For almost 90 years, Buxton School has been educating students to be ethical and engaged citizens of the world. The school has long believed that a student’s entire lived experience is the most important aspect of his or her education; as a result, Buxton was designed (and continues) to provide an experience that helps young people grow as thinkers, community members, creators and do-ers. Through small, challenging seminar-style classes; multiple leadership opportunities; hands-on service to the community; a broad and deep arts program; a diverse student body; and an intentional living experience, Buxton students have a high-school experience that is smart, compelling, and long-lasting. Our students relish their time while they are here, and they leave Buxton ready to take on—and succeed—in college and in life.

Buxton is able to provide this unique and precious educational experience because it is small. All teachers know all students. All students know each other. Students from every kind of background get to know each other well, finding common ground through layers of difference. Classes are focused and intense. Students feel genuine ownership of the school they maintain (through Work Program and work jobs) and help run (as dorm supervisors and crew heads). And our annul Urban Intensive Trip is an extraordinary exercise in vivid, lived education. Even our graduation, which is the capstone and highlight of the year (and of many a student’s time at Buxton), would not be possible if the school were bigger.