The Cambridge School of Weston

• Location: Weston, Massachusetts, USA,
• Established: in 1886,
• Type of studying: mixed,
• Total number of students: 315 people (25% of them are foreign students),
• Educational programs: High School Diploma (Grades 9–12), Postgraduate Year (PG),
• Motto: "Truthe and Gentil Deedes"
• Traditional colours: blue and yellow,
• Symbol: griffin.

The prestigious private school of mixed education The Cambridge School of Weston (CSW) offers effective programs for both American students and foreign pupils - today international students represent on the campus 8 countries.

The Cambridge School of Weston began in 1886: it was founded as a Cambridge school for girls by the forces of Arthur and Stella Gilmore. They also founded the Radcliffe College and the local preparatory department early, so they already had the appropriate experience and were able to make a really outstanding educational institution. In 1918 there was a merger with the Boston Haskell School - the new institution became known as The Cambridge-Haskell School. At the same time, the first symbol of the school was developed - a blossoming flower in the open palm: it was invented by the Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran, a close friend of the director of the Haskell School, Mary Haskell. In 1931, the school moved about 32 kilometers and is located at the current place, finally getting the name The Cambridge School of Weston (CSW). This was the initiative of director John French: being the heir of the ideas of the famous reformer of education John Dewey, French introduced a lot of innovative details and approaches in the learning process. Many of them are actively used so far: for example, individual attitude to each student, practical studying, active responsibility education, a small number of students in classes and on the flow. In 1939, the public administration was accepted at the school - the institution took advantage of the example of New England, a model of the new city assembly. Until now, the whole International school in USA (including students and employees) participates in general meetings, jointly takes important decisions and new rules, openly discusses current issues and news.

The Cambridge School of Weston is proud of its teaching staff: approximately 80% of teachers have a degree. They are not indifferent, qualified specialists of their business, who treat students with love and care, they are able to motivate them for achieving personal and educational goals. In one class, 12-14 people are engaged, and the ratio between teachers and children is 6: 1. This makes it possible to give each child a proper amount of attention, to carefully monitor his progress and achievements. The director is now working Jane Molding.

The main goal of The Cambridge School of Weston is to provide quality, progressive, comprehensive education to children from all over the world, to teach them to look deeper, to educate full and responsible members of society, good citizens.

Many graduates become known and recognized experts in their field - we give several names for an example:

• Miguel Arteta, director
• Nick Zinner, musician, guitarist of a famous band Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Joe Sumner, musician, son of the famous singer Sting
• Kelly Zutrau, musician, vocalist of Wet group
• Eric von Hippel, economist
• Jonas Wood, artist
• Jonathan Bertman, a well-known physician, professor at Brown University
• Louisa Bertman, artist-illustrator
• Lyudmila Bouzinova, model
• Josh Clayton-Felt, singer and songwriter
• Jennifer Coolidge, actress
• Steve Mumford, artist
• Andrew Strominger, theoretical physicist
• Margaret Salinger, the daughter of D. Salinger, a cult American writer
• Douglas Preston, writer
• Aprille Ericsson-Jackson, mechanical engineer
• Ian Falconer, writer and illustrator
• Zach Feuer, painter
• Paul Michael Glaser, an actor (famous for his role in Starsky and Huch)
• David Mugar, businessman and world-famous philanthropist
• Hamilton Morris, publisher of Vice Magazine
• Stephin Merritt, singer and songwriter
• Susanna Kaysen, writer
• Erin Hamilton, singer
• Andras Jones, actor.

CSW uses a unique Mod System: instead of traditional semesters or trimesters, the academic year is divided into six six-week modules. During each module, students attend three academic blocks daily, typically 90 minutes each, allowing deeper engagement with each subject. The 6x6 structure enables students to take more than 18 courses per year.

Students work with advisors to build personalized schedules within the innovative modular system. The school's approach is interdisciplinary: classes are conducted by faculty from different departments, and focus fusion course series explore topics across multiple disciplines.

Progressive education at CSW is grounded in discovery and real-world problem solving. The educational model is based on inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives. The school's approach builds resilience, confidence, and critical thinking.

Each CSW student is assigned a personal advisor who knows them individually, advocates for their interests, and monitors their academic and personal growth. The advisory program includes small groups and weekly meetings built into the schedule.

Learning is based on intrinsic motivation. The school teaches students to challenge bias and addresses issues of social inequality.

All domestic and foreign students participate in an orientation program before classes begin to adjust and meet residence counselors and peers.

The Cambridge School of Weston offers education in Grades 9–12 as well as a Postgraduate Year (PG). The school provides more than 200 innovative courses spanning various disciplines, including Biology of Cancer, African Epics from the Oral Tradition, Robotics Design, and Fashion and Textiles in a Circular World.

CSW Signature Programs allow students to immerse themselves in interdisciplinary topics, learn off campus, explore their identity, and gain practical work experience. Upon completion, students receive a certificate following a final demonstration of their work.

To fulfill the social justice requirement, students choose from more than 80 approved courses that examine structures of power, privilege, and human rights issues. During their time at CSW, students must complete 10 social justice courses.

Postgraduate and one-year programs are designed for students who wish to spend a year or semester at an East Coast boarding school.

CSW Summer Programs offer hands-on learning as an introduction to the school's approach.

The school operates an exchange program with CADI Bilingual School in Panama: visiting students live with host families and attend classes alongside CSW students.

CSW offers a Lifelong Learning continuing education program with courses for adults, including a week-long ESCAPE sports camp (Extraordinary Sports Camp for Adults Playing Enthusiastically).

The Garthwaite Center for Science and Art was named one of the top ten green projects in the country by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment.

CSW faculty member Anne Rearick is a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient for her work documenting amateur boxing culture. She has been a CSW instructor and professional photographer for over thirty years.

Comfortable residences are built for pupils studying on the full board terms. On average, 90 students live on the campus, as well as about 20 employees with their families and pets. In addition to bedrooms, there are spacious games and lounge rooms for recreation, which often host various events, music and entertainment evenings. For the international students, full access to all infrastructure facilities of the school is provided, they can even rely on the help of teachers in the performance of homework or independent work.

The pupils can participate in self-government, have the right to be elected to the school board or to work as an elder - this develops leadership qualities, a sense of independence, responsibility for words and deeds.

Subject list: Art, Basics of health protection, history, Library and information theory, maths, music, Natural science, social sciencies, theatre studies
Activity list: basketball, dancing, field hockey, fitness, football, lacrosse, tennis, track-and-field athletics, volleyball

For the students of The Cambridge School of Weston there are many opportunities for sports:

• Yoga,
• Lacrosse (for girls),
• Tennis,
• Baseball,
• Basketball,
• Hockey on the grass,
• Football (classical European),
• Cross Country,
• Climbing and mountaineering,
• Biking,
• Gym,
• Heavy and athletics,
• Golf,
• Table tennis. 

CSW fields 13 interscholastic competitive teams. The athletic program includes both competitive and recreational options, fostering teamwork, resilience, and self-discovery.

The lesson and the admirers of art will find for themselves: you can master theatrical and dramatic skills, choreography, painting and drawing. Undoubtedly popular martial arts studios.

Creative arts offerings include songwriting, music theory, ballet, contact improvisation, and lighting design. The dance program invites students to create, explore, and perform. The music program encompasses original composition, ensemble performance, and experimentation with digital instruments. Theater at CSW is a space for bold storytelling, personal exploration, and collaborative creation.

Children can also take part in various activities, excursions and trips. You can go to Harvard, spend time on shopping, visit the shopping and entertainment center or cinema, large amusement parks, located near cafes and restaurants. Also visits are organized to theaters and galleries, to sports games and matches. Thanks to the proximity of Lake Cochituate, children can learn swimming, kayaking or canoeing.

The activities program is open to all day and boarding students and includes outings to concerts and Greater Boston museums. Students attend performing arts events such as the Boston Jazz Festival, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cirque Du Soleil, and theater productions. The school organizes participation in social justice and volunteer events, including AISNE and Asian Footsteps conferences, the Boston Pride Parade, Model United Nations, and the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Students attend professional sports games featuring the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, and New England Revolution. Seasonal outings include apple picking, ice skating on Boston Common, skiing, snow tubing, and wilderness trips. Annual school events include a dance concert, dramatic production, end-of-module art show, Halloween dances, Heritage Fest, music concerts, and pop/rock concerts.

On-campus events include art gallery openings, crafts and cooking workshops, Battle of the Bands, improv workshops, and Super Bowl parties. Shopping trips are organized to Chinatown, Harvard Square, Seaport District, and Wrentham Outlets. Students visit amusement parks and fairs including Canobie Lake Park, Franklin Park Zoo, Kimball Farm, Six Flags New England, and Topsfield Fair.

Recreational activities include archery, bowling, escape rooms, laser tag, paintball, and ceramics painting.

CSW affinity groups:

• Asian Heritage Affinity Group,
• Black Latino Asian Indigenous Men (BLAIM),
• Black Student Union,
• Circle of Sisters,
• Community Crossroads,
• Disability And Neurodiversity Affinity (DANDA),
• FemCo,
• First Gen Affinity Group,
• Gender Sexuality Alliance,
• Jewish Student Affinity Space,
• La Sociedad,
• Mixed Heritage,
• QPoC Affinity,
• Students on Financial Aid (SOFA), a student support group for recipients of financial aid that provides a confidential space for connection,
• Trans Affinity Group (TAGs).

CSW students can create and lead clubs on any interest or topic.

CSW clubs:

• Academic Excellence Club,
• Anime Club,
• ASL Club,
• Badminton Club,
• Best Buddies,
• Biology Club,
• Chemistry Club,
• Chess Club,
• Coed Volleyball,
• Craft and Chat,
• CSW Newspaper,
• Dungeons and Dragons,
• Film Club,
• Ginger Club,
• Health Occupations Club,
• Home Economics,
• Knitted Knockers,
• Lego Club,
• Lisztening to Classical Club,
• Lit Mag,
• Magic the Gathering,
• Model UN,
• Ping Pong Club,
• Poetry Society,
• RacEnthusiasts,
• Read This!,
• Roblox,
• Spanish Club,
• Sustainability Committee,
• Tabletop Hobbies Club,
• The Gryphtones,
• True Crime,
• Wax Printing Club,
• Zora Foundation.

Students develop policies with administrators, review curricula, and interview faculty candidates. The Advisory Board (A-Board) consists of nine elected students and four faculty members and provides formal policy recommendations to the Head of School. The Judicial Board (J-Board) holds hearings on serious rule violations. The Student Curriculum Committee meets regularly with the Academic Dean to discuss new courses and scheduling. The Sustainability Committee includes students and adults. Each residence elects two students as Sustainability Stewards to support sustainable practices.

• According to 2019 information, the average SAT score is 1320, and the average ACT score is 31.

The Cambridge School of Weston campus has everything you need for effective study, comfortable living and active leisure, sports and creativity. The campus is located on 65 acres of wooded land approximately 12 miles from Boston, combining city access with suburban safety.

In 2007, the new 21,000 sq ft Garthwaite Center for Science and Art was built to LEED Platinum standards, featuring sustainable building materials, passive solar design, a high-efficiency heating and ventilation system, a living green roof, composting toilets, and high-efficiency lighting. All buildings are subject to the basic school principles (their construction and location, functionality):

• Health and well-being,
• Education and teaching,
• Global interaction,
• Social justice.

The campus includes four full-size fields for soccer, field hockey, ultimate, and other sports, plus a dedicated baseball field. There is a recreational pool and a modern Health and Fitness Center with two regulation basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor running track, a strength training room, physical education classrooms, yoga, dance, and martial arts studios, a student lounge, and a sports medicine office.

A 14,000 sq ft indoor gymnasium accommodates basketball, volleyball, badminton, and futsal. The campus also offers a dance studio, a 250-seat proscenium theater, a 50-seat black box theater, a concert hall, and music practice rooms ranging from 100 to 800 sq ft. There are four art galleries and an Art Building for visual arts instruction.

The campus is an idle-free zone with 20 electric vehicle charging stations. Two educational community gardens are located on the grounds, one planted entirely with native species. The Board of Trustees approved the installation of photovoltaic panels to eliminate fossil fuel use and offset nearly a quarter of annual electricity consumption. A battery backup power system has been approved for Warren Dorm to provide critical power during outages.

The campus includes a Dining Hall and the East Quad event space. Parking on campus is free.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 500 USD
• Study materials 1200 USD
• Medical insurance 1800 USD

Admission involves a review of required documents. Admitted students receive an official acceptance letter. Foreign students need a visa.

Student-led group tours are available. The CSW Admissions Office hosts events including Admissions Open House, Virtual Open House, Drop-In Coffee Hour, and Class Preview Night. CSW offers self-guided Admissions Open House tours where students, faculty, and administrators answer questions along the route.

CSW graduates enter leading colleges and universities, build careers across industries, launch technology startups, shape public policy, work as designers for global brands, and tour as musicians.

• An admission interview is required for all applicants and is typically combined with a student-led campus tour,
• Interviews are conducted in person and online.

CSW distributes financial aid annually. About 37% of students receive financial aid.

Financial aid is need-based and available to families across a wide range of incomes. The CSW Fund supports tuition assistance among other initiatives.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision