As a parent researching private elementary schools in Massachusetts, I know you want to find the perfect fit for your child – a school that will nurture their intellectual curiosity, social development and unique potential.
With so many great options to choose from, selecting the right school can feel overwhelming! But having clear selection criteria tailored to your child’s needs streamlines the process.
Here are key factors I encourage parents to prioritize when evaluating Massachusetts private elementary schools:
- Student-Teacher Ratio – Small classes facilitate more individual attention.
- Academic Quality – Curriculum rigor, testing performance, teaching staff.
- School Culture – Environment, diversity, community values.
- Extracurriculars – Athletics, arts, clubs that align with your child‘s interests.
- Resources & Facilities – Libraries, technology, community spaces.
- Value & Affordability – Tuition rates & financial assistance programs.
Keep these priorities in mind as we explore the top 10 private elementary schools in Massachusetts!
Overview of Private Schools in Massachusetts
Massachusetts hosts many of the top-ranked private elementary schools in the U.S. Known for academic excellence, many private schools in Massachusetts also lead in Ivy League college acceptances year after year.
Beyond the numbers, Massachusetts private schools distinguish themselves through values-based education focused on curiosity, creativity, character development and community responsibility. Schools carefully tailor curriculum and activities to support each child’s needs across academic, social, physical and emotional domains.
Let‘s delve into the factors that make Massachusetts home to exceptional private elementary schools.
Academics & Testing Performance
The top private elementary schools prioritize small class sizes under 20 students and student-teacher ratios of 8:1 or lower. This facilitates highly personalized instruction tailored to each child‘s strengths and challenges.
For example, according to Niche rankings, Buckingam Brown & Nichols school maintains a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. The Fessenden School and Belmont Hill have even lower ratios at 6:1.
The academic rigor also shines through in testing performance. Fessenden reports average SSAT scores in the 90th percentile. BB&N notes 17% of students scored 700 or higher on the reading section of the SATs, compared to just 9% nationally.
College acceptances further demonstrate the academic preparation students receive, with BB&N graduates receiving acceptance to Harvard, Stanford and other elite universities each year.
Resources & Facilities
With greater financial resources through endowments and donations, Massachusetts private elementary schools offer exceptional facilities ranging from state-of-the-art laboratories to dedicated visual arts studios.
For example, facilities at the Newman School feature a technology lab with 3D printing along with dedicated project rooms supporting hands-on, interest-based learning. The 80-acre Belmont Hill campus spans an observatory, multimedia labs, a ceramics studio and more.
Some schools also integrate Nature into campus life. Nestled along the Charles River, Cambridge Friends connects students to the outdoors through gardening programs and forest classrooms.
Such comprehensive facilities and small classes equip students for success.
Values & Community
Many Massachusetts private schools distinguish themselves by the values and community cultivated across grades K-8. Stark statistics cannot fully capture school cultures centered around creativity, diversity, integrity and spirit.
For instance, Montrose School empowers girls through student-driven conferences focused on leadership, confidence-building and self-discovery. Trained faculty facilitate mentorship tailored to the development needs of adolescent girls.
Park School builds community through multi-age advising groups that promote student bonding. A “house system” connects lower to upper school students for peer mentorship. Cambridge Friends fosters Quaker testimonies of peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship across the curriculum and school culture.
This sense of meaningful community enriches the student experience.
The Top 10 Private Elementary Schools in Massachusetts
Now that we’ve covered the private school landscape, let’s explore the top 10 institutions that rise above the rest!
For each school, I’ll share details on academic quality, the student experience, tuition and other vital info to guide your selection process.
#1. Cambridge Friends School
Location: Cambridge, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 16 students
Annual Tuition: $36K (Pre-K) – $44.5K (Grade 8)
Cambridge Friends School tops my list for its whole-child approach delivering academic excellence alongside equally strong emphasis on values, community and social-emotional learning.
With a 6:1 student-teacher ratio and average class size of just 16, teachers provide supremely personalized instruction. The humanities-focused curriculum anchored in Quaker values develops critical thinking skills and moral character.
The tight-knit school community facilitates special bonding through multi-age student mentorship programs. Music and performing arts are exceptional. For 2022-2023, tuition runs $36K-$44.5K annually, with significant need-based financial assistance available.
#2. Belmont Hill School
Location: Belmont, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
Average Class Size: 12 students
Annual Tuition: $63,300 (with fees)
Excelling in rigorous academics, character development and well-rounded experiences for over 100 years, Belmont Hill School delivers top-tier private all-boys education.
A 7:1 student-teacher ratio enables highly customized teaching. Offering over 30 honors and 16 AP courses, Belmont Hill prepares students to thrive at elite high schools and colleges.
But academics are only part of the story. With more than 40 sports teams and over 40 clubs/activities, students actively build interests from robotics to community service. Merit scholarships and need-based aid up to $63,300 in tuition assistance support student access.
#3. Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Location: Cambridge, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 12 students
Annual Tuition: $47.5K (Pre-K) – $57.5K (Grade 12)
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (BB&N) delivers over 150 years of academic excellence pairing rigorous instruction with tight community bonds. Excellent 6:1 student-teacher ratios enable deep personalization.
The progressive curriculum encompassing arts, science and global studies prepares students for top universities like Harvard and Stanford. BB&N further distinguishes itself through 100+ sports teams and clubs ranging from coding to community initiatives.
For 2022-2023, tuition runs $47.5-$57.5K annually. Yet the school provides over $9 million in financial assistance each year to maintain economic diversity.
#4. The Park School
Location: Brookline, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Average Class Size: 16 students
Annual Tuition: $39.7K (Pre-K) – $46.1K (Grade 9)
The Park School lives its motto of “The Thoughtful School” through child-centered academics developing critical thinking and real-world application across subjects. With a 5:1 student-teacher ratio, instruction is supremely personalized.
Park School is progressive in tailoring curriculum to the developmental needs of students at each grade level. Comprehensive athletics, 100+ clubs and regular community service teach leadership. Significant financial assistance supports economic diversity.
#5. Fessenden School
Location: West Newton, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 10 students
Annual Tuition: $40,750 (Grades 4-9)
Fessenden School has delivered exceptional all-boys education for over 100 years focused on high achievement paired with character development. Rigorous academics prepare students for America’s top high schools and colleges.
Beyond the classroom, students pursue interests ranging from theater to robotics via 60+ clubs and activities. 39 sports teams compete within first-class athletic facilities. For 2022-2033, day student tuition is set at $40,750 for grades 4-9, with substantial financial assistance available.
#6. Montrose School
Location: Medfield, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Average Class Size: 12 students
Annual Tuition: $17,675 (Pre-K, Part-time) – $44,750 (Grade 8)
With 160 years dedicated to women’s education, Montrose School empowers girls through academic rigor tailored to developmental needs — building confidence, leadership skills and talents across the arts and sciences.
100% of Montrose 8th grade graduates earned acceptance to their top high school choice in 2022, demonstrating the academic preparation received. The tight-knit community facilitates lasting friendships and interests spanning coding to drama. 2022-2023 tuition ranges $17,675-$44,750 annually.
#7. Dana Hall School
Location: Wellesley, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 12 students
Annual Tuition: $52,050 (Middle School) – $54,180 (Upper School)
Dana Hall School has empowered women through academic excellence paired with leadership development for over 130 years. Top colleges year-after-year demonstrate the academic rigor.
But education extends beyond the classroom via performing arts, competitive athletics and community initiatives. Payscale ranked Dana Hall top 15 nationally for alumni salaries — proof of the career preparation students receive. Tuition runs $52-$54K annually with significant financial assistance available.
#8. The Newman School
Location: Boston, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Average Class Size: 16 students
Annual Tuition: $34,500 (Grade 1) – $37,500 (Grade 8)
The Newman School takes a creative approach to education tailored around how each child learns best. With multi-age classrooms, students also benefit from peer mentorship.
Newman School excels in hands-on STEAM education empowering students to direct their learning through projects. With 180 students total, teachers, students and parents unite as one supportive community. Tuition runs approximately $35K-$38K annually for grades 1-8.
#9. Waldorf School of Cape Cod
Location: Cotuit, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Average Class Size: 16 students
Annual Tuition: $7,900 (Half-Day Nursery) – $23,300 (Grade 8)
Waldorf School of Cape Cod delivers creative, hands-on education focused on nurturing the whole child — head, heart and hands. The arts-infused curriculum centered around imagination and nature sparks intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.
As a smaller school of 140 students in a bucolic Cape Cod setting, Waldorf fosters warm community bonds between students and teachers. Half-day nursery tuition starts at $7,900, ranging to $23,300 for 8th grade. Need-based assistance is available.
#10. Dexter Southfield
Location: Brookline, MA
Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Average Class Size: 10 students
Annual Tuition: $18,900 (Half-Day Nursery) – $57,500 (Grade 12)
Rounding out the top schools, Dexter Southfield takes a child-centric approach tailored to nurturing strengths and interests across arts, athletics and academics. The 5:1 student-teacher ratio facilitates deep personalization.
A project-based curriculum grounded in real-world connections develops critical thinking and prepares students for top colleges. With 10 students per class on average, students receive supremely individualized teaching and mentoring. Tuition ranges $18,900-$57,500 annually for nursery through 12th grade.
Final Thoughts on Finding the Right School
I hope mapping the top-rated private elementary schools equips you to narrow your search process, align with priorities for your child and identify schools worth visiting.
Academic rigor, personalized teaching and programming matter tremendously. But the culture and community “feel” remain vital. Schedule school tours and classroom observation to get first-hand experience.
Speak with administrators about financial assistance opportunities as well, even if tuition initially seems challenging. Many schools provide merit awards and needs-based aid to qualify families.
Based on rankings and well-rounded excellence across all factors, I recommend Cambridge Friends School as the #1 private elementary school in Massachusetts. However, take time to explore all options, as the right fit depends on your child’s needs and interests.
I wish you the very best as you take this important step supporting your child’s education and future success! Please reach out if any other guidance around Massachusetts private elementary schools would be helpful.