Lesley Ellis School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked MA School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
Enrollment: 251 students
Yearly Tuition: $26,765
Acceptance rate: 90%
Average class size: 18 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Lesley Ellis School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-8

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Lesley Ellis School
Nursery	25
Pre-K	46
Kind	20
1	20
2	20
3	20
4	20
5	20
6	20
7	20
8	20

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Year Founded

1886

Summer School Offered

Yes

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

The journey is as important as the destination

Student Body

Total Students

251 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

22%

State avg.: 31%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

42 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

90%

Average Class Size

18 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$26,765

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Early Childhood Tuition starting at $10,701 depending on individual schedule.

% on Financial Aid

25%

Acceptance Rate

90%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Tricia Moran

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

3 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

Soccer

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

2 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Middle School Clubs

Arts and Music Programs:

Arts Block and Arts Apprenticeship

School Notes

Lesley Ellis serves children in Preschool (2.9) to Grade 8 in a welcoming, diverse independent school community.
Lesley Ellis offers outstanding, innovative academic programs for Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School students which emphasize critical thinking.
We value what makes our children unique, and we encourage them to apply their own talents and passions to their learning.
Our community is centered on the values of mutual respect and global citizenship.
Lesley Ellis School prepares accomplished, inquisitive and inspired learners by providing a challenging, student-centered, and anti-bias curriculum within a tightly connected community.

Accreditations: Lesley Ellis is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England and the National Association of Independent Schools.
Philosophy: Independent elementary/middle school. Individualized, developmental teaching practice with strong academics and an award-winning anti-bias curriculum
Teachers: 43 teachers; most have advanced degrees; 90 percent have 5 or more years of experience. Several teachers are affiliated with graduate schools of education.
Specialists: Music, reading, Spanish, library, physical education, art, theater
Features: Experiential learning incorporating regular field trips. Multi-age classrooms in elementary and middle school programs. Spanish beginning in Preschool. Music, physical education and middle school athletics. Early drop-off available at 8:00 a.m. Afterschool program until 5:30 p.m. Vacation program. Summer program.
Hometowns: Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Somerville, Watertown, Winchester, and surrounding areas.
Resources: Large, sunlit classrooms, art studio, library, makerspace, music classroom, Spanish classroom, gymnasium for sports, special events and performances. Two outside playgrounds, an Outdoor Classroom, tennis courts, basketball court, playing fields. Computer lab; extensive children's library collection. Regular use of community and greater Boston resources.
Application deadline is January 15. Rolling admission is available after that date as spaces remain.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Lesley Ellis School cost?

Lesley Ellis School's tuition is approximately $26,765 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Lesley Ellis School?

The acceptance rate of Lesley Ellis School is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 71%.

What sports does Lesley Ellis School offer?

Lesley Ellis School offers 3 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country and Soccer.

What is Lesley Ellis School's ranking?

Lesley Ellis School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Lesley Ellis School?

The application deadline for Lesley Ellis School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (4 reviews)

5 1/24/2020

We have been at Lesley Ellis School for two full years now (my oldest transferred from a public school in the middle of 1st grade). We have just been so incredibly impressed with our children's school experience at LES (our younger two started in preschool and kindergarten this year). The focus on social-emotional learning has been amazing for all three of my kids, as well as the hands-on learning and balanced curriculum that allows them to explore many interests. We love the outdoor time (4x as much recess time as there was in our previous school) as well as an outdoor classroom and walks around the neighborhood that mesh with the learning to go on inside the building). The school is really a thought-leader in anti-bias education as well, something our family thinks is so critical in the 21st century — we love how the teachers delve into important issues in age-appropriate ways.

- Posted by Parent - Mira

5 1/1/2020

What a wonderful school. The middle school experience is paradise. Or child has grown so much here, intellectually and personally.

- Posted by Parent - Grreapsphos

5 5/18/2013

We have had a wonderful experience at Lesley Ellis. The teachers and administrators are so talented and caring. It is a great group of parents accomplished in the arts and non profit institutions. Small classes, lots of enrichment offerings. Highly recommended.

- Posted by Parent - calbe

5 12/11/2012

Our family has been so happy at Lesley Ellis. The faculty are dedicated, talented and really know the children as individuals. The innovative curriculum is challenging yet fun and the students are being well prepared to be life-long learners and responsible, caring members of society.

- Posted by Parent - lisa.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Middlesex County, MA is $29,039 for elementary schools and $49,609 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).