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Best private high schools in Massachusetts

Written by:
April 10, 2024
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Best private high schools in Massachusetts

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Massachusetts using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

A class of high schoolers as viewed from the rear.
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#30. Wilbraham & Monson Academy

- Location: Wilbraham, MA
- Enrollment: 410 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#29. Stoneleigh-Burnham School

- Location: Greenfield, MA
- Enrollment: 120 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#28. The MacDuffie School

- Location: Granby, MA
- Enrollment: 202 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#27. Miss Hall's School

- Location: Pittsfield, MA
- Enrollment: 192 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students walking down a hallway with their backs facing the camera.
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#26. Lawrence Academy

- Location: Groton, MA
- Enrollment: 408 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student doing a chemical experiment.
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#25. Bancroft School

- Location: Worcester, MA
- Enrollment: 429 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper.
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#24. The Governor's Academy

- Location: Byfield, MA
- Enrollment: 415 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A student raising their hand in class.
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#23. Beaver Country Day School

- Location: Chestnut Hill, MA
- Enrollment: 457 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

An empty school hallway lined with red lockers.
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#22. The Rivers School

- Location: Weston, MA
- Enrollment: 525 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A student solving a math equation on a whiteboard.
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#21. The Williston Northampton School

- Location: Easthampton, MA
- Enrollment: 450 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#20. St. Sebastian's School

- Location: Needham, MA
- Enrollment: 380 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A hallway lined with green lockers.
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#19. Cushing Academy

- Location: Ashburnham, MA
- Enrollment: 380 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#18. Berkshire School

- Location: Sheffield, MA
- Enrollment: 430 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

An empty classroom as viewed from the back.
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#17. Brooks School

- Location: North Andover, MA
- Enrollment: 346 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#16. Northfield Mount Hermon

- Location: Mount Hermon, MA
- Enrollment: 626 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A group of students walking down the hall with their backs facing the camera.
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#15. The Winsor School

- Location: Boston, MA
- Enrollment: 450 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. British International School of Boston

- Location: Boston (jamaica Plain), MA
- Enrollment: 543 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students using microscopes in science class.
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#13. The Roxbury Latin School

- Location: West Roxbury, MA
- Enrollment: 307 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Enrollment: 1,036 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students raising their hands for class participation.
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#11. Belmont Hill School

- Location: Belmont, MA
- Enrollment: 465 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#10. Milton Academy

- Location: Milton, MA
- Enrollment: 1,020 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. Concord Academy

- Location: Concord, MA
- Enrollment: 419 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student doing classwork on their laptop.
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#8. Boston University Academy

- Location: Boston, MA
- Enrollment: 234 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A teacher writing an equation on a blackboard using chalk.
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#7. Middlesex School

- Location: Concord, MA
- Enrollment: 418 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. St. Mark's School

- Location: Southborough, MA
- Enrollment: 385 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. Deerfield Academy

- Location: Deerfield, MA
- Enrollment: 658 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A stack of spiral noteboooks in front of a wooden background.
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#4. Noble and Greenough School

- Location: Dedham, MA
- Enrollment: 614 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two rows of red lockers.
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#3. Groton School

- Location: Groton, MA
- Enrollment: 380 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. Commonwealth School

- Location: Boston, MA
- Enrollment: 154 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A closeup of a student taking notes in class.
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#1. Phillips Academy Andover

- Location: Andover, MA
- Enrollment: 1,187 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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