School Profile

• SAT: The median SAT composite score for the Class of 2024 is 1520. 
• National Merit: 19 out of 34 members of the Class of 2024 are National Merit Semifinalists or Commended Scholars.
• AP: By the end of July 2023, 80% of scores were 4 or 5; 96% of scores were 3 or above. When AP exams are available for APE classes, most students earn a score of 4 or 5. 
• Commonwealth School does not rank students nor confer academic honors.
• All ninth-grade courses are graded Pass (P)/Fail (E)

Of the 31 students in the Class of 2022, 100% were admitted to one or more of their preferred colleges; 90% were accepted to highly selective schools.

Since 2016, the most popular colleges and universities attended by graduates are Boston College, Brandeis University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard College, Haverford College, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Smith College, Swarthmore College, Tufts University, UMASS Amherst, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, Wellesley College. Please see the full report at the bottom of  this page for a complete list of colleges and universities.

Most Honors (H) and all Advanced Placement (AP) courses are taught at the college level. AP equivalent (APE) courses have the rigor that is equivalent to or surpasses AP requirements.

Arts

Students are required to take one art course per year, choosing from printmaking, drawing and painting, photography, and ceramics; 40% of students take two or more even though they do not receive academic credit for these courses. 

Language 

Commonwealth offers courses in French, Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Math and Science

Mathematics and science classes include varying levels of Calculus (including Multivariable and Theoretical Calculus), Statistics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Electives include Abstract Algebra, Differential Geometry, Advanced Topics in Neuroscience, and Environmental Science.

Humanities 

English courses focus on close reading of texts, and history courses require three long research papers, one each in Ancient History, Medieval World History, and U.S. History. Electives include Art History, Introduction to Psychology, and Music Theory, Composition, and Conducting.

For more information on complete course offerings, please visit our Courses page and browse by department.

Leadership

Commonwealth emphasizes collegiality over hierarchy. Student government is voluntary, and club leadership is shared or fluid.

Learn more about clubs and extracurriculars offered at Commonwealth.

Community Service

Students must participate in a ninth-grade service project or complete 20 hours of community service.

Project Week

Every year, students in grades 9–11 design and complete a one-week project or participate in a two-week overseas exchange. One-week projects involve finding and shadowing a mentor in a field of interest. During senior year, students create and complete a three-week project.

Learn more about Project Week.

Jobs

Nearly all students serve two weeks out of three on a crew that cleans up the kitchen and lunchroom. Each year, about twenty students are chosen as head waiters and supervise the clean-up crews.

Hancock

Twice a year, the entire school travels, typically to a rural campground, on a student-run, adult-chaperoned trip called Hancock. Some students serve as Day Heads, overseeing work and activities for the day. Other students are Head Cooks, who plan meals for 200 people and direct crews of some dozen sous-chefs and waiters. Students also supervise and serve on clean-up crews.

Learn more about this cherished tradition.