School Profile

• SAT: The median SAT composite score for the Class of 2025 is 1450. 
• 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 2024, 77% of AP test scores were 4 or 5; 95% 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 34 students in the Class of 2024, 100% were admitted to one or more of their preferred colleges; 74% were accepted to highly selective schools.

Since 2019, the most popular colleges and universities attended by graduates are Boston College, Brandeis, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Emory, Harvard, Haverford, Johns Hopkins, New York University, Northeastern, Northwestern, Rhode Island School of Design, Smith, Tufts, UC Berkeley, University of Chicago, UMass Amherst, Washington University in St. Louis, and Wellesley. 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; about 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 student clubs and extracurriculars.

Community Service

Students must complete 20 hours of community service in order to graduate. They typically do so by the end of sophomore year, and many exceed the requirement.

Learn more about community service at Commonwealth.

Project Week

Every year, students in grades 9–11 design and complete a one-week project or participate in a two-week international trip. 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 Program

All students spend twenty minutes once a week or forty minutes every other week tidying our building, typically on a crew that cleans up the kitchen and lunchroom. 

Learn more about the Jobs Program.

Hancock

Twice a year, the entire school travels 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.