A Private Day School in Wellesley, MA

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As a Community we Strive to

Work Hard, Find Joy
& Be Kind

Welcome to Tenacre

Every day at Tenacre begins with a handshake as the head of school greets arriving students. This act of trust and personal attention sets the tone for all that follows. At Tenacre, we embrace the elementary years.

As a Pre-K through Grade 6 coed school, we offer a dynamic and exciting environment in which children progressively develop critical thinking skills, become confident and joyful learners, and move forward into higher education and life as caring citizens.

Our Mission

Schoolhouse Program
The Schoolhouse is home to pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade at Tenacre.

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Public Speaking
Learning to feel comfortable on stage or speaking in front of groups is part of the Tenacre experience.

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Individualized Instruction
Tenacre teaches students in small, flexible groups, meeting the needs of individuals while keeping expectations high for all students.

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Tenacre Traditions
Tenacre’s many traditions unite the school community and are a cherished part of school life for every Tenacre student.

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List of 6 items.

205

Total Students
39

Teachers
26%

Students of Color
Español

Starts in Pre-K
6

Sports Offered
$1 mil

Financial Aid

Success By Design

A Campaign for Tenacre's Future

Learn about Success By Design

News & Events

List of 3 news stories.

Kindergarteners create colorful art at annual Beehive Art trip
2/5/2026
Kindergarteners traveled to Beehive Art in Lincoln yesterday and participated in a variety of hands-on art activities. They each painted a picture, watercolored petite hearts, painted small wooden mushrooms, and decorated canvas bags to hold all of their art. This is the third year Tenacre has taken the kindergarten class to Beehive Art, which is owned by Kim Poler, who taught kindergarten art at Tenacre from 2003 to 2011.
Dance Club performs for school community
2/4/2026
Dance Club members took the stage this morning for an all-school assembly, performing a powerful contemporary dance exploring the lives of Somalian women, set to the melody of Sade's "Pearls." Since October, dancers from grades 3–6 have been gathering twice weekly to rehearse choreographer Robin Thompson's beautiful routine. Their months of dedication culminated in this morning's performance—a moment where art, culture, and community came together before the entire school.
Contemporary artist works with fourth grade students
2/2/2026
This morning, Tenacre hosted artist Arisa Boit, whose work is currently on display at the Tenacre Art Gallery (TAG). For nearly three decades, Arisa has worked as a contemporary artist specializing in smoke and fire as her medium. The Boston-based artist has developed and perfected her distinctive technique of painting with smoke and fire throughout her career. During her visit, Arisa presented an all-school assembly and then led a collaborative project with Tenacre's fourth-grade art students. Each student began by painting on a small square magnetic tile, then passed it to the person on their left. This process continued, with students layering paint and designs onto each tile as it made its way around the group. The completed tiles were arranged on a magnetic wall, creating an interactive installation that allows students to rearrange the pieces to form their own unique patterns.