment with the students. However, that can often be tainted with some of the (I hate to say it) mistakes within their admissions. Academically, the school is not lacking, but it is not incredibly rigorous at the same time. If you feel that the student needs an intimate school experience, Brimmer & May should be a good fit.
- Posted by
5  
This school is one of the best I''v ever seen!
- Posted by

Endorse Brimmer and May School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
Endorse this school:

Recent Articles

Private School Search Tips
Private School Search Tips
We look at several ways you can use to search for private schools. Whether you are beginning the search process for a school for your child or just want to find out more about particular schools, we offer some tips and tricks to make searching more efficient.
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Discover the essential ingredients that drive academic success and cultivate a thriving school community.
All About JROTC
All About JROTC
Explore the multifaceted advantages of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs in private schools. Delve into how JROTC cultivates leadership, discipline, and citizenship skills among students, contributing to their holistic development and future success.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked MA School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 419 students
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 17 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Request Information

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Middlesex County, MA is $27,693 for elementary schools and $44,792 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Middlesex County, MA is 61% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

Related School Videos

Quick Links