Overview
oundless Learning. At Buxton, education is what we give and it’s what we get. We believe that learning is universal, and is as based in experience as it is in the classroom.
As a progressive, supportive and enriching preparatory school, we are tasked with providing a rich and varied academic and artistic program for our students. Small classes, dedicated and accessible teachers, a 4:1 student to faculty ratio, and classes that push the limits of what and how we think make up the core of the Buxton educational experience.
At Buxton, students can choose from both traditional and nontraditional areas of study, including electives of the type not typically seen until college.
Our individual course programs are designed with the student in mind and answer the question: what do they want and need – both in the classroom and outside of it?
We do not offer ‘honors’ or ‘advanced placement’ classes in the traditional sense and we don’t teach to test scores. Instead, we honor our mission to know and value each student as an individual and to help them grow as student, thinker, artist and citizen.
Buxton students live their education and because of this, they are passionate thinkers, learners and doers.

Classes
At Buxton, academics are the core of the well-rounded, experience-based education we offer our students. We strive to present curriculum in ways that are exciting, eye-opening and inclusive. Classes are small and discussion-oriented, with teachers who are teaching to their passions – not mandates.
Expectations are high. Students must show up ready to live their education through participation, interaction and learning. If they do, the wonders of the world await them.
Explore the curriculum to discover course offerings in the Arts, Drama, English, Foreign Languages, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Music and Sciences, as well as information about our Winter Term classes.


Graduation Requirements
Sixteen credits are required for graduation, which include 4 years of English and a year of American history. Students are also counseled to complete a minimum of 3 years of mathematics, 2 years of social science, 2 years of laboratory science, and a minimum of 3 years of a foreign language. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to pursue courses in the arts.
Grading
Grading at Buxton is like most everything else at the school: not exactly status quo. Three times a year, students receive written reports from each teacher, conduct their own self-evaluation, and then have a conference with a director to discuss the findings.
Our experience has shown us that this unique combination of written and verbal evaluation is more thorough, subtle, effective, humane and meaningful than letter grades. Buxton teachers are encouraged to give very specific encouragement, advice and instruction to communicate precisely how students are performing and, if necessary, how they can improve.
For college admissions purposes, we do generate a graded report card beginning at the end of junior year. But because our evaluative process is so thorough, students and parents are very unlikely to be surprised by the letter grades.
Explore the curriculum to discover course offerings in the Arts, Drama, English, Foreign Languages, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Music and Sciences, as well as information about our Winter Term classes.