Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center Photo

Best Boston Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 private schools serving 3,525 students in Boston, MA (there are 12 public schools, serving 8,185 public students). 30% of all K-12 students in Boston, MA are educated in private schools (compared to the MA state average of 12%).
The top-ranked private schools in Boston, MA include Commonwealth School, Boston University Academy, and Winsor School.
The average tuition cost is $35,319, which is higher than the Massachusetts private school average tuition cost of $26,485.
22% of private schools in Boston, MA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Jewish).

Top-Ranked Boston Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Commonwealth School
Commonwealth School Photo - Two blocks from Copley Square, nestled in a pair of brownstones in Boston's Back Bay, the feeling of family persists at Commonwealth, and its location gives students unparalleled access to Boston's resources, fostering meaningful scholarly research, independent projects, and community service.
(1)
151 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-7525
Gr: 9-12 | 158 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 33 Tuition listed
Kingsley Montessori School
Kingsley Montessori School Photo - Elementary students exploring a geography work. A key component of the Kingsley mission is raising empathetic global citizens-students who care deeply for the world and work together to improve it.
Montessori School
(3)
26 Exeter Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 226-4927
Gr: NS-6 | 301 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 14 Tuition listed
The Newman School
The Newman School Photo
(4)
247 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Advent School
The Advent School Photo - The Advent School has many beloved annual traditions, such as the Monarch Butterfly Parade, Spanish Week, the Book Fair, and the Spring Musical.
Alternative School
(1)
15 Brimmer Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 742-0520
Gr: NS-6 | 139 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition listed
Boston University Academy
Boston University Academy Photo - Boston University Academy provides a "ceilingless" educational experience, one in which students' zeal for learning takes them as far as they are capable.
Special Program Emphasis
(1)
One University Road
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-9000
Gr: 9-12 | 233 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition listed
Cathedral High School
Cathedral High School Photo - Cathedral 7-12 High School students are challenged by a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and enriched through a selection of extracurricular activities, athletics, and support services.
(Catholic)
74 Union Park St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 542-2325
Gr: 7-12 | 287 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Cooper Community Child Development Center
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
1891 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 445-1813
Gr: K | 16 students
1525 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(857) 990-6525
Gr: NS-2 | 131 students Avg. class size: 16 students Tuition listed
German International School Boston
German International School Boston Photo
Special Program Emphasis
(5)
57 Holton Street
Boston, MA 02134
(617) 783-2600
Gr: PK-12 | 263 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
107 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-8427
Gr: K-6 | 118 students Avg. class size: 18 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Winsor School
Winsor School Photo
All-girls
103 Pilgrim Road
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 735-9503
Gr: 5-12 | 471 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Beacon Hill Nursery School
Daycare / Preschool
74 Joy St
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 227-0822
Gr: PK-K | 105 students Tuition listed
Boston Children's School
Boston Children's School Photo
Daycare / Preschool
(1)
8 Whittier Place
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 367-6239
Gr: PK-3 | 31 students Avg. class size: 8 students Acceptance rate listed
Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center
Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center Photo
Daycare / Preschool (Jewish)
477 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 739-6455
Gr: NS-K | 80 students Avg. class size: 18 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
John Winthrop School
Daycare / Preschool
66 Marlborough St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-7159
Gr: NS-PK | 54 students Avg. class size: 13 students Tuition listed
Mercantile KinderCare
Mercantile KinderCare Photo - Building
Daycare / Preschool
117 Atlantic Ave.
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 248-9775
Gr: NS-PK
The Newman School
247 Marlborough St
Boston, MA 02116
(603) 381-2003
Gr: 7-12 | 235 students
Park Street School
Park Street School Photo - Toddler friends learn about habitats with an ant farm. Exploring and learning are are a fun part of our day. This foundation in science will be built upon over multiple years creating important background knowledge necessary for future learning.
(10)
67 Brimmer St
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 523-7577
Gr: NS-6 | 228 students Avg. class size: 13 students Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition listed
St. John School
(Catholic)
9 Moon St
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 227-3143
Gr: PK-8 | 220 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
School Street KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
44 School St
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-0554
Gr: NS-PK
Seaport KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
130 Autumn Lane
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 345-5453
Gr: NS-PK
Torit Montessori School
Torit Montessori School Photo - Torit Montessori Preschool Math Concepts
Montessori School
(2)
300 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
(857) 350-4840
Gr: NS-6 | 133 students Tuition listed
Transportation Children's Center
Daycare / Preschool
10 Park Plaza Room 3330
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 973-8200
Gr: NS | 64 students Tuition listed

Overview

This Town (Boston)
This State (MA)
# Schools
23 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
3,525 Students
127,049 Students
% Average Students of Color
34%
31%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
552 Teachers
15,733 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
8:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
77%
67%
Average Class Size
14 students
14 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
16 courses
Average SAT score
1411
(Out of 1600)
1289
Average ACT score
31
(Out of 36)
29

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$35,319
$26,485
Average Summer Program Cost
$805
$2,893
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
36%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$30,264
$17,137
Average Acceptance Rate
67%
71%
Average Endowment Size
$11.87 million
$83.44 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.69
0.63
# American Indian Students
7 Students
187 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
226 Students
6,793 Students
% Asian Students
7%
5%
# Hispanic Students
158 Students
7,583 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
6%
# Black Students
410 Students
8,704 Students
% Black Students
12%
7%
# White Students
1,433 Students
67,962 Students
% White Students
43%
55%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
83 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,099 Students
33,443 Students
% of Others Students
33%
27%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
17 extracurriculars
13 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
10 sports
9 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Boston, MA?
The top-ranked private schools in Boston, MA include Commonwealth School, Boston University Academy, and Winsor School.
How many private schools are located in Boston?
23 private schools are located in Boston.
How much do private schools cost in Boston?
The average tuition cost is $35,319, which is higher than the Massachusetts private school average tuition cost of $26,485.
How diverse are private schools in Boston?
Boston private schools are approximately 34% minority students, which is higher than the Massachusetts private school average of 31%.
What percentage of students in Boston go to private school?
30% of all K-12 students in Boston are educated in private schools (compared to the MA state average of 12%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Boston?
22% of private schools in Boston are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Jewish).
Which private schools in Boston are often viewed compared to one another?

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