Building Block Commons serves 45 students in grades Kindergarten-8, is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The student:teacher of Building Block Commons is 5:1 and the school's religious affiliation is Nonsectarian.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked NH School
- Grades: Kindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 45 students
- Yearly Tuition: $7,500
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Building Block Commons ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Summer School Offered
Yes
Student Body
Total Students
45 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
7%
State avg.: 17%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
9 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Paid in three lump sums over the course of the year
Summer Program Cost
$175
Summer Program Cost Notes
$175 2 days a week for 2 weeks
Acceptance Rate
30%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Wren Hayes
Admissions Associate
David Hayes
Endowment Size
$1.2 million
School Notes
- Curriculum
- Theschool will carefully curate a cohort of 15-18 students who will be supported by 3 teachers throughout the school year as they use Project-Based Learning to explore the 6 Cs:
- CollaborationCommunicationContentCritical ThinkingCreative InnovationConfidence(As outlined in Becoming Brilliant by Kathy Hirsch-Pasek & Roberta Michnick Golinkoff)Within each of these 6 competencies are clusters of standards that are determined by the staff for each emergent project. The standards may reflect Common Core State Standards, local NH school district standards, as well as standards developed within the classroom community.These competencies are explored in three physical spaces within the school: Socratic Space, Tinker Lab, and Outdoor Classroom. Of course, learning does not only occur at school, and parents are welcome to add to the child`s digital portfolio at any time!What tools will be used to support the mastery of these competencies?The staff's training on Project Based Learning (PBL) comes from the Buck Institute for Education (BIE), the "gold standard" in PBL. One great challenge to this kind of self-reflection work is that students don't often practice thinking critically about these competencies. Metacognition, or "thinking about thinking" needs to be taught and frequently practiced. We will help students practice these skills by doing structured protocols from Visible Thinking Routines in the classroom (Harvard Project Zero). The teachers will be trained to initiate these routines throughout the day in order to encourage higher-order thinking skills during real-life conversation among peers. Combining these protocols, conversations with students, teacher-created rubrics and real-time, authentic portfolios, a child's progress is able to be monitored and supported.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Building Block Commons cost?
Building Block Commons's tuition is approximately $7,500 for private students and $175 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of Building Block Commons?
The acceptance rate of Building Block Commons is 30%, which is lower than the national average of 73%. Building Block Commons's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in New Hampshire with low acceptance rates.
What is Building Block Commons's ranking?
Building Block Commons ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for: Lowest average acceptance rates.
When is the application deadline for Building Block Commons?
The application deadline for Building Block Commons is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
Endorse Building Block Commons. 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
Recent Articles
A Parent's Guide To Understanding High School Teaching Methods
This comprehensive guide helps parents navigate the various teaching methods used in today's high school classrooms. By understanding these approaches, you'll be better equipped to support your teen's learning journey, communicate effectively with teachers, and create a complementary learning environment at home.
February 08, 2025
Social Emotional Learning: Education's Hidden SymphonyA musician's perspective on Social Emotional Learning reveals how this educational framework orchestrates success through five essential emotional competencies.
January 24, 2025
A Roadmap For Starting A Private SchoolUse this roadmap as a set of talking points with your trusted mentors and professionals to start the private school of your dreams. You're not alone. Over the years, hundreds of folks like you have had the same dream. From Quintilian to Maria Montessori to Lucy Madeira Wing, visionary educators have established schools to teach according to their beliefs and methodologies.
