Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Walnut Hill School for the Arts

5.00 (3 reviews)
12 Highland Street Natick MA 01760
Tel: (508) 650-5020
www.walnuthillarts.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 270 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $87,320
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $68,525
  • Acceptance rate: 54%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / Feb. 10 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Walnut Hill School for the Arts Photo #4
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Walnut Hill School for the Arts Photo #7
Walnut Hill School for the Arts Photo #8
Walnut Hill School for the Arts Photo #9
Walnut Hill School for the Arts Photo #10
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About the School

  • Walnut Hill School for the Arts is an independent boarding and day high school where exceptional artistic training and a rigorous college-preparatory education come together. Students pursue immersive conservatory-style training in Dance, Theater, Music, Visual Arts, and Writing, Film & Media Arts while building the academic skills needed for success in college and beyond. Small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a supportive community encourage creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and personal growth. With students from across the United States and around the world, Walnut Hill fosters an inclusive environment where young artists develop confidence, resilience, and their unique creative voice. Graduates leave prepared for leading colleges, universities, and conservatories-and equipped with the adaptability and leadership skills to make a meaningful impact in any field.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 270 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $87,320
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $68,525
  • Acceptance rate: 54%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / Feb. 10 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Upcoming Events

School Overview

2026 School Data
Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
Pre-prof. Arts / College-prep
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1893
1906
Campus Size
40 acres
125 acres
Last Day of School
Fri. May 28, 2027
School Motto
Non Nobis Solum — Not for Ourselves Alone

Student Body

Enrollment
270 students
320 students
% Students of Color
30%
27%
% International Students
30%
21%
% Students Boarding
70%
65%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
63%
73%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
Accreditations
Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$19 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$87,320
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$68,525
$40,000
% Students on Financial Aid
42%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$47,744
(Day ave: $33,770 ; Boarding ave $45,000)
$25,000

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Dec. 1 / Feb. 10 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
54%
64%
Director of Admissions
Anthony Gault
Associate Director of Admissions
Matthew Wiggin
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

Colors
Purple, White

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
30
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Asian American AllianceBlack Student Union
Christian Student UnionCinema Club
Community ServiceCrochet Club
Dance ClubDisabilities Advocacy Group
Dungeons and DragonsEnvironment Club
Gender Sexuality AllianceJewish Student Union
JournalismLatine
Literary ClubMath Competition Club
Mental Health InitiativeMosaic
Outing ClubSew Giving
sister2sisterSouth Asian Affinity Group
Student GovernmentSWEAT Club
The Blue PencilThe Brotherhood
Walnut Hill Arts Action TeamWellness and Mindfulness
YearbookYoga

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • Walnut Hill School for the Arts is an independent boarding and day high school offering an immersive and intensive educational experience designed for student artists in Grades 912, with a postgraduate gap year also available. We offer world-class training in Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Writing, Film & Media Arts (WFMA), complemented by an innovative college-prep academic curriculum. Located on a safe and classic New England campus, we are situated right outside the cultural hub of Boston.
  • Every aspect of our program promotes our students' growth as bold artists, curious learners, and mindful citizens. Students from across the country and around the globe come together to form a dynamic community on our scenic campus in Natick, Massachusetts. Guided by master teachers and supported by peers from a variety of artistic backgrounds, Walnut Hill graduates are prepared to succeed in college, conservatory, and beyond.
  • Walnut Hill was founded in 1893 by Wellesley College graduates Florence Bigelow and Charlotte Conant, and remained at the forefront of education for young women for more than 80 years. Even as a traditional private boarding school for girls, Walnut Hill's arts programs were strong. The School was home to acclaimed Fenway Studio artist and teacher Marion Pooke, Class of 1901, and Pulitzer Prizewinning author and Poet Laureate Elizabeth Bishop, Class of 1930. In the 1970s, in response to the changing landscape in education, Walnut Hill became a coeducational school for the arts and has been offering excellent artistic training and academic classroom experiences ever since.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Bailey Moon '11 - Stylist & Creative Director (Vogue & Celebrity Fashion)
    • Jimmy Fowlie '04 - Writer (Saturday Night Live)
    • Keila Wakao '24 - Violinist, Avery Fisher Career Grant Recipient
    • Nicholas Christopher '08 - Broadway Actor (Chess, Hamilton, Sweeney Todd)
    • Ana Matei '22 - Social Media Influencer
    • Harley Chamandy '17 - Filmmaker (Winner of the Werner Herzog Film Award)
    • Kee-Hyun Kim '01 - Cellist (Parker Quartet)
    • HaeSun Paik '83 - Pianist (Co-Chair of Piano at New England Conservatory of Music)
    • Christine Waggoner ’95 - Technical Director (Pixar Animation Studios)
    • Sydney Williams '21 - Dancer (Boston Ballet)
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Walnut Hill School for the Arts cost?
Walnut Hill School for the Arts's tuition is approximately $87,320 for boarding students and $68,525 for day students.
What schools are Walnut Hill School for the Arts often compared to?
Walnut Hill School for the Arts is often viewed alongside schools like Idyllwild Arts Academy by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts?
The acceptance rate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts is 54%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Walnut Hill School for the Arts?
Walnut Hill School for the Arts famous alumni include: Bailey Moon '11, Jimmy Fowlie '04, Keila Wakao '24, Nicholas Christopher '08, Ana Matei '22, Harley Chamandy '17, Kee-Hyun Kim '01, HaeSun Paik '83, Christine Waggoner ’95 and Sydney Williams '21.
Does Walnut Hill School for the Arts offer a summer program?
Yes, Walnut Hill School for the Arts offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
When is the application deadline for Walnut Hill School for the Arts?
The application deadline for Walnut Hill School for the Arts is Dec. 1 / Feb. 10 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 1 / Feb. 10 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2016
5.00
Bard College
The arts focus of Walnut Hill made it so the students were all artistically passionate, creative, and motivated. Also the classes were catered towards this kind of thinking, so it was engaging to take part. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
Eastman school of Muisc
As our school is an art school, it was unique that all academic classes end at 2pm and resuming art classes from then. . .

Class of 2005
5.00
University of Southern California
Walnut Hill is - as the name suggests - a school for the arts. This not only means that each student is immersed in both academic classes typical of any high school and also rigorous. . .
Submit Review for Walnut Hill School for the Arts Earn $20 by submitting your alumni review!

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 270 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $87,320
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $68,525
  • Acceptance rate: 54%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1 / Feb. 10 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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