International School of Boston vs The Newman School

	I International School of Boston Boston, United States	T The Newman School Boston, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $29,500 - 51,260	Fees / year $44,500 - 78,500
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 12 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 575	Pupils 265
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language French, English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1962	Opened 1945
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ISB is located at 45 Matignon Road, Cambridge, MA 02140. The historic Cambridge campus sits at the Cambridge–Somerville–Arlington border, minutes from downtown Boston. MBTA bus stops are within walking distance and two nearby Red Line stations (Alewife and Davis Square) are accessible on foot. ISB provides two bus options: its Private Bus Service and Cambridge Public Schools bus service for Cambridge residents.	Location 247 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA 02116.
Stages	Stages Preschool through Grade 12	Stages Grades 7-12
School type	School type Independent, non-profit private day school	School type Independent boarding school (private) for grades 7-12
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Total nationalities represented: 32. Nationality breakdown: United States 68%, France 23%, other nationalities 9%.	Pupil nationality mix 40 countries represented; 18% international students; 23 languages spoken.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support ISB provides Inclusive Learning and related student support services, including guidance, advisory programs, and access to health and wellness resources.	Additional learning support Student Success Center
Country affiliation	Country affiliation France (French Baccalaureate program homologué by the French Ministry of Education; ISB is connected to AEFE and related French education networks)	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Upper School schedules start at 8:00 AM and end between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM, depending on course selection.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details ISB offers two private bus routes via a transportation partner; Cambridge Public Schools bus service is available for Cambridge residents; campus is served by MBTA bus lines 87, 88, and 89 and is near Alewife and Davis Square stations.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Annual tuition by grade (2026–2027 academic year) - Half-Day Preschool (Toute Petite Section and Pre-K only, mornings only): USD 29,500. - Preschool (TPS, Pre-K, Mid-K) and Kindergarten: USD 36,880. - Lower School (Grades 1–5): USD 40,770. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): USD 43,000. - Upper School (Grades 9–12): USD 51,260. Application / admission charges - Matriculation fee (one-time, non-refundable, not applied toward tuition): USD 2,000 for the first new student; USD 1,500 for the second child; USD 1,000 for any additional children. - Annual re-enrollment deposit (non-refundable, applied toward tuition): USD 2,000 per student. Tuition payment schedule and payment terms (dates shown are the stated due dates for the 2026–2027 cycle) - Option 1: Payment of tuition in full by June 5, 2026. - Option 2: Two installments — 60% of the annual tuition due by June 5, 2026, and the remaining 40% due by November 5, 2026. Example amounts by grade under Option 2: - Half-Day Preschool: 60% = USD 17,700; 40% = USD 11,800. - Preschool & K: 60% = USD 22,128; 40% = USD 14,752. - Lower School: 60% = USD 24,462; 40% = USD 16,308. - Middle School: 60% = USD 25,800; 40% = USD 17,200. - Upper School: 60% = USD 30,756; 40% = USD 20,504. - Option 3: Ten monthly installments (June 2026 through March 2027). Monthly payment examples (annual tuition divided by 10) plus a yearly flat administrative fee of USD 40 billed by Veracross: - Half-Day Preschool: USD 2,950 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Preschool & K: USD 3,688 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Lower School: USD 4,077 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Middle School: USD 4,300 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Upper School: USD 5,126 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - All matriculation fees, re-enrollment deposits, and tuition payments are completed through the school's Veracross billing system. Methods of payment accepted include checking/savings accounts drawn on a U.S. bank, wire transfer, and credit cards. Additional and recurring charges (typical items billed separately or based on participation) - Textbooks / media (Grades 6–12) and examination fees (Grades 11–12) are billed separately. Typical estimates: Grades 6–10 average ~USD 350 per year; Grades 11–12 (French Baccalaureate) ~USD 500 per year; International Baccalaureate fees up to ~USD 1,000 covering two years. - Examination fee estimates: Grade 11 (French program) registration ~USD 280; Grade 12 (French program) registration ~USD 340 plus ~USD 270 for the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI); Grade 12 (IB DP) ~USD 750 total. - Global Learning Program (overnight and curriculum trips) anticipated fees (cover transportation and accommodations when applicable): Grades 1–2: USD 300; Grades 3–4: USD 500; Grade 5: USD 1,200; Grades 6–8: USD 1,000. Grade 9 and Grade 12 GLP costs are covered by the school; Grades 10–11 GLP fee: USD 400. - Extended day / after-school: Garderie (TPS through Grade 5) USD 14.00 per hour; Middle School study hall USD 15.00 per hour or an annual flat fee of USD 900. - Extracurricular activities and overnight trips are billed based on participation; Upper School varsity teams carry no participation cost. - Private ISB bus service and the hot lunch program are optional and billed upon participation. The hot lunch program is provided by an external catering company and is billed separately. Boarding / homestay (where offered by the school) - ISB Housing Program (host-family room and board, supervised by ISB) for Upper School international and domestic students: USD 25,000 for room and board from August 25, 2026 to June 30, 2027. This fee includes day field trips, the ISB lunch program, a monthly public transportation pass, the yearbook, and, if applicable, the new student orientation program in August. Uniforms and other school supplies - Preschool (Pre-K, Mid-K) and Kindergarten: supplies included in the listed tuition. - Lower School: all supplies included in the listed tuition. - Textbooks and media for Grades 6–12 are billed separately (see textbook estimates above). Uniform costs (where applicable) and personal supplies vary and are generally family-paid; extracurricular equipment, travel clothing, and optional program materials are billed separately when required. Refunds and non-refundable items - The matriculation fee is one-time and non-refundable. - The annual re-enrollment deposit is non-refundable but is applied toward tuition. - Other refund specifics for tuition installments or program fees are not listed in the school's tuition summary document; the only explicitly stated non-refundable items are the matriculation fee and the re-enrollment deposit. Fee payment channels and administrative notes - All matriculation fees, re-enrollment deposits, and tuition payments are processed through Veracross. - Accepted payment methods: checking/savings account drawn on a U.S. bank, wire transfer, or credit card. - The ten-month payment plan carries a yearly flat administrative fee of USD 40 billed via Veracross.	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 —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details ISB is a bilingual French-English school. From Maternelle through Upper School, the curriculum offers two internationally recognized diplomas: the French Baccalaureate or the International Baccalaureate (IB) taught in English. The Elementary/Maternelle program teaches in French and English; in Maternelle the French Ministry of Education curriculum is combined with Massachusetts Common Core Preschool and Kindergarten standards; Lower School has accreditation from the French Ministry of Education. In Middle School, classes are taught in French and English, with options to emphasize either language and to pursue IB or French Baccalaureate tracks. In Upper School, students choose between the French Baccalaureate or IB, with additional language options including Spanish, German, and Mandarin.	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 —	Student teacher ratio 6:1
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression ISB's College Counseling Office supports students with higher education planning across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and parts of the Middle East and Asia. ISB students matriculate to many of the nation's and the world's top colleges and universities, with geographically diverse matriculation the most in New England.	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 —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions ISB has four steps in its admissions process: Inquire, Visit, Apply, Enroll. Step 1 Inquire: complete a brief inquiry form to join the mailing list and hear about upcoming ISB events. Step 2 Visit: ISB offers campus tours, on-campus and virtual Open House events, Secondary School Shadow Days, and virtual campus visits; local families are encouraged to participate in on-campus programming. Step 3 Apply: applications are submitted online through Ravenna with no application fee; priority review is given to applications received by January 15; siblings of current students receive priority if their application is submitted by December 15; January 15 is the application deadline for priority review and the financial aid deadline. Step 4 Enroll: decisions are released by March 10; enrollment confirmations are due by April 10; ISB accepts applications year-round depending on space and student qualifications; applicants admitted after April 10 will have one week to respond to an offer of admission. Application materials vary by grade (Preschool & Kindergarten, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School) with language considerations and testing requirements as described.	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 ISB offers financial aid based on demonstrated need. The financial aid application is separate from the admission application and uses Clarity; deadlines are returning families December 15, 2025 and new families January 15, 2026. Awards are grants (not loans) and are based on demonstrated need and available funding; awards may cover tuition and other costs such as books, transportation, clubs, and exam fees. Returning families' aid is typically released with reenrollment in February 2026; new families' aid is released with the admissions decision and enrollment contract on March 10, 2026. Financial aid awards are renewable with annual reapplication. Financial aid is not available for students requiring an I-20 or who participate in ISB's homestay program. ISB may offer French government scholarships (Bourses Scolaires Françaises) for eligible French citizens, and the ISB Financial Aid Program may supplement government funding. The school also offers a ten-month payment plan for families in the financial aid program.	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.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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