Admissions
We welcome independent thinkers who are curious, creative, and ready to engage fully.
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What kind of student thrives here?
Students who ask hard questions and care about the answers.
Buxton students bring a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. What they share is a genuine desire to learn, grow, and be part of something real. They think critically, care deeply about the world around them, and show up for their community.
We are an intentionally small school, deliberate in our commitment to diversity of all kinds — gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, talents, and abilities. Students come to us from across the United States and around the world, as boarding and day students.
To learn more, contact our admissions team at admissions@buxtonschool.org or (413) 458-3919, or complete our inquiry form.
How to Apply
Rolling admissions.
No application fee.
Beginning this year, Buxton reviews applications on a rolling basis. When we find the right fit, we don’t make families wait until spring to hear from us. We’ve also eliminated the application fee as an expression of our commitment to an equitable and accessible process.
There is little about Buxton that is traditional. This felt like the right call.
Come VISIT Us
Nothing compares to being here.
The website can only show you so much. When you visit, you meet the people, feel the pace, and understand in an instant why families who find Buxton tend to know right away.
We’re also happy to connect you with current families and alumni who can share what their Buxton experience has meant to them.
Here’s what a visit looks like:
● A guided tour of our campus
● Conversations with students and faculty who live out Buxton’s values every day
● A look at how academics, community, the arts, and work come together
● A feel for the tight-knit community that makes Buxton feel like home
● Personalized follow-up and support throughout your application process
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Tuition & Financial Aid
Buxton is committed to access and equity.
A Buxton education should be available to every student who belongs here, regardless of financial circumstances. Below is a breakdown of tuition and how we provide financial support.
Boarding Students
$71,500
Includes room and board, academic instruction, course materials, lab fees, field trips, cultural events, athletics including ski passes, and all on-campus programs.
Families are responsible for books, the All-School Trip, laundry, supplemental art supplies, personal spending money, and travel.
Day Students
$43,000
Includes academic instruction, course materials, lab fees, field trips, cultural events, athletics, and all on-campus programs and activities.
Families are responsible for books, the All-School Trip, laundry, supplemental art supplies, personal spending money, and travel.
Financial Aid
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About one in three Buxton students receives financial aid each year. We believe financial resources should never be a barrier to a Buxton education.
We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enriches learning for everyone. Financial aid ensures that students from a wide range of backgrounds can fully take part in all aspects of life at Buxton — academics, the arts, and community. About one-third of our students receive financial aid each year.
If you have questions about financial aid before beginning the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our admissions team at admissions@buxtonschool.org or (413) 458-3919.
The financial aid process begins in February and is designed to be clear and supportive. Applications are completed through Clarity, which allows families to share a financial overview that includes income, assets, expenses, and debts. The process typically takes less than 30 minutes and can be completed on any device.
Once you complete the verification step, your 1040 and W-2 documents will automatically be transferred from the IRS — you do not need to upload them manually.
If you are an S-Corp or Partnership business owner, you will be prompted in your Clarity portal to upload your most recent business tax return(s), including your K-1 forms.
If you need help at any point, support is available in the Clarity portal via the Help button in the bottom-left corner. You can also reach the support team at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish, and the application itself is fully translated into Spanish.
For step-by-step guidance, please review the Clarity Family Application Guide.
Set up a FACTS Payment Plan Online
Make a Payment
● 2026-2027 FACTS Miscellaneous/One-Time Payment
● 2025-2026 FACTS Miscellaneous/One-Time Payment
International Students: Please submit payments via Flywire
For payment questions, contact the FACTS Parent Line at +1-866-441-4637
What to Submit
U.S. Based Applicants
● A completed online application
● All required financial aid materials, if applying for aid
● Official transcripts covering at least the past two academic years
● Two letters of recommendation, including one from a current or former teacher
● Optional: standardized test scores (SSAT) and any additional materials that reflect your interests, imagination, or perspective — creative writing, artwork, photography, or project work.
A personal admissions interview is part of the process, in person or virtual. During your visit, you can tour our 114-acre campus, sit in on classes, and meet current students.
International Applicants
● A completed online application
● All required financial aid materials, if applying for aid
● Official transcripts covering at least the past two academic years
● Two letters of recommendation — one should be from an English teacher or someone who can assess written and spoken English proficiency
● Most recent standardized test scores, if available (SSAT, TOEFL, or TOEFL Jr.)
● Optional: creative writing, poetry, artwork, photography, or any project that reflects your interests and perspective.
International applicants unable to visit in person may schedule a virtual interview.
Day Students
Connected to campus, connected to home.
Day students experience Buxton much like our boarding students, while staying connected to their families each day.
Day students can expect full days on campus from 8:30 AM until at least 3:30 PM when classes finish. During the fall term, day students stay through afternoon sports and dinner. During winter and spring terms, students may return home in the afternoons, and are welcome to stay through dinner.
We welcome day students on campus through evening snack from 9:00 to 10:00 PM each weeknight. On weekends, day students are expected to return to campus to participate in the Saturday morning Work Program with their peers and for the Tuesday evening formal dinner.
Postgraduate Year
One more year to become who you are.
Buxton offers a one-year postgraduate program for high school graduates. For many students, spending an additional year in a small, supportive environment helps them prepare for college and allows them to develop a stronger sense of themselves before taking the next step.
Our PG program gives students a year to burnish their academic record through a tailored program of electives, explore our extensive arts offerings, and build a portfolio for college. PG students are supported throughout the college application process by faculty with a long track record of placing students in the right colleges for them.
