Admissions

Come find your place at Beacon.

We enroll curious, kind, and hard-working students from a wide range of backgrounds and neighborhoods. Here's how to get started.

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How to apply

A five-step process, from first inquiry to enrollment.

01
Inquire
Submit an online inquiry so we can share information and invite you to upcoming events.
02
Visit
Join an open house or schedule a personal tour to see classrooms, meet faculty, and ask questions.
03
Apply
Submit the application through the online portal, along with transcripts, teacher recommendations, and required assessments.
04
Interview
Applicants (and families for younger children) meet with admissions officers on campus or virtually.
05
Decide
Decision letters are released in early spring. Enrolled families join us for onboarding events through the summer.

Key dates

Admissions calendar.

Fall Open Houses: October & November
Priority Application Deadline: January 15
Financial Aid Application Deadline: January 31
Decisions Released: Mid-March
Enrollment Contracts Due: Early April

Tuition & aid

An investment we take seriously.

Tuition varies by grade level and is set annually by the Board of Trustees. Beacon commits substantial resources to need-based financial aid — roughly 1 in 4 students receives aid, with awards ranging from partial to full tuition.

Families interested in aid should complete the aid application alongside the admissions application. Our team is glad to walk you through the process confidentially.

Frequently asked

Questions we hear often.

Which grades do you admit?: Beacon admits to all grades PK–12, with primary entry points at PK, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades. Other grades are considered as space allows.
Is financial aid available?: Yes. Beacon awards need-based financial aid to admitted students at every grade level. Aid is renewed annually and is confidential.
What testing is required?: Testing requirements vary by division; the admissions office will share specific requirements after you inquire.
Do you offer bus transportation?: Yes — several bus and shuttle routes serve families across the region. Details are shared with enrolled families.
How large is the school?: Beacon enrolls approximately 830 students PK–12: 240 in the Lower School, 200 in the Middle School, and 390 in the Upper School. Average class size is 15 students.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?: Beacon maintains a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio across all three divisions. Nearly three-quarters of our faculty hold advanced degrees, and most have taught at Beacon for at least seven years.
What are your typical acceptance rates?: Acceptance rates vary significantly by entry year. Our most competitive entry points are Kindergarten and 9th grade, where we typically receive four to five applications per available seat.
Do you require an interview?: Yes. Family interviews are required for applicants to PK and Kindergarten; students interview individually beginning in 5th grade. Interviews may be conducted on campus or, when necessary, virtually.
When and how should we visit?: We recommend that prospective families attend one of our fall Open Houses and schedule a personal tour once your application is underway. Shadow days are offered for students applying to Grades 6–11.
What is the tuition, and does it include everything?: Tuition varies by grade level and is set each spring by the Board of Trustees. Tuition includes textbooks, most technology, athletics, and standardized testing fees; lunch, after-school programs, and optional trips are additional.
Who is eligible for financial aid?: Any admitted family who demonstrates financial need is eligible to apply. Approximately one in four Beacon students receives aid, with awards ranging from a few thousand dollars to full tuition, plus support for books, technology, and school-related travel.
How do you support students with learning differences?: Beacon is a mainstream, college-preparatory school, and we serve students who can access our curriculum with reasonable accommodations. Our Learning Services office coordinates accommodations, works closely with teachers, and refers families to outside specialists when appropriate.
What is the religious affiliation of the school?: Beacon is a nondenominational, independent school. We welcome students and families of every faith tradition and of no faith tradition; our community values curriculum touches on world religions in age-appropriate ways.
Do you offer before- and after-school care?: Yes. Extended Day is available for Lower and Middle School families from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., with drop-in and full-time enrollment options. A robust after-school clubs and athletics program runs concurrently.
What technology does my child need?: Beacon is a 1:1 school beginning in Grade 5, and the required device is issued and maintained by the school as part of tuition. Younger students use school-provided classroom devices.
How do you approach diversity, equity, and belonging?: Beacon actively recruits students, families, and faculty from a wide range of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds. Our commitment to belonging is woven through curriculum, advisory, affinity spaces, and hiring.
Where do your graduates go to college?: Beacon graduates from the last five years have enrolled at more than 140 colleges and universities, from small liberal arts colleges to flagship state universities and the most selective research institutions. A full matriculation list is shared with 11th-grade families.
What if my child applies but is not admitted, or is waitlisted?: We are transparent about the competitiveness of certain entry points, and we work hard to communicate decisions clearly. Waitlisted and non-admitted families are welcome to reapply the following year, and many students do successfully enroll on a second application.
Can international families apply?: Yes. Beacon welcomes international applicants and can support I-20 issuance for eligible students. International applicants should begin the process at least a full year before intended entry.
Do you offer boarding?: Beacon is a day school and does not currently offer boarding. We are studying the addition of a small residential program as part of the 2026–2031 strategic plan; no decision has been made.

Start your inquiry

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