125

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125 Photo #1 - Center School students are immersed in rigor and play in balanced abundance. This 3rd/4th grade is heading out to their "Woods Spot"--a location in the adjacent conservation area where the class spends time most afternoons. Woods spots become a nexus of social and academic learning, where commerce, governance, and community emerge organically.
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125 Photo #1 - Center School students are immersed in rigor and play in balanced abundance. This 3rd/4th grade is heading out to their "Woods Spot"--a location in the adjacent conservation area where the class spends time most afternoons. Woods spots become a nexus of social and academic learning, where commerce, governance, and community emerge organically.
125 Photo #2 - 4th & 5th grade students read in the classroom loft. The day's schedule includes small group work, collaboration, project exploration and experiential, inquiry-based learning. It also includes quiet, individual time for students to regroup and refresh.
125 Photo #3 - 3rd grade students collaborate on an assignment. Small group, experiential project work is a primary focus at the Center School. However core academics---reading, writing and math are typically taught in groups of 5-9 students.
125 Photo #4 - A preschool class acts out their favorite story at the weekly All School gathering. Two preschool classrooms---one for older and one for youngers allow for a great deal of play, growth, experimenting, socializing and learning.
125 Photo #5 - 6th grade teacher, Jenn, is photobombed by her students. Mutual respect, warmth, a playful approach & clear, rigorous expectations form the foundation our student-teacher connection.
125 Photo #6 - Margaret and her third graders play tag. Students & teachers play together at the Center School. All students have 60 minutes of outside time a day. Structured games are balanced with free exploration time, especially in the large forest that borders the school.
125 Photo #7 - Two 4th grade students work on measurement together in math. The Center School recognizes that there are many different learning styles represented in a classroom of children. The teachers are experts at helping each child develop their best strengths & challenges through multi-modal approaches.
125 Photo #8 - Students share, problem solve and laugh a lot during the weekly All School gathering. Each week, students facilitate the All School gathering. There is often a theme, which may include opportunities to costume or participate in a school-wide game show. Classes share academic work and the school always sings together.
125 Photo #9 - Older & younger students play together on Fridays at All School Games time. The Center School recognizes the advantages of having a wide range of students learning through similar, progressive approaches. Middle schoolers are paired with a preschool or primary age student for work & play throughout the year.
125 Photo #10 - A 6th grader shows his math fair project. At the Center School, teachers recognize that all students benefit from many choices to make curriculum accessible, vibrant & challenging for almost any kind of learner.
Rigorous Education for Deep Thinkers and Creative Spirits. The Center School is a loving community that celebrates each child`s unique personality, intelligence, and passion.
Our school is a responsive learning environment, offering rigor and play in balanced abundance.
Students emerge from our program with the skills and self-possession to be reflective, empathetic, and engaged citizens of our world. Preschool through 8th grade, since 1981.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 138 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $16,000
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 18 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 15 / Sep. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
Year Founded
1981

Student Body

Total Students
138 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade
125 Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
85%
Average Class Size
18 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 15 / Sep. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Preschool tuition on different scale, depending on 3, 4 or 5 day enrollment: $6,615 to $11,025. Tuition differential for K-5th and 6-8th. Financial aid available for K-8th grades
% on Financial Aid
60%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,000
Acceptance Rate
85%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Jane Stephenson

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
2 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
Middle School Choir

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Middle School Soccer Team

School Notes

The Center School is a loving community that celebrates each child`s unique personality, intelligence, and passion. Our school is a responsive learning environment, offering rigor and play in balanced abundance. Students emerge from our program with the skills and self-possession to be reflective, empathetic, and engaged citizens of our world.

The Center School:
  • Embraces the natural diversity of learning styles and integrates academic, social, emotional, physical, and artistic learning.
  • Collaborates with students to co-construct knowledge through exciting and open-ended processes.
  • Encourages children and adults to form a vision of social justice of equitable, compassionate communities through active participation in their classroom, their school, and beyond.
  • Invites students to approach every project and subject area with curiosity, critical thinking and a spirit of inquiry.
  • Fosters a culture of connection and collaboration in which children feel truly known, valued, and motivated to learn and grow.
  • Multi-aged classrooms, ages 2-8th grade
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does 125 cost?
125's tuition is approximately $16,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of 125?
The acceptance rate of 125 is 85%, which is higher than the national average of 70%.
What sports does 125 offer?
125 offers 8 interscholastic sports: Climbing, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Swimming and Ultimate Frisbee.
When is the application deadline for 125?
The application deadline for 125 is Feb. 15 / Sep. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 15 / Sep. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (2 reviews)
5  
The Center School has been the most supportive possible environment for my kids (grades 5th and 7th.) They both started in kindergarten and have been understood, challenged and expanded in every subsequent year. The staff is incredibly warm and talented and the structure of the school, the community and the ethos all combine in what often feels like "dream come true" education. My kids are both in the car before I am, waiting impatiently to go to school every morning. They fake "wellness" when they are sick, so they don't have to miss school! I cannot imagine a more idea environment for children and families
- Posted by
5  
The Greenfield Center School was in instrumental component in my development as a young child and adolescent. The teachers that work at GCS are caring, thoughtful, creative and dedicated to their children and the mission of the school. I laugh to myself as I now teach in a school which uses the Responsive Classroom model (homegrown by GCS and it's staff in the '80s). I am very lucky to have grown up surrounded by such wonderful role models and l try to share some of the magic from GCS in my work with children as a teacher of K-1 students in Brookline, MA.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 138 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $16,000
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 18 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 15 / Sep. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average acceptance rate in Franklin County, MA is 48% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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