Perennially recognized as one of the region's premier independent high schools, Commonwealth feels something like a college and something like a home.
Challenged by thought-provoking curriculum, supported by outstanding faculty, and inspired by our generous community hailing from diverse backgrounds, Commonwealth students share the excitement of inquiry and graduate poised to succeed at the best colleges and beyond.
to see why Commonwealth is right for you..
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked MA School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 164 students
- Yearly Tuition: $62,780
- Average class size: 9 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Commonwealth School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
SAT Score
Diversity
Extracurriculars
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Year Founded
1957
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
First Day of School
Wed. Sep 2, 2026
Last Day of School
Wed. Jun 9, 2027
Student Body
Total Students
164 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
62%
State avg.: 31%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
42 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
89%
Average Class Size
9 students
Number of AP/Advanced Courses
16 courses
List of Courses Offered
AP/Advanced Courses
BiologyCalculus 1
Calculus 1 AdvancedCalculus 2
ChemistryComputer Science
EconomicsEnglish
FrenchLatin
Modern European HistoryMultivariable Calculus
Music TheoryPhysics 1
Physics 2Spanish
StatisticsTheoretical Calculus
United States History
Average SAT score
1472
(Out of 1600)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 15
Yearly Tuition Cost
$62,780
Tuition Notes
If cost is a concern, know that Commonwealth was founded with accessibility in mind, and we extend more than $2.1 million in financial aid to families every year. We also ensure every student can access every opportunity Commonwealth has to offer, including transportation, technology, and travel. We view financial aid as a partnership, and we welcome conversations with families about affording a Commonwealth education.
Average Financial Aid Grant
$46,884
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Admissions Director
Carrie Healy
Admissions Associate
Natasha Matthews
Application URL
Endowment Size
$21.6 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
9 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
45 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Asian Pacific Peoples Affinity Group (APPA)Chess Team
Coding ClubCommonwealth Cares (community service)
COMMunity (social event planning)Cooking Club
Debate TeamDrawing and Animation Club
Dungeons and Dragons ClubEngineering Club
Environmental ClubEvil Genius Club
F1 ClubFAM (Black/African American Affinity Group)
Film ClubFLI Group
Football ClubFrench Club
Game ClubGender-Sexuality Alliance
Go ClubHistory Club
Investment ClubKFC (Krochet for Community)
Knitting CultLatino Affinity Group
Literary Magazine (Helicon)Math Team
MENACE ClubModel Congress
Model UNNewspaper
Philosophy ClubPolitics Club
Quiz BowlRobotics Club
Science TeamSCREAM Club
Speech ClubThe Leek (satire magazine)
Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Jazz EnsembleOrchestra
Recreational Athletic Programs:
FitnessYoga
School Notes
- School Mascot: Mermaid
- Commonwealth School is a private co-ed high school for grades 912 dedicated to adventurous intellectual and artistic exploration, a place where creativity and individuality flourish. Commonwealth students take full advantage of Boston's resources to pursue scholarly research, independent projects, and community service. Commonwealth`s academic curriculum is rooted in rigorous analysis, focused attention, discussion, and inquiry.
- Faculty work closely with students to explore their personal interests, develop problem-solving skills, and boost their confidence. Examples of college-level electives include Multivariable Calculus, Axiomatic Set Theory, Advanced Topics in Neuroscience, and Shakespeare and the Fairy Tale.
- Commonwealth's roughly 160 studentscome from more than 40 communities around Boston. They discover their passions, pursue new challenges, and grow into thoughtful and inquisitive young adults who thrive and excel in college, career, and life.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- David Altshuler '82 - Geneticist and co-founder of MIT's Broad Institute
- Peter W. Galbraith '69 - Diplomat
- Susanna Kaysen '66 - Author
- Kasi Lemmons '77 - Director
- Hamish Linklater '94 - Actor
- Ottessa Moshfegh '98 - Author
- Cornelia (Nina) Pillard '78 - United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Commonwealth School cost?
Commonwealth School's tuition is approximately $62,780 for private students.
Who are famous alumni from Commonwealth School?
Commonwealth School famous alumni include: David Altshuler '82, Peter W. Galbraith '69, Susanna Kaysen '66, Kasi Lemmons '77, Hamish Linklater '94, Ottessa Moshfegh '98 and Cornelia (Nina) Pillard '78.
Does Commonwealth School offer a summer program?
Yes, Commonwealth School offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.
What sports does Commonwealth School offer?
Commonwealth School offers 9 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Fencing, Sailing, Soccer, Squash, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
What is Commonwealth School's ranking?
Commonwealth School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for: Highest average SAT score, Highest percentage of students of color and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Commonwealth School?
The application deadline for Commonwealth School is Jan. 15.
In what neighborhood is Commonwealth School located?
Commonwealth School is located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, MA. There are 4 other private schools located in Back Bay.
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Commonwealth School also viewed these schools: The Newman School, Boston University Academy, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Milton Academy and Beaver Country Day School.
The nearest high school to Commonwealth School is The Newman School (0.2 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Kingsley Montessori School (0.1 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
247 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
One University Road
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-9000
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-9000
1.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 233 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition listed
80 Gerry's Landing Rd
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
3.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,044 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 68 Tuition listed
170 Centre Street
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 898-1798
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 898-1798
6.6 miles
Gr: K-12 | 1,020 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 56 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
791 Hammond St
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 738-2725
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 738-2725
4.8 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 490 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
247 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
One University Road
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-9000
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-9000
1.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 233 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition listed
80 Gerry's Landing Rd
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
3.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,044 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 68 Tuition listed
170 Centre Street
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 898-1798
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 898-1798
6.6 miles
Gr: K-12 | 1,020 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 56 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
791 Hammond St
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 738-2725
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 738-2725
4.8 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 490 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
247 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
80 Gerry's Landing Rd
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
3.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,044 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 68 Tuition listed
170 Centre Street
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 898-1798
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 898-1798
6.6 miles
Gr: K-12 | 1,020 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 56 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
791 Hammond St
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 738-2725
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 738-2725
4.8 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 490 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
10 Campus Drive
Dedham, MA 02026
(781) 320-7271
Dedham, MA 02026
(781) 320-7271
8.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 620 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 18 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
80 Gerry's Landing Rd
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6100
3.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,044 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 68 Tuition listed
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 566-7462
4.7 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 404 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 23 Tuition listed
20 Newton St
Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 522-5544
Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 522-5544
4.2 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 1,027 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 37 Tuition listed
Sidwell Friends School
(Friends)
3825 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 537-8100
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 537-8100
392.8 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,142 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 33 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Moses Brown School ![Moses Brown School Photo]( "Moses Brown School Photo")
(Friends)
250 Lloyd Ave
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 831-7350
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 831-7350
39.5 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 753 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 33 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
26 Exeter Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 226-4927
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 226-4927
0.1 miles
Gr: NS-6 | 301 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 14 Tuition listed
107 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-8427
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-8427
0.1 miles
Gr: K-6 | 118 students Avg. class size: 18 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
John Winthrop School
Daycare / Preschool
66 Marlborough St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-7159
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-7159
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 54 students Avg. class size: 13 students Tuition listed
247 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
247 Marlborough St
Boston, MA 02116
(603) 381-2003
Boston, MA 02116
(603) 381-2003
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 235 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
247 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
247 Marlborough St
Boston, MA 02116
(603) 381-2003
Boston, MA 02116
(603) 381-2003
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 235 students
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.]( "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
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 542-2325
0.9 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 287 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
James F Farr Academy
Special Education School
71 Pearl St
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 492-4922
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 492-4922
1.5 miles
Gr: 8-12 | 29 students
One University Road
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-9000
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-9000
1.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 233 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
26 Exeter Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 226-4927
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 226-4927
0.1 miles
Gr: NS-6 | 301 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 14 Tuition listed
107 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-8427
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-8427
0.1 miles
Gr: K-6 | 118 students Avg. class size: 18 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
247 Marlborough St
Boston, MA 02116
(603) 381-2003
Boston, MA 02116
(603) 381-2003
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 235 students
247 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4530
0.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 258 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
67 Brimmer St
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 523-7577
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 523-7577
0.4 miles
Gr: NS-6 | 224 students Avg. class size: 12 students Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
26 Exeter Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 226-4927
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 226-4927
0.1 miles
Gr: NS-6 | 301 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 14 Tuition listed
John Winthrop School
Daycare / Preschool
66 Marlborough St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-7159
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-7159
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 54 students Avg. class size: 13 students Tuition listed
67 Brimmer St
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 523-7577
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 523-7577
0.4 miles
Gr: NS-6 | 224 students Avg. class size: 12 students Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition listed
15 Brimmer Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 742-0520
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 742-0520
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 129 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition listed
Transportation Children's Center
Daycare / Preschool
10 Park Plaza Room 3330
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 973-8200
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 973-8200
0.6 miles
Gr: NS | 64 students Tuition listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
(Math: 36% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
60 Blackstone Street
Bellingham, MA 02019
(508) 966-3761
Bellingham, MA 02019
(508) 966-3761
9464.3 miles
Gr: 8-12 | 740 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
235 Wachusett Street
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-5281
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-5281
9464.7 miles
Gr: K-5 | 309 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 Financial Park
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-3434
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-3434
9465.1 miles
Gr: K-8 | 898 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
(Math: 72% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
218 Oak Street
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 613-1400
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 613-1400
9465.1 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,453 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
(Math: 49% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-6230
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-6230
9465.1 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 407 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
School Reviews
5 3/5/2020
Commonwealth students receive a distinguished education in a small community, which allows faculty and students to know each other and work closely together. It is akin to an idea lab bringing bright people together from different areas. The kids work hard and graduate, having had the equivalent of colleges` freshman/sophomore education. The campus is not extensive compared to suburban schools, but that does not prevent the school from offering sports, performing arts and other electives. Most students commute, which develops independence and urban savvy, and the school does a good job of introducing students to some cultural and geographical history of the city of Boston. Parents are also engaged through social events and volunteer opportunities. It is a special place.
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