Buxton School

291 South Street
Williamstown, MA 01267
Buxton is an intentionally small, coeducational, boarding and day school, situated on a historic family estate in Williamstown, Massachusetts, amid the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains.
Founded over 80 years ago as a progressive school, we believe a student`s whole experience here is part of their education and what goes on outside the classroom is just as important as what goes on inside.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 50 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $65,000
  • Average class size: 7 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Buxton School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 279 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
Buxton School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1928
1907
Campus Size
120 acres
125 acres
Colors
White, Green
School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment
50 students
315 students
% Students of Color
35%
26%
% International Students
14%
21%
% Students Boarding
90%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
7 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
60%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$3 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$65,000
$66,920
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
n/a
$35,900
Tuition international students
$65,000
$58,300
% Students on Financial Aid
35%
39%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$29,000
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Admissions

Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
No
Director of Admissions
Tim Custer
Application URL

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
5
16

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
14
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Mutual Aid Club, PoC Union, Radio

Arts and Music Programs:
Ceramics Club, Chamber, Chorus, Creative Writing, Photography, Studio Arts, The Jazz Band, Theater, Video Production

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Skiing, Snowboarding

School Notes

  • School Motto: Not provided
  • Buxton is an intentionally small, coeducational, boarding and day school, situated on a historic family estate in Williamstown, Massachusetts, amid the beauty of the Berkshire mountains. Founded over 90 years ago as a progressive school, we believe a student`s whole experience here is part of their education and what goes on outside the classroom is just as important as what goes on inside.
  • Students are nurtured and challenged intellectually, artistically, emotionally and morally. We accomplish this through rigorous academics, a varied and active arts program, a caring faculty and a community of people who all work to create a growth-promoting, meaningful experience for students.
  • At Buxton we not only believe in community, we live it, day in and day out. Family-style meals, wake-up or bed-check, Friday night recreation, raking leaves together, or going to the local coffeehouse to chat help us create a compelling community of learners, workers, thinkers and artists. Buxton thrives on a fusion of races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, personalities and talents. Our intimate, diverse culture helps students form meaningful relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds. The differences we bring to Buxton serve to enrich all that we experience at school and in the larger world. Our outstanding college admission record is not an end in itself but rather a natural outcome of the demanding academics and varied life we live at Buxton.
  • Buxton School accreditations: NAIS, NEASC, MA DEPT. OF ED.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Peter Shumlin - Governor of Vermont
    • Christian Parenti - Journalist and writer
    • Philip Rickey - Sculptor
    • Justin Theroux - Actor
    • Frank Wood - Actor
    • Marco Williams - Documentary Film Maker
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Buxton School cost?
Buxton School's tuition is approximately $65,000 for boarding students.
Who are famous alumni from Buxton School?
Buxton School famous alumni include: Peter Shumlin, Christian Parenti, Philip Rickey, Justin Theroux, Frank Wood and Marco Williams.
What sports does Buxton School offer?
Buxton School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Dance, Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee.
What is Buxton School's ranking?
Buxton School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small student body (number of students) and Small average class sizes.
When is the application deadline for Buxton School?
The application deadline for Buxton School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 1980
5.00
Columbia
The all school trip to a city in the U.S. or foreign country for a week to ten days during which students put on a play for the public and complete a project relevant to. . .

Class of 2007
5.00
Hampshire College
Buxton is a small and special school. They focus on the arts but are not technically an art school. It’s set on an old property and is very pretty. One of the special things, is. . .

Class of 2013
5.00
Univeristy to Lübeck
For me, Buxton school felt like home away from home. I was a day student my first year, and was surprised at how quickly I realized that I wanted to board there. The feeling of. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 50 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $65,000
  • Average class size: 7 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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