Boston Tutoring Center

Private School Demand is Increasing in Massachusetts!

I just finished reading this article about declining public school enrollment in MA.

Two findings that stood out for me, and mirror what we have been seeing over the past 5 years:

1. "Last summer, a study from Boston University researchers Josh Goodman and Abigail Francis found that a larger share of Massachusetts families have opted for private schools since COVID, particularly more affluent white and Asian parents. That shift ended a multi-decade decline in the state’s private school enrollment."

2. "Newton’s enrollment, for example, fell dramatically during COVID and then has continued a gradual decline since, hitting 11,462 this school year."

We have seen growing demand from families coming from some of the "best" suburban public schools. We work with many families from Newton, and from a broad range of surrounding communities.

In order for a student to gain admission to a competitive private school in middle or high school they must have high scores on the entrance exams, do well on the interviews, and with their applications and essays.

For over 20 years we have specialized in private school admission, and have helped thousands of students gain admission to some of the most competitive private schools in the country.

January is prime time for starting this process, for students applying for admission in the fall of 2027.

Please let us know if we can help your family.

Boston ISEE Prep - www.bostoniseeprep.com
Boston Tutoring Center - www.bostontutoringcenter.com
Boston Private School Search- www.bostonprivateschoolsearch.com

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/09/metro/massachusetts-school-enrollment-decline-immigration/?s_campaign=breakingnews:newsletter

Mass. public school enrollment drops to lowest level in 30 years. Here’s what’s behind the decline. - The Boston Globe Many of the state’s largest districts and centers of immigrant populations saw particularly large declines, amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Eye Popping Stats on College ED Admissions!

Last month Jeff Selingo shared the following table in one of his newsletters that highlights the advantages of early decision in college admissions.

Most current high school seniors who applied early decision will get their results in the next week or two.

While it is a huge relief for these students to know in December where they will be attending college next fall, it is important that they are sure that their ED school is their "ride or die" choice.

ED is binding and there is no room for buyer's remorse.

It is important that students spend time crafting a thoughtful college list, that has been shaped by research, reflection, and input from a variety of sources.

By the time the students we work with hit send on their ED application we have spent an average of 10 months helping them developing their college list, and they have a very good idea of what schools will be a good fit for them.

Our work with juniors starts in January, and we love helping them through this process. Please reach out if you would like more information.

Boston ISEE Prep- www.bostoniseeprep.com

Boston Tutoring Center- www.bostontutoringcenter.com

Boston Private School Search- www.bostonprivateschoolsearch.com

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. - Beverly Sills

More Changes on the way for Boston Exam School Admissions!

The Boston School Committee recently voted to AGAIN change the formula for admission to the Boston exam schools. There has been a change to the formula nearly every year for the past 6 admissions cycles.

The admissions cycle is a long one. Students take the entrance exam in the spring and/or fall of 5th/6th grade for admission in 7th grade. The process is similar for 9th grade admission.

Admissions decisions are typically sent out in late spring (after private school admissions results and deposits are required).

With so much uncertainty in the process, many families opt out entirely and go the private school route. It did not have to be this way.

Two of the most glaring quotes from members of the school committee with regards to this policy change were true 5 years ago when these changes started.

"People love the exam schools because they bring prestige, and they have resources. But they’re not right for every student, we know that." - Jeri Robinson, School Committee Chairperson

Jeri Robinson was on the Boston School Committee when these changes started in 2020. She was on the special committee that developed the first set of changes back in 2020. Did she just come to realize that the exam schools are not right for every student? Many people knew this to be true in 2020.

"The Boston Globe" reported that Rachel Skerrit, the former headmaster at Boston Latin School, and a member of the original committee in 2020, cited state data showing less than 1,000 BPS sixth-graders meet or exceed state standards in English language arts and math.

“What does this mean? It means that we do not have the number of students in the entirety of Boston Public Schools performing at grade level in ELA and math to fill the total available seventh-grade seats across the three exam schools,” Skerritt said. “This is what needs our attention and urgently.”

Again, this was also true in 2020. Yet, despite knowing that the exam schools were not right for every student, and that BPS did not have enough students performing at grade level to fill the seats, they created a formula that awarded BPS students bonus points and seats at the exam schools, where they were not able to do the work.

What a mess!

We have seen a rise in demand for private schools for middle/high school from Boston families, and we have just started work with our 5th graders who will be applying next fall for 7th grade admission to private schools in 2027.

Boston students should not be victims of the ever changing priorities of the Boston School Committee.

Boston ISEE Prep - www.bostoniseeprep.com
Boston Tutoring Center - www.bostontutoringcenter.com
Boston Private School Search- www.bostonprivateschoolsearch.com

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/05/metro/boston-school-committee-exam-school-admission-policy-changes/?s_campaign=greatdivide:newsletter

Boston School Committee approves changes to exam schools’ admission policy - The Boston Globe The changes would eliminate bonus points for applicants from high-poverty schools, and lower points for homeless students or those in public housing or state custody.

Great Program!

Over the years we have worked with many students applying to elite private schools who have participated in the Johns Hopkins CTY programs.

Some students take the classes on-line during the school year, and others attend the summer camp programs. There are students who do both.

What sets the CTY students apart from others is that these students have a genuine curiosity and love of learning. These are students who are excited to delve into new academic experiences and grow their skills. In a time when students are spending less time reading and more time scrolling on devices, it is refreshing to work with students who love to learn!

Boston ISEE Prep - www.bostoniseeprep.com

Boston Tutoring Center - www.bostontutoringcenter.com

Boston Private School Search - www.bostonprivateschoolsearch.com

https://www.chronicle.com/article/what-nerd-camp-can-tell-us-about-the-sat?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_15261409_nl_Academe-Today_date_20251013&sra=true

What Nerd Camp Can Tell Us About the SAT No selective college relies on standardized tests alone to admit students, but the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth does. That makes it an interesting test case.

Sad but NOT surprised!

Over 20 years of test prep experience has shown me that when students are preparing for challenging tests such as the ISEE, SSAT, SAT and ACT, a lot is revealed about their skill sets in reading, math and vocabulary.

Many parents do not realize that while their student may be doing well in school, it does not necessarily mean that they have solid skills. Grade inflation is rampant, and many teachers give out good grades in order to avoid a confrontation with students or parents.

We see this quite frequently with students. We had a student last year from a very high ranked suburban public school. She was in advanced math classes and earned a perfect score on the math MCAS, but her ISEE score in math was average.

The steady decline of reading and vocabulary on these tests is a direct result of many students no longer reading for pleasure. Students today spend too much time staring at screens and watching short videos. It plays out in their attention spans, which have steadily declined over the years.

One parent recently asked if we could "gamify" lessons for her student who lacked the motivation and skills to do well on the ISEE. I explained to her that if her child was not self motivated and willing to build her skills, then perhaps private school was not the right choice for her.

As a life-long reader, and someone who is always reading for pleasure it is personally disappointing and sad to see that reading is not seen as an enjoyable activity for many Gen Z and Gen Alpha students.

The one bright spot I see is that many private schools have instilled a reading culture in their curriculum and have exposed their students to the joy of spending time with a good book.

Reading is the foundation of a solid education and a skill that we cannot let diminish in our children!

Order my new book, "Private School Admission: Mistakes Parents Make", on Amazon here

Boston ISEE Prep - www.bostoniseeprep.com

Boston Tutoring Center - www.bostontutoringcenter.com

Boston Private School Search - www.bostonprivateschoolsearch.com

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/us/12th-grade-reading-skills-low-naep.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250909&instance_id=162202&nl=breaking-news®i_id=67968402&segment_id=205575&user_id=1cb2a7a8ede0b53e0f7a292ca578181d

12th Grade Reading Skills Hit a New Low High school seniors had the worst reading scores since 1992 on a national test, a loss probably related to increases in screen time and the pandemic. Their math scores fell as well.