The Chestnut Hill School vs. Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Should I attend The Chestnut Hill School or Buckingham Browne & Nichols School? Visitors of our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare the two schools' rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
Top Rankings
The Chestnut Hill School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
School History
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
Overview
The Chestnut Hill School, a all gender day school located in a residential section of Newton, encompasses a preschool program for ages 3-4, an all-day Kindergarten, and Grades 1 to 6.
Two hundred thirty children are enrolled, with two sections at each grade level.
Because of the comparatively small size and the favorable student-teacher ratio, The Chestnut Hill School is able to offer a rigorous academic program that embraces diversity and promotes community.
Special subjects include art, technology, music, physical education, science, and Spanish.
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is an independent, co-educational day school of 1000 students in Cambridge, Massachusetts, educating bright and engaged students from pre-kindergarten (called Beginners) through twelfth grade.
BB&N was founded in 1974 from the merger of two schools, Browne & Nichols School and the Buckingham School. The School occupies four campuses; a Lower School on Buckingham Street, a Middle School on Sparks Street, an Upper School on Gerry`s Landing Road, and an office building on Belmont Street.
BB&N provides a broad and challenging academic program along with opportunities for personal growth outside the classroom.
The working relationships between students and faculty are based on trust and mutual respect, and are enhanced by open and frank communication.
Certain personal qualities are particularly appropriate at BB&N: strong verbal skills, a commitment to intellectual pursuits, a capacity to think and act independently, a well-directed use of abilities and talents, a genuine interest in diverse types of people, and a desire to contribute to the school community.
The School has produced three of the 27 Presidential Scholars from Massachusetts since the inception of the program in 1964 and is a member of the G20 Schools group and the Round Square global education association. BB&N includes six Rhodes Scholars among its graduates.
Grades Offered
NS-6
PK-12
Blue Ribbon School
No
No
Offers Post-Graduate Year
No
No
Learning Difference Programs
No
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
n/a
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1860
1974
Students Body
Total Students
237 students
1022 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
% Students of Color
51%
48%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Nursery Students
21
-
Pre-K Students
22
32
Kindergarten Students
24
40
Grade 1 Students
32
40
Grade 2 Students
32
40
Grade 3 Students
32
40
Grade 4 Students
33
40
Grade 5 Students
20
40
Grade 6 Students
21
60
Grade 7 Students
-
80
Grade 8 Students
-
90
Grade 9 Students
-
130
Grade 10 Students
-
130
Grade 11 Students
-
130
Grade 12 Students
-
130
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
47 teachers
156 teachers
% Faculty with Advance Degree
67%
58%
Average Class Size
15
15
Number of AP Classes
n/a
19
Teacher : Student Ratio
1:5
1:7
Average SAT score
n/a
1400
Average ACT score
n/a
31
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline
Jan. 16
Jan. 10
Tuition Notes
Tuition varies from $28,700 to $45,600 by grade. Financial aid is available.
Tuition for 2023-2024
Beginners to Grade 3 – $42,600
Grades 4 and 5 – $47,300
Grade 6 – $58,300
Grades 7 to 12 – $60,650
% on Financial Aid
29%
27%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$22,000
$44,000
Acceptance Rate
45%
n/a
Admissions Director
Elisa Lynd Lellios
Jorge Delgado
Admissions Associate
n/a
Amy Pratt
Sports
Total Sports Offered
4
18
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
6
75
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Chess Club, Early Morning Program, Extended Day Program, Friends in Our Community Service Program, Math Olympiads, The Chestnut Hill School for Music
Activism Club, Affinity Lunch, Affinity Lunch. MS: Science Club, Animal Rights Club, Arabic Club, Art for Social Change, Asian American Student Association, BB&N Yearbook: Perspective, BeeBee&N Beekeeping Club, Best Buddies, Boston COVID-Tutoring Club, BSAE (Brothers Seeking Academic Excellance), Chamber Music, CHASM (Current Happenings Across STEM), Chess Club, Chinese Club, Chorus, Christian Club, Comedy Club, Community Council, Community Engagement Leadership Board (CELB), Community Service, Competitive Porfolio Team (CPT), Composition Club, Computer Science Club, Creative Writing Club, Drama Club, EcoReps, EMPOWER, Entrepreneurship Club, FemCo, Film Club, French Club, GAINS (Girls Advancing in STEM), GSA, History Club, International & Humanitarian Business Club, Investment Club, Jazz Band, Jewish Cultural Club Knights Section, Latin Club, Literary Group, Literature Club, LS Chess club, LS Orchestra, Math Club, Medical Club, MIND Club, Model UN Music Club, One World club, Outdoor Recreation, Ping Pong Club, Players (Improv group, Point of View (political opinion magazine), Protect Our Breasts Puzzle Club, Quiz Bowl, Robotics Club, Rocketry Club, Round Square Committee, Rugby Club, Russian Club, Scrabble Club, SHADES (Students Honoring and Accepting Differences and Embracing Similarities), Society Spanish Club, Spark newspaper, Speech & Debate, Spikeball Club, Student Tour Guides, Surf Club, The Benchwarmer, The Spectator (art and literary magazine), The Squire, The Vanguard (School newspaper), Ultimate Frisbee Club, W.I.N.S. (Women in National Security)