Buxton Postgraduate Year: A Purposeful Bridge to College
For many students, high school is full of activity, accomplishments, and academic pressure. When graduation comes, it’s common to feel a little uncertain about what’s next or to want time to reflect on what matters most.
Jumping straight into college can sometimes feel like continuing at the same pace without pause, and for some students, taking a year to explore, focus, and grow can make the transition smoother and more meaningful.
The PG Experience
Rooted in a long tradition of progressive education, Buxton offers a distinctive, immersive experience designed for students who want a thoughtful, structured year of growth after high school. With small, discussion-centered classes, meaningful community engagement, and a rich, expansive arts program, Buxton creates an environment where students can take ownership of their learning and develop a deeper sense of who they are—both academically and personally. Deliberately small and intentionally community-oriented, Buxton is a place where students are known, supported, and celebrated for their individuality.
Our Postgraduate (PG) Program gives high-school graduates the chance to spend a dedicated year focusing on what they need most: academic strengthening, intellectual exploration, or clarity about their next steps. PG students build a customized schedule of electives that lets them deepen existing interests or try new subjects with a fresh perspective. Through our extensive arts offerings, they can explore a variety of disciplines and create or expand a college-ready art portfolio. And with the guidance of our experienced college-advising and faculty, who have a long track record of helping students find the right school for them. PG students can approach the college process with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
During this year, students can take time to explore their passions, deepen their learning, and become part of a supportive, intentional community. The PG year is an opportunity to grow academically and personally while setting the stage for future success in college and beyond.
Learn more about the Buxton PG Year: admissions@buxtonschool.org | (413) 458-3919.
Recent Institutions Selected by Our Students Include:
Alfred University
Amherst College
Bard College
Barnard College
Bennington College
Berklee College of Music
Brooklyn College
Bryant University
Bryn Mawr College
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western University
Clark University
Colby-Sawyer College
College of the Atlantic
College of Wooster
Corcoran College of Art
Cornell University
Emerson College
Emory University
Evergreen State College
Farleigh Dickinson University
Gettysburg College
Glasgow School of Art
Hampshire College
Haverford College
Indiana University
Ithaca College
Johnson & Wales College
Kenyon College
Lewis & Clark College
Macalester College
McGill University
Middlebury College
Morehouse College
Mount Holyoke College
New York University
Oberlin College
Occidental College
Pitzer College
Pomona College
Pratt Institute of Art
Reed College
Rhode Island School of Design
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roger Williams University
Rutgers University
Sarah Lawrence College
Savannah College of Art and Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of the Visual Arts
Scripps College
Skidmore College
Spelman College
Smith College
St. Lawrence University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Trent University-Canada
Tulane University
Tyler School of Art
University of the Arts
University of CA- Santa Cruz
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
University of the Netherlands
University of the Pacific
University of Vermont
Vassar College
Wellesley College
Wells College
Wesleyan University
Wheaton College
Whittier College
Williams College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
