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Average

#293 of 389 private schools in MA

Gifford School

High School

177 BOSTON POST RD, Weston, MA 02493

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

90

Student-Teacher

5.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Weston

#4 of 4

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#77 of 98

About Gifford School

Gifford School is a high school located in Weston, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County, serving students in grades 5 through 12. With an enrollment of 90 students and 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, supporting a deliberately small and individualized learning community. The school operates as a regular public school in a large suburban area.

Academic performance data and standardized test scores are not currently available through MySchoolScout. The surrounding 02493 ZIP code is among the wealthiest in New England, with a median household income of $250,001 and a median home value of $1,434,000. An exceptional 82% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 5.4%.

Weston is a storied suburb west of Boston known for its expansive estates, conservation land, and highly educated community, offering a well-resourced and low-density setting that complements the school's mission to provide personalized education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 90 students, Gifford 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 5.3:1, Gifford 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, Gifford 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
$90,905
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$90,368
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.99x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
87%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$7.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 90 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Gifford School compares to the 5 public schools in Weston, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.3:1
This School
vs
12.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
90
This School
vs
407
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.4
This School
vs
9.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.4% vs 0%
Black 3.3% vs 0%
Asian 1.1% vs 0%
Gifford School Weston Public Avg

All Schools in Weston

School Rating
Gifford School (this school) 5.4
Country 9.6
Field Elementary School 9.1
Woodland 9.1
Weston Middle 8.3
Weston High 9.6

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- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 2.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,080
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 19%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 90
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 90.0%
Hispanic 4.4%
Black 3.3%
Asian 1.1%
Two or More 1.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

177 BOSTON POST RD, Weston, MA 02493

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gifford School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Weston High (rated 9.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHAPEL HILL CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Waltham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEARNING PREP SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby West Newton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Weston, see our Weston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
MEADOWBROOK SCHOOL OF WESTON Weston 0.9 mi 9.0
THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL OF WESTON Weston 1.3 mi 7.1
Country Weston 1.0 mi 9.6
Field Elementary School Weston 1.0 mi 9.1
Woodland Weston 1.2 mi 9.1
William F. Stanley Elementary School Waltham 1.3 mi 5.8
MILESTONES DAY SCHOOL Waltham 2.2 mi 6.9
Weston Middle Weston 2.4 mi 8.3
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School Waltham 2.0 mi 5.6
Williams Auburndale 2.3 mi 8.3
Weston High Weston 2.4 mi 9.6
C C Burr Auburndale 2.1 mi 8.4
Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program Waltham 2.1 mi 5.1
THE TREMONT SCHOOL Weston 2.7 mi
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Waltham 2.9 mi 7.8
ST JOHN SCHOOL Wellesley 3.1 mi 6.7
John W. McDevitt Middle School Waltham 2.4 mi 6.1
CHAPEL HILL CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL Waltham 2.6 mi 7.8
Henry Whittemore Elementary School Waltham 2.5 mi 6.3
LEARNING PREP SCHOOL West Newton 2.7 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02493 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$1,586,100

Median Rent

$2,168/mo

Population

11,443

College Educated

84.4%

Homeownership

90.4%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gifford School has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,586,100, with a median rent of $2,168/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Chelsea Opportunity Academy Chelsea, MA 5.3
FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton, MA 5.3
Westfield Virtual School Westfield, MA 5.6
Ma Academy for Math and Science School Worcester, MA 5.1
RISE Academy Lawrence, MA 5.1
ST MARY'S PARISH SCHOOL - SECONDARY Westfield, MA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gifford School

What grades does Gifford School serve?

Gifford School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Gifford School?

Gifford School has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gifford School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gifford School is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Gifford School rank in MA?

Gifford School is ranked #293 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Gifford School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gifford School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Gifford School a private school?

Yes, Gifford 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 Gifford School a religious school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (415/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
90
Gender Split
74% M / 26% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
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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