2023 Best Public Schools in Chestnut Hill

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  539 reviews

Senior: Boston Latin School is undoubtedly rigorous. The curriculum and workload translate into this intense pressure that many students find difficult to bear. Of course, this rigor is helpful for students to prepare for whatever is coming next in their professional/academic careers. I have found that each course provides me with the knowledge and readiness for the path I intend to take, and BLS has given me even more opportunities to expand and grow as a student. This rigor does come with a cost, however, and it is greatly reflected in each student's mental, emotional, and physical health. Many students here understand the intense pressure that comes with this sort of environment and therefore adapt by any means necessary. The difficulty of the coursework often leads some students to neglect healthy habits and good sleep schedules, and although BLS has taken many strides in ensuring that they spread more awareness on personal care, they still have many improvements to make.... Read 539 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,483

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  395 reviews

Alum: The teachers and staff at newton north are amazing! Many of the teachers are talented, smart, engaging, and nurturing. They will support you while challenging you to think deeper! The way these teachers are able to create community again and again is truly something special.... Read 395 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,073

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  321 reviews

Junior: I really like Newton South! The academics here are great while also demanding enough to prepare all students for higher education. The teachers are great and are accommodating and actually care about students. Unfortunately, I feel that the school culture is not really there for me, and grades seem to be cliquey in some noticeable ways. Otherwise, there is a multitude of great clubs and activities that students can join, and there are a number of sports offered at the school.... Read 321 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,869

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Public Schools of Brookline, MA•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 2.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: I went to Heath School for grades K - 7, and I overall had a okay experience there. 6th grade was my best year, as during the COVID-19 shutdown, I became very close to a Maths teacher who used to work there, and she was always very kind to me. She was a wonderful teacher too, as she helped build an understanding and love for Mathematics with her students. However, in 7th grade, after she had stopped working at the school, I found out that I could not keep in touch with her because of a rule, which made me feel very sad, as I miss her.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 477

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: Teachers and staff are amazing, special education is hands down the best we have ever experienced. They meet your kid where they are at rather than fitting them into a program that doesn’t work. They use a case management system for special Ed and go the extra mile on everything!... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 794

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: Incredibly supportive teachers, who are warm and skilled. A diverse and rich curriculum. My child loves going to school!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 216

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: Terrific! Becoming increasingly overcrowded (bigger class sizes) but the teachers are simply the best!!!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 366

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 647

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 506

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  537 reviews

Sophomore: I love the diversity of the student/teacher population and how much we are able to learn about each other cultures while integrating respect for each other's faith as well as backgrounds. Academically, I feel adequately challenged and encouraged by both peers and teachers. I feel safe when I am at school and feel that I am able to approach my teachers or school faculty about any concerns I may have. In the future, I would like to see more opportunities for social interactions within the school day, as well as more hands-on learning. For example, going on field trips to witness first hand the lessons that is being taught, or to be able to gain practical insights on how the theoretical lessons we are learning applies in real-world situations.... Read 537 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,787

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: I like this school. I am a kid at this school, the teachers are great and the princapal is bad. But overall, GREAT school.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 342

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  399 reviews

Sophomore: The school is very diverse, including all the staff and teachers which is very refreshing to see. They offer over twenty AP courses and have about four pathways including biology and STEM. There is also a wide variety of clubs and after school activities that students can participate in. Overall, I think it is a very well-rounded school and if you're looking for something to offer you college readiness then I reccomend O'Bryant. Keep in mind that it is an exam school, so you need to pass the exam first before you can get in. Good luck!... Read 399 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,624

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Roslindale, MA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: I loved how ahead I was as a student and how interesting and engaging they kept all subjects for us to keep us interested in class. If you had trouble in class they worked with you personally to make sure you understood the lesson for the day.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,053

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Cambridge, MA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-6

• grade A minus

• Students 344

• Student-teacher ratio 31:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: The only reason I gave the school only 4 stars and not 5 is because of some of the elitist parents and the fundraisers that are geared towards wealthy families. No working class family can afford tickets to a gala, so that does marginalize some families. However, the amazing Principal is such a wonderful administrator, and caring and compassionate to all students needs. The teachers have all been top-notch and go above and beyond in every way possible. And it is wonderful the way that they take full advantage of the resources available to them being in the heart of Boston. From weekly trips to the skating rink, to the New England Aquarium and frequent visits to the state house, Museum of Science, events at TD Garden, North End Library, a collaborative with Boston Ballet and New England Conservancy... the list goes on and on... Love this school and all it offers!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 781

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Cambridge, MA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: This school offered a lot of support during the pandemic. Students were able to speak about their feelings and their opinions were valued. This school made being on zoom very interesting and educational. This school has raised me well and disciplined me with understanding on why having great behavior is beneficial to you and others. It is very diverse and has a lot of students coming from Haitian decent. There are lots of African-American teachers, the students feel comfortable seeing the amount of representation. This school is competitive in sports and encourage kids to participate in gym. Students do lots of hands on projects and work outside, and gardening. Students develop creativity from being at Prospect-Hill Academy. I only wish the teachers were more strict about dress code.... Read 71 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,107

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-6

• grade B+

• Students 303

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  5 reviews

Junior: It has been good so far this year! I have enjoyed the teachers time and effort working with students, this has made learning more efficient since the teachers take their time to make sure everyone is on the same page and if someone if left behind the teachers can make time for them. This being my first year at this high school I was nervous because I thought I wouldn’t be able to fit in, but I made a lot of friends who want similar objectives to me making it easier to communicate with others and not feeling excluded.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 137

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 3.36 out of 5  25 reviews

Alum: my experience is Boston Adult Academy was great, They have really good teachers that care for the students in the success in and after school. It was absolute the best school I have ever attend. they help students to find college and have goals to reach after you are done there. this school has a lot of diversity, most of the students are immigrants. I learn about other cultures like Haiti which more of the students are from, they are happy and friendly. I did friends that are going to stay with me forever, we felt safe being at school, also the teachers did a lot of activity with the students like BBQ and live music, it was always fun to be there and the learning methods where also really good, they teach English to those students that needed like myself, when I came to this country I had to start with English level 1 and in the end I finish high school with a lot of knowledge about history, math, physics, writing and speaking skills. in overall it was a great experience.... Read 25 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 133

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-8

• grade B+

• Students 548

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  31 reviews

Junior: My experience at this high school was overall good. The school culture is generally warm and bright, many career and higher education opportunities are provided, and the extracurriculars are splendid. New Mission is overall a dream school for the average person. Even with the many positives, there are still things that need to be changed. Some changes would range from the treatment from administration towards students, racial issues, and finally to something as simple as better provided food and cleaner bathroom facilities.... Read 31 reviews

• grade B

• Students 481

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Lexington, MA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  113 reviews

Senior: Minuteman is a regional technical and career school. It's not your typical vocational school. Minuteman offers career majors in typical vocational studies in plumbing or welding, but also has biotechnical engineering, robotics, computer programming and design and visual communications. A new school was completed in 2019 and it's spectacular. The teaching staff is the best part about the school. Since it's relatively small, the clubs and sports offerings are slim and participation is small, but you still can get involved!... Read 113 reviews

• grade B

• Students 635

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 2.6 out of 5  5 reviews

• grade B

• Students 51

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Framingham, MA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  10 reviews

Alum: I personally loved my experience going to McAuliffe. I graduated several years ago, but many things I was taught there still stick with me. I used to remind many of my peers that most of the time, it isn't the school: middle school is supposed to be terrible for everyone. There's no way around it. However at McAuliffe, they do their best to shape their students into better individuals. The teachers there put so much time and effort into their work and they want their students to have the best possible opportunities. There is an extensive range of clubs as well as many sports offered. The school is smaller than the other middle schools in town, but it fosters a welcoming and tight knit community. Instead of regular "specials" (gym, music, art) they offer unique classes (Adventure, Wellness, and T4L2/Design) that are different every year. Not every loves this school, but I think that it is a wonderful opportunity to grow not just as students but as young adults.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B

• Students 399

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  37 reviews

Alum: Graduated recently from Quincy Upper school, Overall a great diverse school that takes college readiness very seriously. The curriculum for this school is IB and so far the teachers have done a well job at maintaining the course guide. Staff and faculty are very welcoming as they look forward to students coming down to learn. The location for this school is amazing at it resides near Bostons Downtown and Chinatown with easy accessibility to the Orange line and Silver line.... Read 37 reviews

• grade B

• Students 535

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1