2023 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Massachusetts

• Andover, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  161 reviews

Alum: The great class of ‘75. We were the last class “de prepped “. We were two years apart and two years combined with Abbot. We met John Mason Kemper and carried on with “Doc” Sizer. We survived “Rinkydink” days and witnessed “Mother Phillips”. After all that, I’m totally jealous of what the students are offered and have available today. It’s awesome! And with “Need Blind” admission, who can compete! Go Big Blue!... Read 161 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1470

• Average ACT 33

• Groton, MA•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  62 reviews

Alum: At Groton, I feel that I have been able to become a more independent and conscientious person during my time at this school. The best thing about this school is the resources that it provides the students. Here, I feel that I can be whoever I like because the teachers, dorm parents, coaches, and community is supportive of everyone's quirks, interests, and dreams. The teachers are approachable and dedicated, and work hard to provide students with a positive experience and I have made some of the truest and most diverse background friends. However, while at my time here, I have noticed that there is a toxically competitive culture here. Moreover, sometimes it is hard to get leadership positions in clubs because one has to be "connected" or popular, and the unsafe hook-up culture NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! Overall, a great school, and despite the school's imperfections, I would not trade my experience at Groton for anything else in the world.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1450

• Average ACT 33

• Boston, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.82 out of 5  34 reviews

Parent: Commonwealth is wonderful! The faculty demand high academic rigor at the same time as giving the students all the support and scaffolding they need to reach their limits. All the adults in the school are extraordinarily attentive and approachable. The small size and the intellectual levels of the kids mean most of the classes are interactive and discussion based. The quality of attention in faculty and staff creates a mirror culture within the students as well. They are an accepting and collegial bunch.... Read 34 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1490

• Average ACT 34

• Boston, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: BUA provides a unique opportunity for students to have the best of both worlds: a small dynamic curious community couched inside of a large university with endless opportunities. The classes at BUA are taught by high quality professors and teachers who are dedicated to their subject areas and to helping students. Expectations are high and for the student who seeks challenges while learning to navigate student life in the city, BUA is an enriching opportunity. Students learn to navigate taking college classes while at BUA which is a huge advantage because course offerings at the university level are diverse. Students become independent learners as they advocate for themselves in the university environment. This school has a unique culture attracting students and families who have inherent interests in learning, an unparalleled curiosity and kindness. My daughter who is a senior now has loved every year of her time at BUA and is over prepared for her next steps at college.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1460

• Average ACT 34

• Deerfield, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  69 reviews

Parent: Deerfield is the Columbia University of the Ivy League. Exeter/Andover is the Harvard/Yale. DA is compact, efficient, structured & fun. It has the hardest grading w severe grade deflation. There is only 1 GPA on a scale of 100. If you magically break 93, you are high honors. If you want the best odds of your child getting into an Ivy or Elite or Top LAC, Deerfield admit stats are up with the Top 5 feeders in the country. DA looks/feels like a country club, but the kids here work extremely hard unless you are shoo-in as recruited athlete or legacy. Regular Sit-down dinners force you to meet everyone in the school. Mandatory 1st or 2nd waiter duties teach humility. You get out of Deerfield, what you put into it because the resources are limitless. It's a tough place if your child needs coddling. But the best school if you want your kid to be an independent thinker and doer. The teachers and admin are unbelievably competent! It should be ranked 2nd/3rd but all these rankings are bunk... Read 69 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1430

• Average ACT 32

• Concord, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  67 reviews

Parent: My son recently graduated from MX and his experience was a game changer for him. It is academically intense but non competitive, with students studying together and helping each other succeed. It is one of the kindest places that fosters friendliness and acceptance. His friends are smart, caring, multi faceted and diverse in every sense. The teachers take the time to build relationships and get to know the kids, meeting weekly as advisors to learn about and support their students as they navigate academics, sports, friends and teen challenges. MX is a gem that you seek out for a different and special ISL experience. An incredible place filled with amazing people!... Read 67 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1420

• Average ACT 32

• Cambridge, MA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  83 reviews

Junior: BB&N's facilities are impressive, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and athletic facilities. The school also offers a robust extracurricular program, including sports, clubs, and community service opportunities, which further enrich the student experience. What sets BB&N apart, however, is the sense of community and inclusivity that permeates the school. Students come from diverse backgrounds, and the school actively works to foster an environment of acceptance and respect. The faculty and staff are incredibly supportive and engaged, and parents are encouraged to be active participants in their child's education. Overall, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is an outstanding institution that provides an exceptional educational experience. With a challenging academic program, a welcoming community, and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, BB&N is an excellent choice for families seeking a top-tier education for their children.... Read 83 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1420

• Average ACT 32

• Dedham, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.65 out of 5  54 reviews

Senior: It is hard to put into words the incredibly positive impact that this school has had on my life. Coming in as an awkward freshman, I was greeted by a welcoming community of intelligent, funny, and hard-working students and teachers that have supported me since day one. Through the most amazing sports teams, clubs, organizations, and even just academic classes, I have made memories and formed relationships (with students and teachers alike) that will last me a lifetime. Now as a senior in my fourth year at the school, I feel confident in myself as a learner, friend, teammate, leader, and person, and so much of this is thanks to Nobles. Starting with assembly in the morning, and ending with "Dogs on three, one, two, three, DOGS!" at the end of practice in the afternoon, the constant infectious energy makes it a joy for me to go to school each day. I will miss this place dearly and plan to stay connected long after I graduate.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1410

• Average ACT 33

• Milton, MA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  141 reviews

Senior: Milton Academy students leverage their top-tier academics to achieve their goals. Whether that be in academics, athletics, the arts, or in social justice, everything these students do is done at the highest caliber. We love to learn and bond through knowledge! I would describe its community as full of social nerds. Milton has provided me with endless opportunities and has expanded my network immensely. Thank you for a wonderful three years so far, Milton. While I’ll be moving onto a new chapter in the next couple years, I know I will always have Milton’s support.... Read 141 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1410

• Average ACT 32

• Concord, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  103 reviews

Junior: I LOVE CA! As a current day student, I don’t have many regrets about my choice to go CA. The academics are manageable but rigorous, super friendly community, and most teachers really put in an effort to connect with students. CA is centered around common trust basically meaning that we all have trust in each other and put effort to foster a community. With that said, that is the case about 90% of the time. I’ve had a couple negative experiences with teachers and students who simply just don’t adhere to the common trust. For instance, I’ve a couple of teachers who just didn’t put in any effort to support me or my unique learning. Other than those few experiences, I have nothing but positive feedback for CA.... Read 103 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 32

• Boston, MA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  81 reviews

Parent: Winsor is really wonderful! Our child loves going to school here every day. The teachers work hard to make classes truly engaging; they are very approachable and provide detailed feedback and support. There are plenty of kind and friendly fellow students to bond with in classes, sports, performing arts, clubs, and other activities. We’re thankful for her experience here, and would choose to send her to Winsor again in a heartbeat.... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1450

• Average ACT 33

• Southborough, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  51 reviews

Junior: My St. Mark's experience so far has been great. The smaller sized classes allow for more individual attention and better communication between the students and teachers. There are also many opportunities available to students from community service to leadership positions. As a boarder, the dorm atmosphere is great and I've met many of my friends there!... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1390

• Average ACT 31

• Belmont, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.77 out of 5  26 reviews

Parent: My son is in middle school program. BH is a terrific school with very supportive faculty and administrative members who know how to mentor, coach and teach boys during their transformative phases as well as encouraging boys to take risk in order to get out their comfort zone and providing students just enough space to fail without dampening their enthusiasm and curiosity. The school has been working extremely hard to attract diverse student population to better overall student experience and promote inclusivity. Overall, I am very impressed with how thoughtful the school constructs the program and help the boys become excellent students and compassionate and supportive members of their respective communities.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1420

• Average ACT 33

• West Roxbury, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  47 reviews

Alum: This school has had massive influence on my mind and spirit since matriculating in the JFK era. Can't really speak for current performance of school leadership and its culture, but lived it during an especially troubled and troubling time. Sorry to say it, though the obsession with Harvard, etc. detracted from the healthy experience that we needed so badly, but which was not available to many, despite the boosters who would cling to the idea that they had not been damaged nor damaged others. Bullying was the norm in our time, and one learned how to "blend in" so as not to receive the horrific public shaming that "gay" or otherwise non-standard boys would get. Not the best preparation for an accepting or humanistic mind set for life, one asserts. "IQ" learning may have been at the highest level than any school in the country if not the world, in one's time there. The Howard Gardner "Multiple Intelligences" model was unknown at that time and so the three R's plus sports dominated.... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1470

• Average ACT 29

• Weston, MA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  44 reviews

Parent: We have been very pleased with our Rivers experience. In addition to offering excellent academics and extracurricular opportunities, the school is committed to student wellness. There are two full-time counselors available, and the student-faculty advisor system provides an additional layer of support. We found the school to be extremely supportive of our child when they experienced anxiety during the pandemic. The school also spends a great deal of time talking individually to each student and their parents about course selection to ensure that each student is appropriately challenged. Overall, we are very grateful that we chose Rivers!... Read 44 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1380

• Average ACT 32

• Mount Hermon, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  141 reviews

Alum: My cousins and sister attended Northfield Mount Hermon. Visiting them and hearing about their experiences, I'd dreamed of attending the school myself. When I was admitted, I was thrilled! The four years I spent at NMH were everything I hoped for and more. Academically, I was challenged and rewarded. Socially, I was awakened and embraced. Personally, I was impacted forever. The friends I made here are the deepest I have, almost 20 years later. I am eternally grateful that I was able to spend such formative years at such an incredible institution. If you are seeking a school that is constantly striving to do better and expects the same of their community, this is a place for you.... Read 141 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• North Andover, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  52 reviews

Parent: I have two Children who attend Brooks. Both are 4 year boarders. The opportunity each of them has been given in attending Brooks as been incredible. They have been challenged in and out of the classroom. The academics are challenging, but are done in an environment that is always supportive, with a lot of encouragement to strive to be and do your best. My children have forged wonderful relationships with many of their teachers, advisors and coaches; ones that will last a lifetime. The school is very warm and welcoming, and has the feel of being "home". Athletics at Brooks are a great compliment to the academics. Brooks is always competitive in so many of their athletic teams. Brooks transitioned so quickly and so well to online learning during this past Spring when schools were forced to close. The transition was seamless for my children, and my children continued to be challenged during this remote learning time. I would highly recommend Brooks School.... Read 52 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• Wellelsey, MA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  71 reviews

Parent: We have experienced both public and private high schools and in the end, it’s what the student makes of the available opportunities. We find Dana Hall to be an excellent school with caring and responsive staff. Students have weekly one on one meetings with their advisor as well as daily group meetings. The environment promotes girls to take on leadership roles as well as fostering a spirit of sisterhood through their many school traditions. We were initially hesitant about sending our kid to an all girls school but so far, she academically amply challenged and is very happy where she is.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 31

• Byfield, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: My son is currently a senior at Governor's and has had a fantastic experience! It truly is a very special place and we are so grateful he has had the opportunity to attend...The academics are definitely tough, but Governor's finds a way to create balance. There are prep schools out there that are so rigorous kids are stressed out and depressed. I distinctly recall touring one elite school which had an entire floor of a building dedicated to counseling offices because kids were so stressed out. That is not the case at Govs. Balance is important in life and Govs makes a conscious effort to explicitly weave that into the experience. I highly recommend Governor's to any parent looking for a school which will not only prepare your son or daughter for college, but one that will encourage growth on many levels.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• Needham, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  48 reviews

Parent: Our son started as a 9th grader in the fall of 2020. The school has exceeded our very high expectations. Even with the ongoing pandemic, the school has managed to provide an academically rigorous and caring/supportive community. The teachers are extraordinary. They know our son very well and truly care about his academic AND personal and spiritual development. His academic transition from public school has been seamless. We are confident the education he is receiving will prepare him very well for college. In this uncertain time with so much angst in society, I can not think of a better community for our son to be part of. On a daily basis the faculty and administration communicate their time tested wisdom that allows him to help filter out the current angst and noise that surrounds us all. We are extremely grateful we can call St. Sebastian's home. Sending our son is truly the best academic decision we have ever made.... Read 48 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 32

• Worcester, MA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  73 reviews

Parent: I want to add my support as the parent of two recent Bancroft graduates. As much as it was clear while my kids were still there that Bancroft was a great school (both in terms of academic strength and in terms of inspiring, caring teachers), I didn't really understand how great it was until they started college. Both of them went on to highly selective colleges (one of them with a $100K merit scholarship), and when they got to college, they just excelled. Something about the Bancroft approach to inquiry and curiosity, writing, public speaking, and self-advocacy was the perfect alchemy for college success. They were both much better prepared than their college classmates, and both ended up being a go-to resource for college friends who weren't as strong at thinking independently, writing, and participating in a college community. Under its new leadership, I am even more excited for this School. What a gem!... Read 73 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 31

• Ashburnham, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  106 reviews

Parent: Our daughter graduated in 2022 from Cushing, transferring in after her Sophomore year at another solid prep school.She reclassed because she knew she would love Cushing and simply wanted to spend three years there, not just two. She drove the decision to transfer and did all the research, identifying two strong boarding schools. She wanted to board. Early on, we decided to focus on Cushing. In hindsight, it was the best decision we could have made. We found Cushing to be a very welcoming, caring community. Academics are rigorous as you want. Plenty of AP courses offered as well as advanced courses. Engineering was one of her favorite classes and helped her decide that a STEM career is what she wanted to pursue in college. Visual Arts programs offered are amazing. She enjoyed glass making, creating a few treasured gifts. She sang and did theater; Performing Arts also excellent. Athletics programs are strong. Excellent coaches. There are athletic opportunities for every student.... Read 106 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 31

• Medfield, MA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  80 reviews

Parent: Our daughter's overall experience at Montrose School has been very positive. She is an active participant in her learning experiences, while also being challenged in many ways to grow each day. The dedicated teachers engage with students in a variety of areas. In addition to academics, teachers mentor students and support each of them along their unique journey at Montrose. The school offers countless opportunities for students to stay active and involved in sports and clubs, which helps to balance both academic and social development. We are blessed to have found such a wonderful school to support our daughter!... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• Easthampton, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  142 reviews

Parent: Our son went to Williston last year for a repeat junior year. Though his public-private high school in Vermont offered ample opportunities, the Covid experience had impacted his academic sequence and experience. He'd also come to realize Vermont's competition levels and potential for exposure didn't align with his aspirations for next-level play. Williston came well-recommended by a college friend whose son had been their for a few years, especially for its community. Even more than meeting our expectations for the sports, we were thrilled to see the community and academic experience energize him to new levels. He thrived with connections to students from around New England, the country, globe, and local community! We are thrilled with his academic interest and relationships. He is extremely excited to return for senior year, and I encourage any family seeking a prep experience to look at the school!... Read 142 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 29

• Sheffield, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.49 out of 5  104 reviews

Alum: Attending Berkshire School was a life changing experience. From athletics, my participation in the arts, and most importantly academics, I was encouraged to be my best at everything I did, everyday. I use to think private schools can be overwhelming and ruthlessly competitive. However, Berkshire School is a small, loving, and supportive community that focuses on the collective success of the school rather than the success of one student, while always ensuring that students are held to a elite level standard. No matter where you are from, coming to Berkshire will give you the opportunity to do everything at the highest level, it was truly the place where I began to understand my identity, unlock my passions, and hold myself to high standards.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 30