The Best Private Schools in Ashland, Massachusetts
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ashland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Learning Project Elementary School
Independent
The Learning Project is a highly-regarded independent elementary school serving the MetroWest region including Ashland families. Founded in 1973, this progressive school emphasizes project-based learning, critical thinking, and community engagement. With small class sizes averaging 15 students, the school provides individualized attention and a strong foundation in core academics while integrating arts and hands-on learning experiences. The school's unique approach focuses on developing confident, curious learners through a curriculum that balances traditional skills with innovative teaching methods. Located in nearby West Newton, it serves families from Ashland and surrounding communities seeking an exceptional elementary education.
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Tenacre Country Day School
Independent
Tenacre Country Day School is a prestigious independent elementary school serving Pre-K through Grade 6, drawing students from Ashland and throughout the MetroWest area. With over a century of educational excellence, Tenacre provides a balanced approach to education that combines strong academic foundations with character development. The school features a comprehensive STEAM program, daily Spanish instruction starting in Pre-K, and extensive arts and athletics programs. Their beautiful 13-acre campus includes modern facilities, dedicated science labs, and extensive play spaces. Tenacre is known for its warm, inclusive community and prepares students exceptionally well for competitive secondary schools.
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Saint Bridget School
Archdiocese of Boston
Saint Bridget School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school located in neighboring Framingham that serves many families from Ashland. Offering education from preschool through 8th grade, the school provides a strong academic foundation within a faith-based environment. Their STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) curriculum integrates modern educational approaches with traditional Catholic values. The school features updated facilities including technology labs, science classrooms, and dedicated art and music spaces. With a focus on character development and community service, Saint Bridget prepares students academically and morally for high school and beyond, making it a popular choice for Ashland families seeking private education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ashland, Massachusetts
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Ashland, Massachusetts, and what age groups do they serve?
Ashland, MA, is home to a few well-regarded private schools, though many families also consider options in neighboring towns. Within Ashland, Saint Bridget School is a private Catholic school serving students from Pre-K through Grade 8. For families looking at the immediate area, The Learning Project Elementary School (in Boston) and Tenacre Country Day School (in Wellesley) are highly regarded independent schools that attract families from Ashland and the broader MetroWest region. The Learning Project serves Grades K-6, while Tenacre serves Pre-K through Grade 6. It's common for Ashland parents to explore private schools in Framingham, Natick, and Hopkinton as well, given the town's central location.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Ashland, MA, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Ashland area varies significantly by school type. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Saint Bridget School in Ashland has a more moderate tuition, typically ranging from approximately $7,000 to $9,000 for parishioners and slightly higher for non-parishioners. In contrast, elite independent day schools like Tenacre Country Day School have tuitions that can exceed $40,000 annually. Most independent schools in Massachusetts, including those drawing Ashland students, have robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as deadlines often align with admission applications in January or February. Massachusetts also has the School Choice program, but this generally applies to public schools, not private institutions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Ashland residents?
Private schools in the MetroWest area accessible to Ashland families often have distinctive programs. For example, The Learning Project Elementary School in Boston is renowned for its intensive focus on literacy and a classic core knowledge curriculum. Tenacre Country Day School emphasizes a hands-on, experiential learning approach with a strong science and technology program, including dedicated innovation labs. Saint Bridget School offers a faith-based education integrated with STEM initiatives and Spanish language instruction starting in elementary grades. Many of these schools also leverage their proximity to Boston for enrichment through field trips and partnerships with cultural and scientific institutions.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Ashland, MA, families?
The enrollment process for most private schools in the Greater Boston area, including those serving Ashland, follows a standard independent school timeline. Key steps include: attending open houses in the fall (September-November), submitting applications by early January (often with a deadline of January 15th), and completing student visits/assessments in January or February. Admission decisions and financial aid awards are typically released in mid-March, with a family reply deadline in early April. For a parish-based school like Saint Bridget School, there may be priority given to active parishioners and siblings, and their timeline can be slightly more flexible, but applying early is always advised.
For parents considering both sectors, how do the private school options compare to the Ashland Public School district?
Ashland Public Schools are highly rated, which makes the decision a matter of fit and specific priorities. Private options offer smaller class sizes, often with student-teacher ratios below 10:1 at schools like Tenacre, compared to larger class sizes in public schools. Private schools may offer specialized curricular approaches (e.g., classical, faith-based, progressive) that differ from the standard Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. A key consideration is the K-8 structure of schools like Saint Bridget, whereas Ashland Public has a middle school model (Grades 6-8 at Ashland Middle School). For high school, Ashland residents are zoned for Ashland High School, so choosing a private elementary/middle often means planning for a private high school application process in 8th grade, with options in Boston and the suburbs. The financial investment for private school is substantial versus the no-tuition public option.
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