Next Schools

Cambridge Friends School graduates are well prepared for their step up into secondary schools, and beyond. Many families report that their student was not only academically prepared, but also able to confidently self-advocate and be a go-to peer resource for friends seeking thoughtful advice. After graduation, typically over half of CFS students go on to prestigious independent schools while others choose to attend some of the excellent area public high schools.

The Next Schools Process

Our next schools process aims to help match students with secondary schools that align with their individual interests and academic goals as well as family priorities. The Next Schools team – which includes the Head of School and middle school teachers – works to support each student and family throughout the process, including exploring school options, standardized testing prep, visiting schools, scheduling interviews and tours, applications, and managing deadlines.

Starting in the spring of seventh grade, the Next Schools team meets with all the families and students together to kick off the process, and also meets individually with each family to discuss family priorities and student interests which helps identify potential schools. Over the summer, families interested in applying to independent schools are encouraged to get to know their schools of interest so they can return in the fall with a sense of the schools they would like to apply to.

In eighth grade, the academic curriculum helps support students to develop a rich understanding of who they are, how to present themselves, including the ability to talk and write confidently through mock interviews and speaking in Drama, and personal essays and textual analysis in Humanities. As families attend open houses and work through applications, the Next Schools team is there to support the student and family throughout. 

Below are some of the independent schools that Cambridge Friends graduates have recently been accepted: 

• Beaver Country Day School
• Boston University Academy
• Brimmer and May
• British International School
• Buckingham, Browne, & Nichols School
• Cambridge School of Weston
• Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall
• Commonwealth School
• Concord Academy
• Dublin School
• Gann Academy
• Meridian Academy
• New England Innovations Academy
• Philips Academy Andover
• Phillips Exeter Academy
• Rivers
• St. Andrew’s School (Delaware)
• The British School
• Winsor School
• Thayer Academy
• Noble and Greenough
• Milton Academy

Here are some of the public high schools that Cambridge Friends have attended in recent years:

• Arlington High School
• Cambridge Ringe and Latin School
• Minuteman High School
• Somerville High School
• and others