The Best Private Schools in Arlington Heights, Massachusetts
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Arlington Heights. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Independent
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is a highly-regarded independent day school serving students from pre-K through grade 12, with campuses in Cambridge that serve the Greater Boston area including Arlington Heights. BB&N offers a comprehensive academic program with advanced placement courses, extensive arts offerings, and competitive athletics. The school emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development within a diverse and inclusive community. With exceptional college placement records and outstanding faculty, BB&N provides a transformative educational experience that prepares students for top universities and meaningful lives.
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The Fessenden School
Independent
The Fessenden School is a premier independent day and boarding school for boys in pre-K through grade 9, located just minutes from Arlington Heights. With over a century of educational excellence, Fessenden offers a rigorous academic program complemented by extensive arts, athletics, and STEM opportunities. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, innovation spaces, and athletic complexes. Known for its supportive community and individualized attention, Fessenden prepares students for top secondary schools while fostering character development and leadership skills.
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Cambridge School of Weston
Independent
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive independent day and boarding school serving grades 9-12, located in nearby Weston and serving students from Arlington Heights and surrounding communities. CSW is renowned for its innovative modular curriculum that allows students to pursue deep, interdisciplinary learning. The school offers over 300 courses with strong emphasis on arts, humanities, and sciences. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, CSW provides personalized attention and fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity, and social responsibility. The campus features modern academic buildings, art studios, and athletic facilities on a 65-acre campus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Arlington Heights, Massachusetts
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Arlington Heights, MA, and are they actually located within the town?
While Arlington Heights itself is a village within the town of Arlington, it is part of a dense educational hub. The most prominent private schools frequently considered by Arlington Heights families, like The Fessenden School (Pre-K-9, all-boys), Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Pre-K-12, coed), and Cambridge School of Weston (9-12, coed), are located in neighboring West Newton, Cambridge, and Weston, respectively. There are also excellent parochial options closer by, such as St. Agnes School in Arlington. The key consideration for Arlington Heights parents is accessing these top-tier institutions via a manageable commute, often utilizing Route 2 or Massachusetts Avenue.
How does tuition for Boston-area private schools compare, and what financial aid resources are specifically available to Massachusetts residents?
Tuition for the top-tier day schools near Arlington Heights, like BB&N and Fessenden, typically ranges from approximately $45,000 to $60,000+ per year for the upper grades. Massachusetts residents have access to unique state-level financial aid options in addition to school-based aid. The most notable is the **School Choice Program**, though it primarily applies to public schools. More relevantly, the state offers tax-advantaged savings through the **U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan**, which can be used for K-12 private school tuition up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary. All major private schools in the area offer robust need-based financial aid; for example, BB&N awards over $9 million annually. It's crucial to apply for aid simultaneously with admission.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable in the private schools accessible from Arlington Heights, MA?
Schools in this corridor are known for deep specialization. The Cambridge School of Weston is renowned for its progressive, modular curriculum allowing significant student customization. Buckingham Browne & Nichols offers extensive research opportunities through its proximity to Harvard and MIT, with robust STEM and humanities programs. The Fessenden School emphasizes foundational skills and character for younger boys, with renowned arts and athletics. For Arlington Heights families, many schools also offer exceptional after-school programs and transportation options to accommodate the commute, along with partnerships with local cultural and scientific institutions in Cambridge and Boston that are rarely matched elsewhere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Arlington Heights, MA, area, and how can local parents prepare?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Fessenden, BB&N, and CSW, the main admission cycle for the following fall starts 12-18 months in advance. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in the fall), submitting applications by January (with deadlines as early as January 1st), completing student visits and interviews in the winter, and receiving decisions in March. Given the competitive nature, parents in Arlington Heights should initiate school research by the spring prior to the desired enrollment year. Many families also engage with educational consultants familiar with the Boston-area market. Sibling and legacy policies are strong factors, so declaring any existing connections is important.
How do the public schools in Arlington (including Arlington Heights) compare with the private school options, and what are the key decision factors for local families?
Arlington Public Schools (APS) are consistently ranked among the top public districts in Massachusetts, offering a strong, comprehensive education. The decision for Arlington Heights families often hinges on specific educational philosophies, class size, and specialized programs. While APS provides excellent AP courses and extracurriculars, private options like BB&N or CSW offer significantly smaller class sizes (e.g., 12:1 student-teacher ratios), more individualized learning paths, and different pedagogical approaches (e.g., progressive vs. traditional). The trade-off involves a substantial financial investment versus a free, highly-rated public system. Many families choose APS through high school, while others seek private education for a specific focus, such as single-gender learning at Fessenden or a particular arts/STEM intensity not available in the public curriculum.
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