Fay School (2026 Profile) - Southborough, MA

5.00 (1 review)

Tel: (508) 490-8201

48 Main Street
Southborough, MA 01772

www.fayschool.org

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Fay School Photo #1 - Fay School is an independent, co-educational school 25 miles from Boston serving students in kindergarten through grade 9, with boarding available for grades 7-9. Our school is a place of discovery, challenge, collaboration, and growth - a closely-knit learning community where our skillful, dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve excellence in all pursuits.

Fay School Photo #2 - Fay is a "home away from home" for our residential students. Students live, learn, and grow together with guidance and supervision from dedicated teachers and staff, the majority of whom live on campus.

Fay School Photo #3 - Family-style meals at Fay are a longstanding tradition. Faculty members join the students for meals and students take turns as waiters. It is an opportunity to relax with friends and catch up on school news.

Fay School Photo #4 - The Fay School Innovation Lab is a 3,000 square foot lab space open to Fay faculty, staff, and students from K through ninth grade, with dedicated spaces for video production, programming, designing, building, and tinkering.

Fay School Photo #5 - Our faculty is distinguished not just in their level of expertise in their respective fields, but in their commitment to the practice of teaching. 80% of our faculty have earned master`s degrees: they are leaders in their disciplines as published authors, conference speakers, and mentors.

Fay School Photo #6 - Students compete against other independent schools in a variety of sports, and over the years we have developed friendly rivalries with these teams. Athletics at Fay brings our community together as participants and spectators, maintaining bonds of school spirit and pride.

Fay School Photo #7 - Fay School values the arts as a part of each student''s educational experience. From Kindergarten through grade nine, students engage in music, visual art, and drama instruction led by experienced practitioners who build upon the innate creativity and curiosity within each child and allow them to give artistic expression to emotions and ideas.

Fay School Photo #8 - Our drama productions regularly fill our theater, with audience members from the school community and beyond. Recent productions have included Guys and Dolls, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Annie, and Once on this Island.

Fay School Photo #9 - Fay is recognized around the world for its superior educational program, and our graduates are accepted to top secondary schools, including Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Deerfield Academy, and Groton School.

Fay School Photo #10 - At Fay, Upper School begins in seventh grade. Students participate in an engaging and challenging academic program that includes English, mathematics, science, history, and world languages. Students may choose from French, Spanish, Chinese, or Latin.

Fay School was founded in 1866 as the first junior boarding school in the United States.

Our 66-acre campus is located in Southborough, MA, just 25 miles from Boston.

Our community includes 475 students in Kindergarten through grade nine.

Of those, 150 students are boarders who come from across the United States and over 25 countries.

Fay is recognized around the world for its superior educational program, and our graduates are accepted to top secondary schools, including Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Deerfield Academy, and Groton School (click here for the complete list).

In addition to the core courses of mathematics, science, English, and history, students take art, music, drama, creativity and design, and world languages.

Students also focus on the design thinking process with courses in our 3,000 square-foot Innovation Lab.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-9
Grades: (Day Students) K-9
Enrollment: 475 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $79,400
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $47,900
Average class size: 14 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Fay School

School Focus

Junior Boarding School

Grades Offered (Boarding)

7-9

Grades Offered (Day)

K-9

School Type

Co-ed

Supports Learning Differences (LD)

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Mild Learning Differences

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1866

Campus Size

66 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

Poteris Modo Velis (“You can if you will”)

Student Body

Enrollment

475 students

% International Students

60%

% Students Boarding

50%

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Average Class Size

14 students

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

80%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

Accreditations

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

n/a

Courses

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$66.7 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$79,400
(ranges from $77,310 - $81,480 for grades 7-9)

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$47,900
(ranges from $45,810 - $49,980 for grades 7-9)

Tuition international students

$82,990

Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)

$71,610

% Students on Financial Aid

25%

Merit Scholarships Offered

n/a

Admissions

Application Deadline

Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

Director of Admissions

jennifer Weeden

Associate Director of Admissions

Matthew Greene

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

BaseballBasketball

Cross CountryField Hockey

Track and FieldVolleyball

Wrestling

School Mascot

Mortimer the Moose

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Admission Tour GuidesDance Club

Debate ClubMathCounts

Outdoor AdventureQuilting

Student GovernmentYearbook

Arts and Music Programs:

DramaImprov

Jazz Club

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Fitness ClubGolf Club

SkiingSwimming

Yoga

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

Fay School is a day and boarding school for students in Kindergarten through grade nine. While the School has grown and evolved since its founding in 1866, our central purpose has remained constant: we provide our students with the foundation for a meaningful life. Fay's broad and challenging program empowers students to discover their talents, develop their intellectual abilities, establish essential academic skills and knowledge, and define their moral character - all essential to living a life of meaning and making a positive difference in the world.
Our community is built on five core values: Academic Excellence, Honorable Conduct, Dedicated Service, Earnest Effort, and Wellness of Mind, Body, and Spirit. Our school motto, Poteris Modo Velis ("You can if you will") highlights our community's emphasis on determination, effort, and resilience.
LD types supported: Mild Learning Differences
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Tony Abbott, Pulitzer-prize nominated author, class of '49 -
- André Bishop, Artistic Director at Lincoln Center Theater with 13 Tony awards, class of '62 -
- Eric Chou, Taiwanese singer, songwriter and actor, class of '10 -

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Fay School cost?

Fay School's tuition is approximately $79,400 for boarding students and $47,900 for day students.

What schools are Fay School often compared to?

Fay School is often viewed alongside schools like The Bement School by visitors of our site.

Who are famous alumni from Fay School?

Fay School famous alumni include: Tony Abbott, Pulitzer-prize nominated author, class of '49, André Bishop, Artistic Director at Lincoln Center Theater with 13 Tony awards, class of '62 and Eric Chou, Taiwanese singer, songwriter and actor, class of '10.

What sports does Fay School offer?

Fay School offers 15 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.

Does Fay School offer a summer program?

Yes, Fay School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

When is the application deadline for Fay School?

The application deadline for Fay School is Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Fay School Alumni #1
Class of 2014
5.008/5/2019
St. John’s College

We had mandatory volunteer work, but we took a service trip to the Dominican Republic in my last year there as a class. Also the advisors were amazing, cared so much more than any other. . .

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