About Us
Perennially recognized as one of the top private schools in the country, Commonwealth School educates young people from diverse backgrounds to become knowledgeable, thoughtful, and creative adults, capable of careful analysis, fruitful cooperation, responsible leadership, and deep commitment.
We're an independent high school that feels something like a college and something like a home...
What Makes Us Uncommon?
Academics that Challenge and Excite
Catering to curious students who enjoy intellectual adventures in classes often taught at a college level, Commonwealth’s curriculum is rooted in analysis, discussion, inquiry, and writing.
Close-Knit Community
Our small size—around 160 students—and 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensure strong relationships and personal attention from our extraordinary faculty.
In the Heart of Boston
Two blocks from Copley Square, our Back Bay location gives students unparalleled access to Boston’s resources for scholarly research, independent projects, and community service.
Personal Advising and Support
Every student is paired with an advisor with whom they meet weekly—a teacher who will be a guide, an advocate, a mentor, and a fan.
Traditions that Bind
Our strong community is forged, in part, through unique traditions, like our twice-yearly all-school trips to a waterfront camp—the setting for some of our most vivid and lasting memories.
Ample Options After Commonwealth
With dedicated faculty mentors and our Director of College Counseling guiding the way, students find themselves empowered and encouraged to follow the post-Commonwealth path that’s right for them.
A Culture of Creativity
Art permeates life at Commonwealth, and students choose from a variety of visual and performing arts options each semester—theater, orchestra, ceramics, chorale, printmaking, and more.
Care for the Whole Student
Sports are an important route to self-knowledge and pride, which is why we require participation in a variety of engaging athletic options, including fencing, soccer, basketball, sailing, and yoga.
“Off the Charts” Student Engagement
Researchers from Stanford’s Challenge Success program surveyed Commonwealth students to assess their well-being and workloads. The results were striking...
I remember when I was applying here, I just loved it immediately.... I could see the energy was very different here. I always talk about this mysterious spark, because I feel like that's the only way to describe seeing something that you just feel different about but you can't put it into words yet. Then when I actually came here as a junior, my first impression was just, Everyone's so terrifyingly smart! I remember sitting in class, and everyone was so eloquent and so eager to share their own ideas and add on to other people's. It obviously seems intimidating at first, but, you know, first impressions often leave out other stuff: Commonwealth students are not only smart, but they're also helpful and kind and funny. I know that now.
Equity and Inclusion
Commonwealth was founded to educate leaders who could bring expertise and empathy to bear on America’s problems, and to make this exceptional education accessible to students from Boston’s racially and socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods. Today, students of color represent more than half of our enrollment, and the school strives to live up to its founding mission by providing generous financial aid and academic support to ensure all students are prepared to excel.
