Buxton School - Williamstown, Massachusetts

Download a PDF of the Fall 2011-2012 Course Catalog & Evening and Afternoon Activities

Academics at Buxton are viewed as an integral part of a well-rounded, experience-based education. Our goal is to make students’ intellectual lives stimulating and eye-opening. To that end, classes tend to be small and discussion-oriented, and teachers are encouraged to teach to their passions. Students are expected and encouraged to be engaged in their classes, curious about the material, and excited by the world of ideas.

The curriculum at Buxton is broad and demanding, offering a combination of traditional academic subjects, a wide variety of courses in the arts, and some studies rarely encountered before college. As part of our philosophical commitment to the deep potential of every Buxton student, we do not track our classes; aspiring students are welcome to try even the most demanding courses if they choose. And because we think teachers who love what they are teaching are more effective than those who must teach to a test, our upper-level classes are not built around the standard AP curriculum. The result is a high-school educational experience that has an integrity of its own, built around genuine exploration of the world around us. The lucky by-product is an excellent college-admissions record.

To the left you will find our course catalog, where you can read about the many classes Buxton offers in English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Foreign Language. You can also read about the many arts courses we have. Finally, take a peek at our college list to see the kinds of schools our students are ready for after their time at Buxton.