British International School of Boston vs The Newman School
British International School of Boston and The Newman School are both in Boston, about 6 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and British International School of Boston also offers IEYC, British, IPC and Cambridge IGCSE. Published annual fees are $25,468 - 51,291 at British International School of Boston and $44,500 - 78,500 at The Newman School, which puts The Newman School roughly 60% higher. British International School of Boston takes pupils from 1 to 18, and The Newman School from 12 to 18. British International School of Boston is the larger school, with around 500 pupils to The Newman School's 265.
IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Curriculum
IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
500
Pupils
265
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2000
Opened
1945
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The BISB campus is in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, on the border with Brookline. The address is 416 Pond Street, Boston, MA 02130. The campus spans 40 acres of green woodland with a purpose-built school building and dedicated year-group floors.
Location
247 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA 02116.
Stages
Stages
Ages 18 months–18 years. Early Years: 18 months–4 years; Lower School: 5–10; Middle School: 11–13; High School: 14–18.
Stages
Grades 7-12
School type
School type
The school is a private day school.
School type
Independent boarding school (private) for grades 7-12
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
More than 80 nationalities represented. Approximately 75% of students are local to Boston; 25% are expatriates from England, Spain, Russia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and China. More than 20 languages spoken by families.
Pupil nationality mix
40 countries represented; 18% international students; 23 languages spoken.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
English-language support is available for students.
Additional learning support
Student Success Center
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
United States
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs 8:20 am–3:30 pm. Early drop-off starts at 7:30 am, and after-school care runs from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus transportation is offered from multiple spots in greater Boston, including downtown Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Needham, Waltham, Dedham, and Wellesley.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Summary — 2026–2027 school fees (British International School of Boston)
Annual tuition by year group (2026–2027) - Toddler (5 full days): USD 37,933. - Toddler (5 half days, 8:20–11:45 am): USD 25,468. - Nursery (5 full days): USD 38,833. - Nursery (5 half days, 8:20–11:45 am): USD 25,584. - Reception (Pre‑Kindergarten): USD 41,531. - Year 1 (Kindergarten) & Year 2 (1st grade): USD 46,040. - Year 3 & Year 4 (2nd & 3rd grade): USD 47,341. - Year 5 & Year 6 (4th & 5th grade): USD 48,228. - Year 7 to Year 9 (6th–8th grade): USD 49,650. - Year 10 & Year 11 (9th & 10th grade): USD 51,291. - Year 12 & Year 13 (11th & 12th grade): USD 51,291.
Per‑term tuition (three terms: Fall, Winter, Spring) — amounts rounded to nearest USD - The school operates on a three‑term academic calendar (Fall, Winter, Spring); the per‑term figures below are the annual tuition divided by three and rounded to the nearest dollar. - Toddler (5 full days): USD 12,644 per term. - Toddler (5 half days): USD 8,489 per term. - Nursery (5 full days): USD 12,944 per term. - Nursery (5 half days): USD 8,528 per term. - Reception: USD 13,844 per term. - Year 1 & Year 2: USD 15,347 per term. - Year 3 & Year 4: USD 15,780 per term. - Year 5 & Year 6: USD 16,076 per term. - Year 7–9: USD 16,550 per term. - Year 10 & Year 11: USD 17,097 per term. - Year 12 & Year 13: USD 17,097 per term.
Application and one‑time fees - Application fee: USD 100 (one‑time, non‑refundable). - Contract deposit: USD 2,000 (non‑refundable but applied directly to the year's first tuition payment). - New student fee (one‑time): USD 3,000 (non‑refundable). - Exam fees: USD 1,850 (charged for Year 11) and USD 1,850 (charged for Year 13).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency choices: one payment (annual), two instalments, or monthly instalments. The first payment is due by June 1 (or upon enrollment if after June 1). For two instalments, the second instalment is due by November 1. For monthly instalments, payments are due on the first of each month beginning June 1 (or upon enrollment if after June 1) with final payments completed by March 1. - Contract deposit (USD 2,000) is applied to the year's first tuition payment and is non‑refundable.
Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods: credit card, check, or wire transfer. An online payment portal is available for credit card and ACH/eCheck payments; ACH/direct bank transfers and domestic/international wire transfer instructions are provided.
Other costs that parents should expect - Early care: USD 10 per day (early care is available; charges applied via the school's payment system). Aftercare (3:30–6:00 pm) and many after‑school clubs and activities carry additional charges; parents are billed for actual sign‑ups and usage. School Buddy (the school's payment system) is used for sign‑ups and payments for lunch, clubs, early/after care, and trips. - School lunch: school lunch is available for purchase; families may alternatively provide packed lunches. Lunch is signed up and paid for through the school's payment portal. - Uniform: uniforms are mandatory for Toddlers through Year 11; Lands' End is the uniform provider for general uniform items and BSN Sports supplies PE kit. Families purchase uniforms directly from those suppliers. Costs for uniforms vary by item and are paid by families. - School bus / transportation: the school operates multiple bus routes; a separate bus fee applies when families use the school bus (specific route fees and registration details are administered through the school). - Field trips, certain extra‑curricular external providers, individual instrument tuition or optional external exam fees (beyond the stated exam charges) may incur additional charges; these are billed separately when applicable.
Boarding - The British International School of Boston is a private day school; boarding is not offered.
Refund information (items specifically stated as non‑refundable) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Contract deposit: non‑refundable (but credited toward the first tuition payment). New student fee: non‑refundable. These non‑refundable items are applied as described above at enrollment.
Notes on billing mechanics and chargeable items - Many optional services (early care, aftercare, clubs, lunch, trips) are charged through the school's payment system on an as‑used or sign‑up basis. Parents receive invoices and statements from the school's billing office; payment routing and wire/ACH instructions are supplied by the school's business office.
(End of fee overview.)
Fee details
Application fees - The school does not publish a separate, school-specific application fee on its admissions pages; applications are submitted through Ravenna or SAO.
Deposit - Enrollment deposit: USD 3,000 due upon signing the enrollment contract for new families; for returning families the deposit is due no later than March 1 for the following school year. The deposit is deducted from total tuition and is non-refundable.
Tuition fees (annual) by student type and year group - Domestic day students (Grades 7–Postgraduate): USD 36,000 per year. - International day students (F‑1 applicants, must live with parent(s)): USD 44,000 per year, plus an International Fee of USD 8,000 for F‑1 visa holders. - Boarding (Grades 9–Postgraduate) — U.S. residency: USD 72,000 per year. - Boarding (Grades 9–Postgraduate) — International residency (F‑1): USD 72,000 per year plus an International Fee of USD 8,000. - Student Success Center (Tier 3 support, where applicable): USD 8,000 (additional).
Fees and recurring charges (other mandatory and common costs) - Activity fee: USD 500 per year. - Student debit account / incidentals: USD 500 required on enrollment (this account covers field trips, sports charges, and other incidental charges); families are also charged a USD 500 fee at the start of each school year for incidentals accrued throughout the year. - 11th Grade IB resources (Year 1): USD 350 (one-time). - 12th Grade IB resources, testing and graduation fees (Year 2): USD 750 (one-time). - Books and course materials: approximately USD 500 per year (students must supply a personal computer; computers are not included in tuition). - Optional costs not included in tuition: international or optional field trips, some athletic equipment, optional sports fees, and optional club fees. - International students are required to maintain health insurance; boarding includes enrollment in TeleHealth with One Medical as part of boarding services.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Deposit: USD 3,000 due at contract signing for new families and no later than March 1 for returning families; deducted from tuition and non-refundable. - Domestic families (U.S. citizens or holders of non‑F‑1 visas/Green Cards) have two standard payment options: - One Payment Plan: pay 100% of tuition no later than May 1. - Multiple Payment Plan: equal-percentage installments spread up to September 1; available installment start dates include April 1, May 1, June 1, July 1, August 1, and September 1 (number of payments depends on enrollment date). - International families (F‑1 visa holders) must pay 100% of tuition upon contract signing and enrollment; I‑20 issuance is completed after payment, passport photo and proof of health insurance are submitted.
Boarding-specific notes - Boarding tuition includes dormitory services; TeleHealth with One Medical is included in boarding costs. International boarding students must have health insurance in addition to any coverage included in boarding. Expected boarding capacity and dormitory locations are published in school materials.
Refund information - The enrollment deposit (USD 3,000) is explicitly non-refundable and is applied toward the total tuition. Other refund terms for tuition or fees are governed by the enrollment contract and school billing policies.
Payment methods and billing contact - The school accepts bank/wire transfers for tuition and deposits (Flywire is provided as a payment channel for tuition/deposit wires). Families should coordinate billing and payment details with the School Business Manager. Billing questions may be directed to the School Business Manager, Marta O'Malley, at 617‑267‑4530 x113.
Summary of what tuition does not include - Personal computer, annual books (~USD 500), optional international/extra field trips, select athletic equipment, optional sports fees, and optional club fees.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Preschool follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) of the English National Curriculum and is aligned with the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC). Learning is play-based and includes Forest School experiences; specialist French and music are delivered within the program. Lower School (ages 5–10) teaches a combination of the National Curriculum of England and the International Primary Curriculum, with a cross-curricular, thematic approach and specialist language lessons (French or Spanish). Middle School (ages 11–13) follows the National Curriculum of England, offering a broad range of subjects and an enrichment program that links to international experiences; it prepares students for IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme in High School. High School (ages 14–18) offers IGCSEs in Years 10–11 and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12–13; the IGCSE is a two-year, ten-subject program, and the IB Diploma core includes service, an extended essay, and critical thinking. BISB integrates global opportunities through Nord Anglia Education, with collaborations via Global Campus and partners such as MIT and Juilliard.
Curriculum details
The International Baccalaureate pedagogy is at the core of The Newman School's curriculum. The program begins in Grade 7 and continues through Grade 12, with the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 7–10 and the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12. By Grade 11, students choose one of three academic paths, all leading to the Newman High School Diploma. Newman Diploma: students take a minimum of five classes in 11th and 12th grades, which can be IB DP courses or a mix of IB DP and non-IB electives, and may include the IB Core. IB Diploma: six DP courses over two years, with 3–4 at Higher Level (HL) and the remainder at Standard Level (SL); the DP Core comprises Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS); Extended Essay (EE); and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Course groups include Studies in Language and Literature (English), Language Acquisition (French, Latin, Spanish), Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
1:5
Student teacher ratio
6:1
Exam results
Exam results
IB Diploma results for Class of 2025: 96% pass rate; average 34.4 points; 16% of students achieved 40+ points. These results significantly exceed global averages.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates go on to attend leading universities around the world, including Harvard University, the University of Oxford, McGill University, and University College London, among others.
Higher education progression
The Newman School offers a robust college counseling program with experienced counselors and extensive college resources. The program includes 65+ American and international college representative visits to Newman. Recent college acceptances span many leading universities, including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston College, Tufts University, University of Michigan, University of Toronto, Princeton University, and other global institutions.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Contact BISB. Submit the inquiry form online, email the Admissions team, or call the Admissions office to begin the process. The Admissions team is available to answer questions and guide families through BISB's admissions process. They will help you understand the documents required and what happens next.
2. Discover our school. Visit BISB in person or join a Virtual Discovery Meeting with the Director of Admissions, who will share BISB's personalized approach to learning and answer your questions. You'll tell BISB more about your child, your family, and what you're looking for. The Director will provide details about BISB's programs and admissions steps.
3. Apply for a place. Submit the online application form and the required supporting documents for your child. These documents include your child's report cards and evaluations, and, for Middle and High Schoolers, standardized test results. There are key admissions dates for 2026-27: Application Deadline January 15, 2026; Admissions Decisions Released March 10, 2026; Enrollment Deadline April 10, 2026. We also continue accepting applications throughout the school year to fill spaces that remain open.
Admissions
Step 1: Two diploma options are available: the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB DP) and The Newman Diploma. The Newman Diploma mixes high-level and standard-level courses with requirements outside of coursework, including the extended essay and creativity, action and service. The IB pedagogy informs the curriculum, and students strive to embody the IB learner profile (inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, reflective). Step 2: AP courses are not offered, but students may take AP exams alongside their IB work. All applicants must submit results from a standardized test; accepted options include the HSPT, ISEE, SSAT, PSAT, ACT, or SAT. Candidates whose primary language is not English may also submit English proficiency test results; the Duolingo English Test is preferred, though TOEFL and IELTS are also accepted. Step 3: Applications have two deadlines: Priority Applications due December 5, 2025; Standard Applications due January 31, 2026; Financial Aid Applications due January 15, 2026. Decision release dates are December 12, 2025 for Priority and March 10, 2026 for Standard and Financial Aid. To apply, click the Apply button at the bottom of any page; inquiries, visits, and applications are handled through the My Newman Ravenna hub (Inquire, Visit, Apply). Step 4: The Newman School has 260 students in grades 7–12/PG; 25–30 students in grades 7–8 and 45–60 students in grades 9–12/PG. Boarding is available; the school announced the purchase of 300 Newbury St. for a dormitory for the 2025–2026 year, with an anticipated 50–60 boarding students, offering both 5-day and 7-day options, and two dorms on Beacon Street with live-in dorm parents.
Scholarships
Scholarships
BISB's 2025 graduating class received offers from more than 100 top universities and was awarded $2.53 million in scholarships.
Scholarships
The Newman School provides financial aid; approximately 40% of students receive financial aid. Aid is awarded based on demonstrated financial need, with families completing the Clarity application via The Family Application Guide. Financial aid decisions are made in tandem with admissions, with renewal grants prioritized; families must reapply annually using Clarity. Financial aid funds come from the school's operating budget, foundation grants, and major donors.