Excellent
#15 of 389 private schools in MA
Top 4% of private schools
Commonwealth School
High School
151 COMMONWEALTH AVE, Boston, MA 02116
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
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher
4.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Commonwealth School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Boston, MA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (540) 460-0337
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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