Research Buckingham Browne & Nichols School private Schools in Boston, Massachusetts

“I feel that the head of BBN isn't doing a good job creating a real community among the students. The school has a reputation as a pressure cooker with pushy, unlikable parents. This school should be on top of most others, but needs a change in leadership to do so.”

“Being at BB&N has been the best experience of my life so far. I have gone through all three schools and have seen first hand the magic that this institution can work on its students. In response to an earlier comment, the social scene is NOT the worst stereotype of prep school. In fact, out of the ISL schools BB&N is one of the least preppy. Sure, there are cliques and prepsters but if you don't fall into that category there are plenty of other people, most kids couldn't even put a label on themselves because they are involved in so many different things and can identify with so many different people. I spent twelve years at BB&N and my personality evolved as I grew up. I was never without friends, challenges or guidance from teachers and I only came across maybe three mean people. I cannot recommend this school enough!”

“To get a feel for the school, visit. Good experiences happen alongside terrible experiences at BB&N. Let me start off with what I've found to work at BB&N, as a student myself. It's an institution to be reckoned with. Incredible, accesible teaching is one of BB&N's strong points. Every aspect, academically + extracurricularly, is strong: performing arts, visual arts, sports. With that being said, athletics garners more attention than arts from the student body. Nevertheless, BB&N remains a powerhouse. BB&N will give you an incredible academic education, but the experience socially is up to you. Immerse yourself in clubs, teams, arts. This is not a boarding school where people bond instantly. Be outgoing. BB&N can be competitive and unfriendly if you do not put yourself out there. Find a balance between academic and social. The people who manage to figure it out shine.”

“In 2008-2009 in Middle School, we are finding the atmosphere well balanced and the children uniformly precious, happy and collaborative. There may have been problems in the past but this year these seem to have resolved. With a doctorate myself, I can say that the teachers are generally awsome and really care. It is hard for children to grow up in Cambridge; yet, the faculty is doing quite well as ambassadors for this city. There is just the right balance of academics and athletics. Students have plenty of opportunity to develop and to become passionate. This school definitely ranks in line with other private schools in the area.”

“Great school. Kids find there interests and develop them into something larger”

“Kids are too pressured and pushed beyond their interests. Kids can turn out to be unhappy and uncomfortable.”

“Looking in turn at the five star review by a parent, I think it underlines the cause of that unhappy atmosphere (which does exist, albeit not to the extent that the 2-star review implies). By and large, I would say that this is the result of unfair and unreasonable expectations from parents, who are desperate to get their children into colleges and in turn pressure the school into decisions and policies that result in negative consequences for the students. The teachers vary; some are exceptional, some terrible (though thankfully not many), and most lie somewhere just above mediocre. It is very rare to see a student saying that their stress is the result of a teacher. Beyond saying this, I would also like to disagree with the 5-star review in one place, as the balance between academics and athletics at BB&N is abysmally weighted towards athletics.”

“Looking at the two star review I am guessing it is by a student at another school or an unhappy one at BB&N, I suppose. We have found the school to be somewhat demanding and challenging, but that is why we picked it as our daughter was unchallenged in her very good public school. She has made many good friends and the administration and teachers cannot be beat. Caring, knowledgeable, and well prepared. An excellent balance of academics and athletics. Not as strong in the arts as some others, but still has an excellent program - in the end, while 'fit' is more important than anything else in choosing a school, there is not better non-boarding school in the state or possibly the country.”

“The school has good teachers, interesting classes and good arts/sports. The kids are pushed way to hard though,and there is a stressed, unhappy atmosphere, that creates too much tension, and unrealistic expectations. The kids feel that they have to be perfect. also, it mean a lot of cheating. The kids are very cliquey and mean. There is a set law of what is cool and not cool. any one who is different is not cool. it is a harsh place that will change you forever. the social scene is the worst stereotype of prep school.”