St. Pauls Choir School

St. Paul`s Choir`s School is an academically excellent, highly selective, Catholic Day School for boys grades 3-8 in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Founded in 1963, St. Paul's is the only Catholic boys' choir school in the United States.
The Choir tours, records, and broadcasts frequently, and the boys develop great personal confidence through frequent performance.
Collaborations have included performances with groups such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, and Harvard Glee Club.
International and national tours have included performances and sung Masses at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico City), the Frauenkirche and Heilig Geist (Munich, Germany), Koln Cathedral (Germany), Salzburg Cathedral (Austria), Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, D.C.), and the Vatican.
Boys graduate to attend prestigious high schools including BC High, Xaverian Brothers High School, Roxbury Latin, Catholic Memorial, Philips Andover, Boston Latin, and Boston University Academy.
A number of past students are also graduates of Harvard and Yale Universities.
Admission to St. Paul's Choir School is by audition.
For more information, please contact Patrick Moran, Director of Admissions, at pmoran@saintpaulschoirschool.us or 617-868-8658.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: 3-8
  • Enrollment: 42 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $19,600
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 28 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

St. Pauls Choir School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Student Body

Total Students
42 students
Student Body Type
% Students of Color
59%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade
St. Pauls Choir School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
80%
Average Class Size
10 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Students wear khaki pants, black shoes, black belt, white buttoned-down shirt, and school tie, or school polo

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 28 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Applications for financial aid are welcome. Yearly, we award $250,000 in tuition reductions!
Summer Program Cost
$575
Summer Program Cost Notes
Scholarships are available for the summer program. There is also a current family discount of $200.
% on Financial Aid
80%
Acceptance Rate
70%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Patrick Moran
Admissions Associate
Caroline Ortiz

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
5 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Frassati Society, Stock Market Club, Study Hall

Arts and Music Programs:
Chorister Rehearsal, Evening Vespers

School Notes

  • St. Paul`s Choir`s School is an academically excellent, highly selective, Catholic Day School for boys grades 4-8 in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Founded in 1963, St. Paul's is the only Catholic boys' choir school in the United States, modeled on the European tradition of `Choir Schools`.
  • The Choir tours, records, and broadcasts frequently, and the boys develop great personal confidence through frequent performance.
  • Recent collaborations have included performances with groups such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, and Harvard Glee Club.
  • The Choir has also performed for audiences in Washington, DC, New York City, and the Vatican.
  • Boys graduate to attend prestigious high schools including BC High, Roxbury Latin, Philips Andover, Boston Latin, and Rivers Academy.
  • A number of past students are also graduates of Harvard and Yale Universities.
  • Admission to St. Paul's Choir School is by audition.
  • For more information, please contact Patrick Moran, Director of Admissions, at pmoran@saintpaulschoirschool.us or 617-868-8658.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Mr. Leo Abbot '64 - Current organist and former Music Director and Organist of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston https://www.najihakim.com/links/musicians/leo-abbott/
    • Dr. Basil Considine '94 - An expert in French opera of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Recently named one of the "Movers and Shapers" by Musical America and a Fullbright Academic Scholar https://basilconsidine.org/about/
    • Mr. William Endicott '08 - Music Director at Holy Name Parish in West Roxbury https://holynameparish.com/music-ministry
    • Mr. Alexander Pattavina '10 - Associate Organist and Choirmaster at Saint Bart's in Manhattan and winner of the 2019 Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival https://stbarts.org/music/music-at-st-bartholomews-church/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkpcQhyaNO4
    • Mr. Paul Sullivan '69 - Alumnus and Grammy-Award winner https://rivermusic.com/grammy-award/
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does St. Pauls Choir School cost?
St. Pauls Choir School's tuition is approximately $19,600 for private students and $575 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of St. Pauls Choir School?
The acceptance rate of St. Pauls Choir School is 70%, which is equal to the national average of 70%.
Who are famous alumni from St. Pauls Choir School?
St. Pauls Choir School famous alumni include: Mr. Leo Abbot '64, Dr. Basil Considine '94, Mr. William Endicott '08, Mr. Alexander Pattavina '10 and Mr. Paul Sullivan '69.
Does St. Pauls Choir School offer a summer program?
Yes, St. Pauls Choir School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
When is the application deadline for St. Pauls Choir School?
The application deadline for St. Pauls Choir School is Feb. 28 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 28 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
What neighborhood is St. Pauls Choir School located?
St. Pauls Choir School is located in the Riverside neighborhood of Cambridge, MA.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (10 reviews)
5  
The school is amazing, the staff is awesome! My son learns so much from school!
- Posted by
5  
SPCS is synonymous with excellence wherever it is analyzed. Catholic values, outstanding academic and musical education, small classes, and strong relationships. As my son says, SPCS is a big family. He's very happy!
- Posted by
5  
Our son has been at St. Paul`s for two years. He has been happy and engaged since the first day and has made great academic progress. The classes are small, allowing for almost individualized instruction. Being all-boys allows the faculty to tailor the curriculum to boys` learning styles. The music is not just about the music. It is a vehicle for stretching their brains, for learning how to collaborate, for developing time management skills, and for experiencing the pride that comes with authentic achievement. I should note that St. Paul`s requires a significant time commitment from the boys and from families. That is all by design-- the boys get so much out of being a Chorister because they put so much into it. We are neither Catholic nor particularly musical but have never second-guessed our decision to send our son to St. Paul`s. It has strong academics and a close community with many wonderful traditions. Our son is thriving there!
- Posted by
5  
Our son joined St. Paul's Choir School (SPCS) in the middle of 3rd grade and as much as we loved our public school, we have not regretted our decision to go to St. Paul's. Our son likes the fact that SPCS is an all-boys school. He sings, plays the piano, studies hard, and best of all loves going to school. We could not have asked for a more welcoming and diverse community!
- Posted by
5  
I have taught here for nine years, and I love what this school does for middle schoolers. The grades 5-8 choral rehearsals do such a wonderful job of leveling the social playing field. Boys respond to and support one another's talents and progress. As a teacher, too, the small classrooms are quite the gift. There is always enough "air time" for each student to speak and plenty of opportunities to differentiate for each of our learners.
- Posted by
5  
SPCS is part of our son's life since 5th grade. This is a great school that supports his skills from academics, music, social-emotional, faith, faith, service, all aspects of his life as a person. We could not be happier with the experience he is having there.
- Posted by
5  
We joined SPCS when my son was entering 7th grade and he made impressive progress in the small, in-person classes when many schools were still teaching remotely. I love that they read primary texts in social studies, practice public speaking in rhetoric, and go deep into music theory. The curriculum is rigorous, but the encouragement of the teachers has meant that my son's confidence has grown immensely in his time there.
- Posted by
5  
Our son is receiving an excellent education at Saint Paul`s. The school offers a unique and rigorous academic, musical, and religious education along with small class sizes, nurturing teachers, and a wonderful community. A must-see the school!
- Posted by
5  
I can't say enough wonderful things about this school. The music education is exceptional (plus all the benefits that come with being part of choir-like teamwork and presence). The fact that it's a boy's school also means they really teach to boys - lots of breaks and activity, and fast-paced, but also focused on character formation and developing them into kind and compassionate young men. The small classes and excellent faculty offer a rigorous education. Since fall 2020 the school has been full-time in person and taken great care to operate safely during COVID.
- Posted by
5  
The school is on the rise. This school offers the musical opportunity of a lifetime. Academically, it's getting a lot better. All in all, I''d highly recommend this school.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: 3-8
  • Enrollment: 42 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $19,600
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 10 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 28 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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The average private school tuition in Cambridge, MA is $26,140 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

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