Leading Private Schools 2011

It’s that time of year: cool, crisp weather, leaves changing colors, and parents getting ready to send their children back to school. Many parents want to give their children a strong academic upbringing so they’ll be ready for the challenges of college and life beyond. Preparing for this can start as young as nursery school. Private schools often give students a leg up not only in terms of academics, but also in the fields of athletics, arts, and technology. Fortunately, New England boasts some of the best private schools in the country, including those listed on the next few pages. By Judy Koutsky

Central Catholic High School is a coeducational college preparatory high school with an enrollment of over 1,350 students who come from 45 towns and four countries. The school embraces students with diverse ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Advanced Placement and honors courses are available in a variety of disciplines as well as dual-credit university courses in physics and forensics. Instruction is offered in several areas including fine and performing arts, visual arts, choral music and theatre. Student activities, interscholastic athletics, and community service programs are also integral to the student life experience. The school was founded by the Marist Brothers in the heart of Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1935. It is proud to report that 99% of its graduates enroll in college.

Since its founding in 1962, North Shore Nursery School in Beverly Farms serves children ages two through five by providing a nurturing and engaging first-school experience. Children benefit from highly qualified teachers who thoughtfully prepare an evolving theme-based and emergent curriculum. The school was designed specifically for preschool children, bright, roomy interiors that stimulate young minds and allow children to feel confident and secure. They venture outdoors in almost any kind of weather to enjoy physical and imaginative play on the spacious playground, dig in the garden, or explore the nature trails. NSNS values its child-centered teaching philosophy which respects young children’s natural sense of curiosity, exploration, play and joy.

Covenant Christian Academy is a Christian and Classical preparatory coeducational day school for students pre-kindergarten through grade 12. At CCA, outstanding teachers engage students in small classes and challenge them to think critically and seek truth in all things. Students learn to read widely, to think deeply, and to write clearly as they prepare not only to excel in college, but to impact society as leaders with sincere faith and strong character. Covenant’s unique school community nurtures mutual respect and personal responsibility while cultivating students’ individual academic, athletic, musical, and artistic talents. A rich variety of experiences, both in and outside the classroom, gives every student the opportunity to get involved in school life.

Located on Moraine Farm in Beverly, the Cape Ann Waldorf School offers nursery through grade eight, as well as a parent & child program. Waldorf teachers bring learning alive through a multi-sensory, experiential approach, integrating rigorous academics with expressiveness in movement, foreign language, music, and the arts. The school believes in reconnecting children with the natural world as part of learning, and students go outside multiple times each day. This model of teaching cultivates physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. Cape Ann Waldorf School is celebrating 25 years on the North Shore and is a member of the fastest growing independent school movement in the world.

For 75 years, Shore Country Day School has proven its academic excellence through small class size, creative teaching styles, and the focus on the individuality of each child. Their partnership with families is the foundation of the community. Encouraging artistic expression and independent thinking, respect among students, a commitment to service, and an appreciation of diversity, each child is supported and encouraged to meet his or her fullest potential. Professional development for the faculty translates into innovative and expert teaching for the students.  Motivations are high and the learning is fun. With confidence, an excitement for intellectual life, and a love for their teachers, students graduate with the experiences and skills for strong success.

Nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains, New Hampton School is rich with history, dating back to 1821. An independent college preparatory school for 305 boarding and day students, grades 9-12 and postgraduate, the mission of the school is to cultivate global citizens. NHS, which features an iPad program for freshmen and sophomores, offers the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate program (the first boarding school in New England to offer the program), Advanced Placement, and Academic Support. New Hampton’s 2011 graduates will matriculate at universities including Brown, Cornell, Williams, NYU, Connecticut College, and Cal Berkeley.

Founded in 1956 and located on the Beverly/Manchester line, Brookwood School is a coed day school for pre-kindergarten through grade eight. For more than 50 years, Brookwood has been instilling in students a lifelong love of learning and graduating academically accomplished individuals of conscience, character, and compassion. Brookwood believes in balance: rigor with compassion, excellence with exuberance, and self-discovery, along with sensitivity to others. Brookwood’s 400 students come from more than 30 communities.

Pike School, located on 35 acres of beautiful woods in Andover, MA, this coed day school educates students pre-kindergarten through grade nine. Small class size, a commitment to individual attention, and a strong athletic, art, and academic curriculum make for well-rounded, high-achieving students who are exceptionally well prepared for secondary schools. The especially diverse community of students and teachers provides an environment in which Pike students develop a life-long love of learning and the values necessary to become responsible citizens with a respect for others. Founded in 1926, Pike has more than 2,000 alumni, and current enrollment includes more than 400 students.

Austin Preparatory School, located in Reading, is a Catholic independent school serving 700 students in grades 6 through 12, with an average class size of 16. In addition, the student-faculty ratio is 10:1. Over 50 extra curricular programs allow for learning to occur in and out of the classroom. Additionally, there are 17 interscholastic programs and a vibrant arts program.  Students are engaged in learning at their specific skill level. Sixteen Advanced Placement courses are offered. Founded in the Augustinian tradition, this coed, independent school strives to prepare students for success in both higher education and in their adult lives.

Founded in 1971, Landmark School was created with the goal of educating students whose academic skills did not match their thinking and problem-solving capacities. Growing from a campus of 40 students to one of 450, the school is located on two North Shore campuses with a faculty of more than 300. This coeducational boarding and day school offers a full range of personalized programs for students with language-based learning disabilities in grades 2-12, including a residential program for grades 9-12. In addition, Landmark offers a summer program (grades 1-12) which includes a daily one-to-one tutorial. Small classes are the norm, with an average size of only 4-8 students and a teacher-student ratio of 1:3. Administration and faculty are proud of the fact that 96% of their 2011 graduates attend college.

Sparhawk School, a private day school, believes that children should learn in a culture of kindness. In addition to its high academic standards-100% of its graduates have been accepted to at least one of their top three college choices-students are taught to show respect to their peers and teachers, count their blessings for what they have, and try their best in all endeavors. Through example, children are shown that success leads to confidence and confidence is a feeling that endows happiness. A large percentage of teachers at the school hold master’s degrees. The teachers encourage independent thinking and seek to preserve students’ natural joy and passion for learning by encouraging creativity and curiosity and by building self-esteem. The school accepts students for lower, middle, and high school grades.

Steeped in history and on the leading edge of innovation, St. John’s Prep is known for a rigorous program that empowers young men to achieve their full potential. The school attracts students from more than 80 communities and engages them in a wide array of academic choices, extracurricular activities, athletics, and leadership opportunities, in the classroom and beyond. The 175-acre campus provides an ideal setting with a spacious library, advanced technology, well-equipped science labs, turf fields, and a building dedicated to art, music, and theatre. Founded in 1907, St. John’s is a Catholic, Xaverian Brothers-sponsored school for young men.

Saint Michael School has a 60 year history of strong academic excellence combined with Catholic principles. The school environment is one of nurturing and acceptance. Children are taught the value of compassion, self discipline, moral values, strong work ethic, and community service, resulting in a strong spiritual character. The school serves students in nursery through eighth grade within the Greater Merrimack Valley area. They offer extended day care to meet full-day work requirements. The diverse curriculum includes art, physical education, music, library, computer, and Spanish classes. Students also enjoy extensive extra curricular programs.

Tower School provides an academically rigorous education in an environment that is both caring and nurturing — this is a demanding but happy place. In keeping with its long-standing commitment to integrate the best of contemporary and traditional approaches to education, the school will introduce a one-to-one tablet computer program in 2011-2012. Every student in grades 3-8 will have their own personal iPad to use throughout the school day and to take home at night. Tower’s graduates are recognized for their superb preparation to succeed in the most demanding secondary school programs.

Heronfield Academy is an independent middle school located in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. Heronfield’s core curriculum emphasizes not only mathematics, science, English, history, and foreign language but also music, drama, visual arts, physical education, and health. Teachers plan curricula together and students collaborate, learning together. The strength of the school community reinforces a deeper understanding of the value of interdisciplinary work. The school’s core values include: honesty, respect, diligence, celebration, and caring. Located in a rural setting, the school feels that being outside and energized is a key component of the curriculum.

Glen Urquhart School, an independent day school for kindergarten through eighth grade in Beverly Farms, MA, integrates challenging science, language arts, and math curricula with its signature arts and community service programs. Children find joy in learning when a curriculum is intellectually challenging, developmentally appropriate, integrated among subject areas, engaging of all their senses, and inclusive of resources beyond the school’s walls. With two fully credentialed teachers in every lower school classroom, Glen Urquhart students thrive in an atmosphere of individualized support. In addition to the small student-teacher ratio, the 230 students benefit from a nature trail, an outdoor classroom, and a greenhouse on the 23-acre campus.

Founded in 1978, Clark School is located in a farmhouse in Danvers, MA. Woods, fields, marsh, and meadow surround the grounds, make it a beautiful and inviting place for students. The school is particularly appropriate for children who demonstrate high intellectual, creative, or leadership abilities. Clark School students respond to an environment that encourages them to develop their talents fully. The school emphasizes positive personal values, high achievement, and meaningful participation in the community. Clark School offers a stimulating multi-age learning environment for children in kindergarten through high school. Classes here do not exceed 15 students. The school offers skill-based classes in the mornings with peer-based classes in the afternoon.

Each year, over 100 seventh, eighth, and ninth grade boys and girls call Fay School home. Between the ages of 12 and 15, Fay’s boarding students come from the North Shore of Massachusetts, across the United States, and around the world, creating a truly multicultural community of learners in Southborough. Fay’s boarders live in comfortable, well-supervised dormitories and participate in a daily program structured to help each student succeed academically and socially. Through small classes and individual attention, Fay’s challenging and supportive learning environment provides thorough preparation for competitive secondary schools. Boarding students are integrated with 350 day students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade nine, all of whom participate in a wide variety of academic, athletic, and artistic activities designed to help them understand their own unique strengths and talents and become confident, actively engaged leaders. With so many great schools, it’s hard to know which to choose. Here, read what makes each school stand out. “Our talented faculty and staff are incredibly passionate about their vocation as teachers, not only, ensuring that quality learning takes place in the classroom but committing themselves to their students’ total high school experience.” -Doreen Keller, Principal, Central Catholic High School

“NSNS’ highly qualified and dedicated faculty focus solely on the developmental needs of children ages 2-5. Our outstanding student-to-teacher ratio promotes each child’s development while creating a warm, enriching and joyful classroom environment.” -Suzanne Hodson, Director, North Shore Nursery School

“Throughout the year, I speak to many parents who are searching for more for their child — more academic challenge, more personal attention from teachers, more opportunities to get involved in school life, more healthy friendships, and a more disciplined and nurturing school atmosphere. Many of those searches end right here at Covenant.”  -Tom Stoner, Head of School, Covenant Christian Academy

“In today’s pressured, nature-starved, media-saturated world, Waldorf education offers a proven approach to give children the health and inner strength they need to move fully into life and help solve the problems of tomorrow.”-Jenny Helmick, Faculty Member, Cape Ann Waldorf School

“Shore inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. Within the community of the school, we seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity, helping our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.”-Lee Carey, Director of Admissions, Shore County Day School

“At a time when public schools are losing funding, New Hampton School is pushing forward with the addition of the International Baccalaureate program and an iPad Program, allowing students to learn in an innovative boarding school environment that prepares them with the necessary skills to be successful in college and an increasingly changing world.” -Andrew Menke, Head Of School, New Hampton School

“Our graduates today remain well prepared for the future in large part because they have felt physically healthy, personally recognized, and emotionally safe in their elementary school,” -John Peterman, Head of School, Brookwood School

“Year after year, Pike graduates distinguish themselves in academics, the arts, sports, and service as leaders at the highly competitive secondary schools and colleges they attend. We take this as validation of the quality and value of a Pike education.”-John Waters, Head of School, Pike School

“At Austin Prep, ‘character education,’ educating the whole person, is just something we have always done and done well. It’s not our ‘niche;’ it’s just what we do every day.”-Kevin J. Driscoll, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Austin Prep

“Landmark is unique in that the entire school community is driven by the singular mission of identifying each student’s strengths and challenges and then customizing and implementing an individualized program that leads to success in learning and in life.”-Robert Broudo, Headmaster, Landmark School

“Our culture of kindness, held as a high value by our students as well as the adults, creates a climate wherein students can be socially and intellectually secure. It is this, above all, that sets Sparhawk apart.” -Louise Stilphen, Headmaster, Sparhawk

“Our students go on to top colleges and universities every year, and the impressive range of what they achieve reflects an extraordinary faculty and programs that are designed to bring out the best in each boy.” -Edward P. Hardiman, Headmaster, St. John’s Prep

“St. Michael School is a fun, nurturing, loving, and spiritual environment where students gain a love of learning, faith, and friendships.” -Susan Gosselin, Principal, Saint Michael School “With just 300 students enrolled, teachers and students know each other well. The trust that builds through this familiarity allows students to take the kind of academic risks that dramatically expand their education.”  -Peter Philip, Head of School, Tower School

“Our teachers have created a rigorous curriculum that challenges our students and encourages them to continue to love the process of learning. Being engaged as a learner is a given here. ” -Martha Shepardson-Killam, Head of School, Heronfield Academy

“Through programs and partnerships such as our service week in Honduras, our regular visits to the MIT Edgerton Lab, our association with the Johns Hopkins math program, and our many on-going relationships with area museums and community programs, we provide our students with big opportunities in a small school setting.” -Leslie Marchesseault, Director of Admission, Glen Urquhart School

“The Clark School is a place where we rejoice in error as much as success. We consistently produce kids who not only perform well, but feel amazing about themselves.” -Jeff Clark, Head of School, The Clark School

“Some schools are highly traditional and others are single-mindedly innovative; Fay School succeeds in being both traditional and innovative.”-Rob Gustavson, Head of School, Fay School

  Directory Austin Preparatory School 101 Willow Street Reading, MA 01867 781.944.4900, ext 835 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: 6th – 12th Application Deadline: 12/16 Open House: 10/16, 11 – 3PM

Brookwood School One Brookwood Road Manchester, MA  01944 978.526.4500 Type of School: Independent Day, Coeducational Grades: pre-K – 8th Application Deadline: 2/15/12 Applications received after 2/15 will be considered on a “rolling admissions” basis. Open House: 11/17, 12/8, 1/29,  2/9

Cape Ann Waldorf School 701 Cabot Street (Route 97) Historic Moraine Farm, Beverly, MA 01915 978.927.1936 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: Parent & Child Program, Nursery, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle Application Deadline: 1/31/12 for 2012-2013 academic year with rolling admissions after this date. Open House: 10/1, 11/5, 11/15, 12/6, 2/7, 3/17, 4/7, 5/8

Central Catholic High School 300 Hampshire Street Lawrence, MA  01841 978.682.0260 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: High Application Deadline: Candidates for 9th- 12/30/11 Candidates for transfer into 10th or 11th- 6/1/12 Open House: 10/16, 1 – 4 PM

The Clark School 487 Locust Street Danvers, MA 01923 978.777.4699 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: K – 12th Application Deadline: Rolling Open House: 10/20, 9 – 10:30 11/8 (High School Information Night), 7 – 9PM,   11/17, 9 – 10:30AM, 1/26, 9 – 10:30 AM See website for more dates.

Covenant Christian Academy 83 Pine Street West Peabody, MA 01960 978.535.7100 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: Nursery, Elementary, Middle, High Application Deadline: 2/1/12  With rolling admissions based on availability throughout the year. Open House: 10/27, 6 – 8 PM

Fay School 48 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772 508.485.0100 Type of School: Boarding (7th – 9th) & Day (pre-K – 9th) Coed Grades: pre-K – 9th Application Deadline: Rolling admission for boarding candidates; 2/15 for day school candidates Open House: pre-K – 2nd – 10/13, 9 – 10:30 AM &  11/10, 9 – 10:30AM For grades 3 – 9 – 10/11, 10:30 – 1 PM, & 11/9, 10:30 – 1 PM For all grades – 12/4, 1 – 4 PM

Glen Urquhart School 74 Hart Street, Beverly Farms, MA  01915 978.927.1064 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: K – 8th Application Deadline: 1/31 or as openings arise Open House: 11/17, 11/20, 1/19

Heronfield Academy 356 Exeter Road Hampton Falls, NH 03044 603.772.9093 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: 6 – 8th Application Deadline: 1/16 and all supporting documents such as recommendations, due 2/1 Open House: 10/13, 11/9, 1/12

Landmark School 429 Hale Street, Prides Crossing, MA 01965 978.236.3000 Type of School: Day & Boarding, Coeducational Grades: Elementary, Middle, High Application Deadline: Rolling Open House: Check website

New Hampton School 70 Main St. New Hampton, NH 03256 603.677.3401 Type of School: Boarding & Day Coeducational Grades: 9th-12th, Postgraduate Application Deadline: 2/1/12 Open House: 10/15

North Shore Nursery School 204 Greenwood Avenue, Beverly Farms, MA  01915 978.922.8450 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: Nursery Application Deadline: 12/15/11 Open House: 11/5, 10 AM, 11/9, 9:30 AM

The Pike School 34 Sunset Rock Road Andover, MA 01810 978.475.1197 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: Nursery, Elementary, Middle Application Deadline: 1/13/12 Open House: (All) 11/6, 1 – 3 PM  (Grades 6 – 9)  12/6, 9 – 11:30 AM  (preK & K) 2/8, 10 – 11:30 AM

St. John’s Prep 72 Spring Street Danvers, MA 01923 978.774.1050 Type of School: Day, Boys Grades: High School Application Deadline: 12/15 Open House: 10/2 & 10/22

Saint Michael School 80 Maple Avenue North Andover, MA 01845 978.686.1862 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: Nursery, Elementary, Middle Application Deadline: Applications are accepted at any time. They must arrive at the school by December 15th for inclusion in the January registration process. Open House: Tours Upon Request

Shore Country Day School 545 Cabot Street Beverly, MA  01915 978.927.1700 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades:  pre-K – 9th Application Deadline: Rolling Open House: 11/16 & 1/22

Sparhawk School 196 Main Street (High School) 259 Elm Street (Lower School) Amesbury, MA 01913 978.994.9024 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: pre-K – 12th Application Deadline: Rolling Open House: 10/29, 10AM – 12PM Tower School 75 West Shore Drive Marblehead, MA 01944 781.631.5800 Type of School: Day, Coed Grades: pre-K – 8th Application Deadline: 1/15 Open House: 10/19, 9  -  11,   11/16, 6 – 7:30 PM,    11/17,  9 – 11 ,   1/11, 9 – 11