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Below Average

#342 of 389 private schools in MA

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

School

80 GERRYS LANDING RD, Cambridge, MA 02138

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 20 schools in Cambridge. Learn more

Enrollment

1,407

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Cambridge

#7 of 7

public schools

Massachusetts schools

#78 of 80

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

# BUCKINGHAM BROWNE & NICHOLS SCHOOL Buckingham Browne & Nichols School serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an enrollment of 1,407 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, supported by 145 full-time equivalent teachers, which allows for relatively individualized attention across its grades. The school ranks 87th out of 389 schools in Massachusetts, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide.

This positioning reflects a school with room for academic growth as it continues to develop its programs and support systems for students across the full PK-12 spectrum. Located on Gerrys Landing Road in Cambridge's mid-size city setting, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School draws families seeking education options in a vibrant academic community. The combination of lower grade levels through high school in one institution offers continuity for families, though parents evaluating the school should consider their specific academic and programmatic priorities alongside the school's current performance metrics.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$48,174
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$46,071
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.96x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
89%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$258.9M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 1,407 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Buckingham Browne & Nichols School compares to 20 public schools serving similar grades in Cambridge, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
This School
vs
9.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
1,407
This School
vs
422
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
8.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 83.5% vs 0%
Asian 2.9% vs 0%
Black 1.4% vs 0%
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School Cambridge Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (this school) 4.9
Haggerty 9.3
Graham and Parks 9.4
Maria L. Baldwin 9.9
Putnam Avenue Upper School 8.7
Martin Luther King Jr. 9.9
Cambridge Rindge and Latin 9.0
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School 8.7
Rindge Avenue Upper School 9.3
Peabody 7.0
Amigos School 9.0
Morse 9.2
John M Tobin 9.2
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School 5.4
Cambridgeport 9.1
Fletcher/Maynard Academy 5.4
King Open 7.1
Cambridge Street Upper School 7.9
Kennedy-Longfellow 6.5
Vassal Lane Upper School 5.4
Community Charter School of Cambridge 7.8

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,316
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 29%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 1,407
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 83.5%
Two or More 11.1%
Asian 2.9%
Black 1.4%
Pacific Islander 1.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

80 GERRYS LANDING RD, Cambridge, MA 02138

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buckingham Browne & Nichols School may also want to explore other schools in the area. KENNEDY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Brighton), which scores notably higher. Another option is GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BOSTON (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Boston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Horace Mann School for the Deaf Hard of Hearing (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Allston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
SHADY HILL SCHOOL Cambridge 0.1 mi 7.4
Gardner Pilot Academy Allston 0.8 mi 8.3
ST PETER SCHOOL Cambridge 0.7 mi 6.6
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BOSTON Boston 0.8 mi 7.4
Graham and Parks Cambridge 1.0 mi 9.4
CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL Cambridge 1.1 mi 7.4
ATRIUM SCHOOL Watertown 0.9 mi 6.7
Haggerty Cambridge 1.0 mi 9.3
Horace Mann School for the Deaf Hard of Hearing Allston 1.3 mi 7.1
SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge 1.1 mi 7.8
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School Cambridge 1.4 mi 8.7
ST JOSEPH PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Boston 1.4 mi 6.7
ST JOSEPH PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Brighton 1.4 mi 7.8
Peabody Cambridge 1.5 mi 7.0
Rindge Avenue Upper School Cambridge 1.5 mi 9.3
Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge 1.2 mi 9.9
ST STEPHEN'S ARMENIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown 1.2 mi 5.3
KENNEDY DAY SCHOOL Brighton 1.5 mi 7.8
Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge 1.2 mi 8.7
MALIK ACADEMY/ AL BUSTAN PRESCHOOL Cambridge 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02138 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,040

Median Home Value

$1,088,700

Median Rent

$2,799/mo

Population

38,077

College Educated

85.6%

Homeownership

40.9%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

28.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buckingham Browne & Nichols School has a median household income of $122,040. It is a well-educated community where 86% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,088,700, with a median rent of $2,799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
MATCH Charter Public School Boston, MA 4.9
KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School Lynn, MA 4.8
South Shore Charter Public School Norwell, MA 4.8
Neighborhood House Charter School Dorchester, MA 5.1
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge, MA 5.4
Greater Commonwealth Virtual School Greenfield, MA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

What grades does Buckingham Browne & Nichols School serve?

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Buckingham Browne & Nichols School?

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School has an enrollment of approximately 1,407 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School?

The student-teacher ratio at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Buckingham Browne & Nichols School rank in MA?

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is ranked #342 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Buckingham Browne & Nichols School's MySchoolScout rating?

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School has a composite rating of 4.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Buckingham Browne & Nichols School a private school?

Yes, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Buckingham Browne & Nichols School a religious school?

No, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
61 Good Transit
Bike Score
86 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,093/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cambridge). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
1,407
Gender Split
4% M / 96% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
145
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
188 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
MIDDLESEX
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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