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Excellent

#15 of 389 private schools in MA

Top 4% of private schools

Commonwealth School

High School

151 COMMONWEALTH AVE, Boston, MA 02116

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 15 schools in Boston. Learn more

Enrollment

148

Student-Teacher

4.5:1

Score

8.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Boston

#3 of 15

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#3 of 98

About Commonwealth School

Commonwealth School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 148 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 4.5:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Commonwealth School aims to provide a supportive learning environment.

Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10, the school is committed to continuous improvement and focuses on fostering a strong sense of community among students. Situated in a bustling city setting, Commonwealth School offers a unique blend of urban resources and neighborhood connections, providing ample opportunities for extracurricular activities and real-world experiences. Commonwealth School sits at the intersection of diverse cultural influences and dynamic educational possibilities, making it an integral part of Boston's vibrant academic landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 148 students, Commonwealth School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.5:1, Commonwealth 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, Commonwealth 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
$66,009
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$127,092
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.93x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
43%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$37.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 148 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Commonwealth School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Boston, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.5:1
This School
vs
10.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
148
This School
vs
732
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.2
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 43.2% vs 0%
Asian 34.5% vs 0%
Black 7.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.1% vs 0%
Commonwealth School Boston Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Commonwealth School (this school) 8.2
Snowden International High School 7.8
Quincy Upper School 8.4
Melvin H. King South End Academy 6.7
Boston Arts Academy 7.4
Boston Latin School 7.4
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (Horace Mann 7.1
MATCH Charter Public School 4.9
Margarita Muniz Academy 6.1

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)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,141
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 68%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 148
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 43.2%
Asian 34.5%
Two or More 10.8%
Black 7.4%
Hispanic 4.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

151 COMMONWEALTH AVE, Boston, MA 02116

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Commonwealth School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE NEWMAN SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Quincy Upper School (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THE NEWMAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Boston, see our Boston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
LEARNING PROJECT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boston 0.1 mi 8.1
Snowden International High School Boston 0.1 mi 7.8
KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston 0.1 mi 8.5
THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston 0.2 mi 8.6
THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston 0.2 mi 8.1
KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston 0.3 mi 6.3
PARK STREET SCHOOL Boston 0.4 mi 6.5
THE ADVENT SCHOOL Boston 0.5 mi 8.0
Melvin H. King South End Academy Boston 0.6 mi 6.7
Quincy Upper School Boston 0.5 mi 8.4
Boston Adult Tech Academy Back Bay 0.6 mi 7.6
Carter School Dorchester 0.9 mi 7.1
Blackstone Elementary School Boston 0.9 mi 5.7
Hurley K-8 School Boston 0.9 mi 6.1
Quincy Elementary School Boston 0.7 mi 9.2
Community Charter School of Cambridge Cambridge 1.1 mi 7.8
Boston Arts Academy Boston 1.0 mi 7.4
Kennedy-Longfellow Cambridge 1.3 mi 6.5
Vassal Lane Upper School Cambridge 1.3 mi 5.4
Orchard Gardens K-8 School Roxbury 1.5 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02116 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,309

Median Home Value

$1,583,500

Median Rent

$2,341/mo

Population

22,040

College Educated

76.9%

Homeownership

34.8%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Commonwealth School has a median household income of $127,309. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,583,500, with a median rent of $2,341/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. 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
THE MACDUFFIE SCHOOL Granby, MA 8.1
STONELEIGH-BURNHAM SCHOOL Greenfield, MA 8.0
CHAPEL HILL CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL Waltham, MA 7.8
Boston Adult Tech Academy Back Bay, MA 7.6
Lyon High School Brighton, MA 7.6
LEARNING PREP SCHOOL West Newton, MA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Commonwealth School

What grades does Commonwealth School serve?

Commonwealth School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Commonwealth School?

Commonwealth School has an enrollment of approximately 148 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Commonwealth School?

The student-teacher ratio at Commonwealth School is 4.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Commonwealth School rank in MA?

Commonwealth School is ranked #15 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Commonwealth School's MySchoolScout rating?

Commonwealth School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Commonwealth School a private school?

Yes, Commonwealth 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 Commonwealth School a religious school?

No, Commonwealth School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
99 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
84 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
148
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
163 days
Setting
Large City
County
SUFFOLK
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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