Admissions FAQs

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

• Why does Tenacre choose to remain an elementary school structured PK-6?

  Tenacre embraces the elementary years and, in doing so, dedicates all of our resources to this age group.  We are an intentionally small school, in enrollment and physical scale. What this means is that:
  

  • Every child is known by every adult member of the community and by other
    children.
  • Families know each other which enables a warm, tight-knit, inclusive community for all of our families.
  • We offer a welcoming space and an unusually broad-based curriculum that fosters exploration.
  • By requiring students to participate fully in all areas, this exploration leads to new passions which position our students well for their next school and beyond.
  • By keeping 6th grade as part of an elementary program we create an environment for children to continue to build their confidence and to lead.

• Does Tenacre offer Transportation?

  Yes. To assist in achieving geographic diversity, and ensure that we are an inclusive community, for the past 20 years Tenacre has provided free daily bus service to Boston families living in a variety of neighborhoods.

• What are the major entry points at Tenacre?

  Tenacre may enroll students at every grade level.  However, the major entry points are Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 3. Applications are accepted at all grade levels as spaces may become available due to attrition in our enrollment.

• Does Tenacre have an admission waitlist?

  Yes. When there are more qualified applicants than spaces, a wait list of acceptable candidates is established for each grade. We do not rank our wait list, but if or when a space becomes available, the admission committee will review all applicant files to find the best fit for the grade, i.e. gender balance, personality, and ability to enhance the group of already enrolled students, etc.

  
  
  

• What criteria does Tenacre use to evaluate children?

  Tenacre seeks to enroll students who are eager learners, who exhibit strength, or promise of strength, in a variety of areas. We hope to identify families, not children alone, to whom our philosophy of nurturing and challenging each child, every day is as meaningful as it is to our school. School readiness skills (PK/K), past academic record (Grades 1-6), social development and prospects for growth are considered in the admission process, as is the overall composition of each class, including gender, age, diversity and skills.

• Does Tenacre offer Financial Aid?

  Believing strongly that the cost of an independent school education should not be a deterrent to any prospective student or family, Tenacre has a long-standing policy of offering need-based financial aid to eligible applicants. For the 2021-22 academic year, Tenacre awarded over $1 million in financial aid to approximately 20% of the student body. You will find more detailed information on our Financial Aid page or by calling our Admission Office. We are happy to answer all of your questions.

• Do you accept late applications?

  Recognizing that there are many reasons why a family may need to submit an application after February 8, 2023, we do accept late applications. We cannot, however, guarantee that we will have openings, or financial aid, beyond our initial round of acceptances.  After April 10 we will be happy to consider a late application if an appropriate space is available.

• Does Tenacre have a sibling acceptance policy?

  Tenacre is a family school that gives preference to applications from current siblings and children of staff but does not guarantee a place for them. In terms of both readiness and skills, siblings must meet the same criteria as non-siblings.  Our overall goal is for every child to have a successful experience at Tenacre. Pre-Kindergarten offers an early Admission process for siblings and staff children with decisions posting in early December.