Acton-Boxborough Regional High School

What you should know about this school is; it is not for the faint of heart or wallet. Culture of perfection here. Culture of private tutoring. My junior has been crying for two weeks, feeling like she will never get into college. She has a solid B average in advanced classes! She has been dancing for 10 years. She has done 65 hrs community service, her PSAT's are 2100. But, in this culture, she feels like she is nothing. If your child is not a super go-getter, and you want this high school, do what I couldn't afford to do, and pay the $75 per hour for tutoring. I am about to plunk down a very large sum for SAT prep. Everyone else in town has.
—Submitted by a parent

Transferring from another town and private school to start as a freshman at the High school was not an easy task for my child. However, AB managed to make it a painless process. We could not be happier. Excellent teachers, multi- leveled teaching, fabulous building and infinite clubs selections. It's a big school but AB manages to make it feel homey. There's a spot for everyone, whether you are athletic or musical, a math wiz or a bookworm. The head is lovely, young and energetic. The foreign language options are quite extensive compared to other High schools in the area. And guess what? For a school in suburban New England, this school is quite diverse with a strong population of Chinese and Indian Americans. A real winner!
—Submitted by a parent

From its Blue Ribbon Award to the 20 National Merit Scholars every year Forbes' ranking Acton the number 2 town in America for education, to its seven levels of classes for students everywhere on the academic spectrum, Acton-Boxborough deserves its reputation of being a school where all students excel. Students are trusted with privileges by the administration and learn responsibility. All teachers put students first. The diversity and social scene here have been great for my son. And while many insist high quality education can only come with big funding, Acton manages to outperform every high school in the state with the fifth lowest per pupil expenditure in Greater Boston.
—Submitted by a parent

While this school offers a great acedemic experience for students who are already highly motivated, it has very little to offer to those that need motivation. They will fall through the cracks. Teachers and councilors had stated to me that they oversaw a lot of students, by way of explaination. During the years that my children attended, the High School was run as an "open campus" What a disaster! The VP and I figured that in freshman class, at that time about 500 students, 20% might not be accounted for. 100 students who could not be accounted for in the freshman class alone! I was shocked. What about the schools liability for these students? No answer from administration. I understand that recently this "open campus consept" has changed. I certainly hope so for the vast majority of those students that are below the 50% percentile. This is a great school for some, but truly not for all the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Two of my children went to this school and loved it. They did very well academically but more than anything AB made them well rounded individuals. The teachers in AB are exceptional. There is a lot of diversity in this school. The students are very tolerant, friendly and helpful. Highly recommend AB to all.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student at a fantastic university and a former student at Acton-Boxborough, I'd must say that AB has been the best preparation for college that I could have ever asked for. The academics are rigorous, the students self-motivated, the atmosphere for excellence ever-present in the air. To be sure, excellence at AB extends to an array of areas. With academics aside, I met students who were truly gifted in sports, in theater/drama, in music (band, chorus). The teachers are (for the most part--there are always exceptions, at every institution) truly invested in, and devoted to, what they teach. They are interested in our opinions and encourage us to further explore our interests! The administration gives us a fair degree of freedom, from which mutual trust between admin and the student body grows. Nevertheless, the environment that the students cultivate, I'd have to say, is the most nourishing of all. At AB, there is a love of learning and a love of helping others learn that I found to be similar to what I found in college. Without my peers, I don't think I would be performing so successfully here at Harvard.
—Submitted by a student

OMG I love this school district! We moved 2500 miles so our kids could attend these schools and they are incredible. It's all about the amazing teachers-- dedicated, nurturing, hardworking, and brilliant, with very high expectations. Our kids have different learning styles and are working hard and challenged every day. The teaching of math, writing, and critical thinking skills is world class. To top it off, families and kids in this town are genuinely nice, friendly and supportive. We've lived all over the country and have never experienced such a pro-education community. The surroundings are beautiful and if schools are your priority, look no further.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm blown out. Even though the rigor of academics has been oppressive at times, it has prepared me well. By some miracle (AB has spotty prestigious college admission success) I'm at an ivy-level school and, now in my sophomore year, I've never gotten anything less than a 94 in a class (even when test averages were in the 60s), and I've never felt like I had to work hard for my grades alone. Instead, I have time to actually learn for enjoyment, which is a true gift made possible by AB. I'm never stressed, and love getting to know professors and having time for a social life. The prep school kids aren't as well prepared! I had great teachers for all but senior English, and made incredible friends here. If you can stick it out, you will be well prepared for the next step.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm currently a student at AB and I absolutely love it. Classes here are very difficult (especially honors), but the teachers are amazing and I learn so much. Despite the stress I often have, I know i will be well prepared for college and life.
—Submitted by a student

Four years ago, I would have been amazed to see myself giving my high school five stars. There were MANY times throughout my experience at AB where I was completely overwhelmed by the academic rigor (as a kid who switched from private to public school I thought it would be a piece of cake, boy was I wrong) as well as the overall cut-throat competitive spirit that is AB. But as a college freshman looking back, I realize that AB was a totally awesome school. Hard yes. But still fun. And it is crazy to realize the advantage I have been enjoying at college compared to my peers; so far University has been a breeze. All that being said, the stress level at AB is probably a little bit higher than most schools. If you can handle the pressure, its completely worth it.
—Submitted by a student

Just voted a Blue Ribbon School from the DOE...only 39 HS's in the country get that honor.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a great kid, and a good student: meaning she tries, but she isn't at the rop of her class. At her last high school, this meant that she wasn't a priority, but not here. Thie school stands apart from the rest because it doesn't teach to, or even care about, standardized tests. This means that the people at AB are more concerned with my daughter the person than my daughter the number. Even though she is considered to be in the middle of her class, the standards are higher here and for the first time in my memory, she's started doing her homework immediately after ballet without me nagging. She's even made friends and its only her freshmen year. i highly recommend this school to any parent who feels that their child is falling through the cracks and is undervalued at her current school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a student here, and I just got my acceptance letter to Yale last week, so I'd like to thank the Acton system. Despite having the 5th lowest per pupil expenditure east of Worcester, ABRHS has taught me not only english and history, but also how to deal with life situations and how to treat other people. I've played in the band, and it is excellent. I also how enjoyed working with amnesty international and the track team (DCL champs) with the school. I commend the new principal for being top notch and facilitating a smooth transition. The best teachers I've had are stellar, and the worst are mediocre: AB doesn't hire bad teachers. The food is horrid, the buiding is nice, and I enjoy the trust and flexibility the school gives us students. OVerall, I wouldn't change a thing.
—Submitted by a student

This is really a pretty good school. I'm a junio this year and I've got to admit I'm having fun doing all sorts of activities. Yes we've only had two weeks of school and yes I've already had 1-2 tests in each subject, but I feel like I'm actually learning, you know? Not just like I'm memorizing stuff I'll forget tomorrow. I think the teachers are really good and so are the after school activities and electives. Also, I know it's a bonus, but the buildings in great shape, too. If you go here/send your kid here, you won't regret it!
—Submitted by a student

I am a student and when I consider the experiences I've had at the two other high schools that I've attended, I can say without hesitation that ABRHS is by far the finest institution. There are two things that stand out the most at this school. First is the tolerant student body, and staff. In every room in the school there is a 'safety zone' poster reminding us that we are valued. This is a contrast to the other schools I've attended, and it is a welcome change. Secondly, the rigor of the academics is outstanding. It is competative, but this competative environment is healthy and not stressful, which leads to this district's top performance in many fields. I'd finally like to not that we students are trusted with many freedoms including an open campus and unsupervized free periods for students schedualed with enough instructional hours. ABRHS, keep it up!
—Submitted by a student

Kids here are put under a lot of pressure to perform. For me, this comes from the competative nature of my peers more than from teachers of even parents. What I love about this school is that is very welcoming to diversity, and that it doesn't let its lack of reasources impact its ability to do well. Every one othe sports teams and clubs that I have participated in have been excellent, and they are all tailored to do well without demanding ridiculous amounts of time form out already full scheduals. This school is also in a very safe community, students have an unparalleled amount of rightsm and the building is new and is the nicest high school I've ever attended. You will be well prepared for college if you attend this school.
—Submitted by a student

This school is simply excellent for many reasons. When I first moved to Acton, it was supposed to be temporary, yet after my daughter has began to attend this school, I decided to stay. She participates in cross-country in the fall, and track in the spring. Also, she is on the competitive Indian dancing team and STUCO. Every one of these activities have been great, as Acton's lack of healthy funding has led it to become a pioneer of the most effective and efficient use of money in the state. In the clubs, integrity is the primary expectation, and every student is given the drive to excell. My daughter is also in two honors, one AP, and two accelerated classes. Across the board, I have found the teachers and staff supportive, well trained, and willing to go to the ends of the earth to ensure the success of every individual student.
—Submitted by a parent

Acton-Boxborough is really a miracle school district. I honestly don't understand how it performs to the standards it does; it's per-pupil expenditures are in the bottom quarter of the state, yet of all the high schools that can claim to be the best in Massachusetts, ABRHS has my vote without question. Also, the socio--economic climate of the community is very unique. While affluent, the homes here are noticibly smaller than those in the surrounding communities. I think this is significant as it contributes to the wonderful atmosphere of the school; namely, this is not a snob school. Academically, athletically, and in the arts this school really excells. however, that is not even what makes this school so outstanding. Unlike many high schools where the primery concern is to mass educate, Acton-boxborough operates on a core set of values. Every student is accepted more or less unconditionally by peers and teachers allike.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow. Just wow. This school has really taught my kids to excell. We just moved from Maryland where my children attended public school. I have three in the high school; an athletic boy, a more intellectual girl, and a son in band. Between them, they take almost every level of class offered at the school, are on 5 sports teams, and at least half a dozen clubs. Everything about this school from the staff to the diversity to the high standards in all areas of learning couldn't be better. I highly reccomend it. P.S. The building is probably the nicest and most technologically advanced in the state!
—Submitted by a parent

AB's teachers, guidance counselors and front office staff are truly awesome. They look out foor the kid's best interests and keep us parents informed.
—Submitted by a parent