FAQs

As a school for boys, we focus on what makes boys tick, both individually and together. We believe that boys’ schools can support boys particularly well. Here boys study, think, and achieve in the classroom without embarrassment or apology. Many educators believe that single-sex education offers students significant benefits. We endorse that which is positive about boys’ schools, while striving to make certain that our students are sensitive to and well-prepared for the world around them. Belmont Hill is a founding member of the International Boys’ School Coalition. Find more information here. While Belmont Hill is an all boys’ school and has been since 1923, we interact with girls’ schools in many different ways. Our students benefit from long-term relationships with two girls’ schools in particular: The Winsor School in Boston and Dana Hall School in Wellesley.

Yes! Belmont Hill currently runs eight bus routes through the city of Boston and the surrounding metropolitan areas. Click here to see the routes and find more information.

Yes! Daily continental breakfast, milk and cookies, fresh fruit, and lunch are included in tuition.

Follow this link to see where the most recent Belmont Hill graduates have gone to college.

Space and availability varies each year, but we generally enroll approximately:

• 50 in Form I (grade 7)

• 12 in Form II (grade 8)

• 20 in Form III (grade 9)

• 4 in Form IV (grade 10)

• 4 in Form V (grade 11)

Yes! While Belmont Hill is an all-boys school, we interact with girls’ schools in many different ways. Boys benefit from our long-term relationships with three girls’ schools in particular: The Winsor School in Boston, Dana Hall School in Wellesley, and Newton Country Day School in Newton. 

The Winsor School Connection
Since 1973, Belmont Hill and Winsor, an all-girls' school in Boston, have collaborated on a number of projects, most notably in drama. The two schools work together on a newspaper (called The Panel), producing two joint issues per year, and also share a boathouse. The schools plan dances together, including Junior and Senior Proms, and social events, such as skating, open gym, dances, and carnivals, for younger students. 

The Dana Hall School Connection
Belmont Hill and Dana Hall enjoy a variety of joint activities, including dances that bring together girls from Dana Hall and boys from Belmont Hill. Additionally, the two schools have joined forces in the past to collaborate on community service projects.

The Newton Country Day School School Connection
The seventh graders at Belmont Hill and Newton Country Day School spend a day together at the annual "We LEAD" event, which is facilitated by Peer Leaders and tackles relevant social and health issues.  The two schools alternate who hosts the conference.  Belmont Hill and Newton Country Day also join forces for the New Freedoms event, which unites seniors from the schools to discuss developing healthy habits and relationships. 

One of the things that makes Belmont Hill distinctive is that our 9th grade is a part of our Middle School. Whereas in many environments "freshmen" are relegated to the periphery, our 9th graders are expected to be leaders. For new students, this means that they will enter our school able to take an active role in many extra curricular activities while still receiving the nurturing academic support that our younger boys receive. Ninth grade students attend one proctored study hall each day, where they learn valuable study, organizational, and time management skills that are necessary for success in the Upper School.

While no one piece of the application process is more important than another, boys must demonstrate that they can excel in a rigorous academic program. Thus, a boy's transcript, recommendations and test scores are carefully reviewed by the admission committee. Though a strong academic record is important, we seek to enroll boys with widespread interests and talents. As a school we ask boys to take part in a whole host of academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities, and boys who have the energy and interest to challenge themselves in different ways can have an outstanding impact on our campus. Finally, Belmont Hill faculty and students pride themselves on being a "character school," and the admission committee seeks boys who demonstrate both leadership and outstanding character development.

Yes. Belmont Hill students are required to wear a blazer, dress shirt, tie, and khakis each day. Interviewing students are encouraged to follow our dress code.

No. Belmont Hill's program of financial aid is entirely need-based: awards are made solely on the basis of a family's ability to pay. As part of the ISL (Independent School League), Belmont Hill is bound by rules that restrict all financial aid to need-based awards.

Admission applications are read without regard for a family’s ability to pay. While the Admission and Financial Aid processes are separate and distinct, in most years, at the end of the process, the Admission and Financial Aid Committees must weigh admission decisions against available financial aid funds. Belmont Hill is fortunate to award $5.9 million in financial aid each year, but these funds are not unlimited.

Yes. Each financial aid student's percentage of aid granted for tuition will apply to many areas of school life beyond tuition. In addition, all financial aid students are eligible for assistance to defray costs associated with the School's BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program.

Belmont Hill uses School and Student Services (follow this link to the SSS website) to process our financial aid applications. SSS collaborates with the National Association of Independent Schools and is used by most independent schools to calculate need. Based on the financial information you submit, SSS provides an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. Among other things, SSS takes into account:

• Income of both parents
• Family assets
• Age of both parents
• Number of dependents
• Number of children in tuition charging schools

Belmont Hill expects both parents to contribute to educational costs. The custodial parent (and spouse) and the non-custodial parent (and spouse) must both submit a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and all tax forms as stated in the SSS instructions. If the whereabouts of the non-custodial parent are unknown, contact the Director of Financial Aid for further instruction.

In addition to uploading completed tax returns (including all schedules) and W2’s to SSS, business owners who file a Schedule E for an S-Corp or Partnership are required to include a Schedule K-1(Form 1120S) or Schedule K-1(Form 1065) for each business entity. These forms should be uploaded for each business entity under each tax year in SSS (or under Additional Documents if needed).

*If you are a returning student applying for financial aid for the first time, please contact the Director of Financial Aid by November 15.

Please submit documents to SSS (http://sss.nais.org/Parents)

Yes. Financial aid is considered for families (both new and returning) that meet the document deadlines prior to considering those who apply late.

Yes. Financial aid awards are recalculated each year. Enrolled families must complete the PFS and submit required tax forms every November to establish need for the next academic year.

Yes, your financial aid award will remain at a similar level as long as your financial situation does not change. Please be aware, however, that annual tuition adjustments will affect the amount your family contributes.  Changes to your financial situation that could further affect your family contribution (as outlined by SSS) include, but are not limited to, changes in the following: income, assets, business profit/loss, family size, and number of children in tuition-charging schools.  Financial aid awards are reviewed each year using your current financial documents. Enrolled families must complete the PFS (Parent Financial Statement) and submit required tax forms every November to establish need for the next academic year.

If your family finances have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, the "Other Considerations" field at the end of the PFS is the best place to include that information, and supporting documents (unemployment information, last pay stub, current balance sheets/P&L statements for businesses, etc.) should be uploaded under "Additional Documents."