FAQs

Our most common entry years are Grades 5, 6, 7, and 9. When there is space available, we  consider applicants for Grades 8, 10, and 11. Applications to Grade 12 are only considered when a family is relocating to the Boston area.

We are looking for enthusiastic girls with a love of learning and an adventurous spirit. Students who tend to do well at NCDS are willing to challenge themselves both in and out of the classroom, collaborate with their peers, and strengthen their own personal faith, no matter what that may be.

An interview is a requirement of the application process. Please call the Admission Office at (617) 244-4246 to schedule your interview, which can take place either in person, along with a tour of the school, or on Zoom. Visitors inside school buildings must follow NCDS protocols, which will be updated prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year.

In-person Interviews
A member of the Admission Office will take the applicant and at least one parent/guardian on a tour of the school. Then an admission officer will interview the applicant and her parent/guardian separately. The applicant will also write a short essay. The interview is just a friendly conversation so that we can learn more about the applicant and answer any questions. Please allow approximately 90 minutes (total) for your tour and interview.

Zoom interviews
A member of the Admission Office will interview the applicant and her parent(s) or guardian separately. The interview is just a friendly conversation so that we can learn more about the applicant and answer any questions. Please allow approximately 45 minutes (total) for your interview.

Newton Country Day offers tuition assistance based on demonstrated need. Tuition assistance is more limited in the Middle School than in the Upper School, but we encourage families to apply if they think they may qualify. It is very important to meet all the deadlines when applying for tuition assistance. Learn more about tuition assistance. 

In the Middle School, all students take dance as part of the curriculum. Interscholastic sports are optional, although students often chose to play at least one season a year. In the Upper School, there is an athletic requirement, but there are many ways to fulfill it, from playing on varsity or junior varsity teams to participating in fitness classes such as spin or TRX. Girls who have a significant athletic commitment outside of school can request a waiver from the athletic requirement.

Our average class size is 12-15 students. In the Upper School, there may be some AP or honors classes that are a bit smaller.

All Grade 6 girls take Roots of Language where they learn how languages have evolved. They are also provided with linguistic tools (grammar, sentence diagramming) to prepare them for the study of foreign languages in the following year. They spend the second semester learning the basics of French, Spanish, and Latin so they can make an educated choice as to what language they want to study beginning in Grade 7. They may continue their Grade 7 language through Upper School or switch to a different language (or possibly add a second language) in Grade 9. Mandarin is an additional offering in the Upper School.

There are age-appropriate opportunities both in the Middle and Upper School for girls to interact with students from nearby boys’ schools, in particular Belmont Hill, St. Sebastian’s, and BC High. Co-ed curricular and extracurricular activities include peer education programs, community service, theater performances, and social events.