Student Life

What's it like to be a Commonwealth student? The answer comes in a myriad of moments...

Every day, Commonwealth’s character reveals itself as students ask questions, joke with each other and with teachers, and take on the topics and concerns that are foremost on their minds. An intense curiosity coupled with a sense of humor are apparent in all their school activities—organized and unplanned, academic and extracurricular.

Many students get to school early. They’ve come on foot, or via bicycle, train, bus, subway, or car, and are eager to get started with their day. They sit on the floor in a cozy alcove in the lobby, or migrate to the library, a classroom, or a studio.Some find teachers and talk before class.

At the end of the day the scene replays itself. Students stay to do homework, hold a club meeting, play in Jazz Ensemble. Some will go grab a snack in the neighborhood and come back for a play rehearsal. They seem reluctant to leave school. On other days, students scatter to sports venues for games and practices.

The atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Commonwealth students create their own culture, and it’s a very generous one. They accept each other, quirks and all. The chess enthusiast and the soccer captain have equal status. Students feel safe to be themselves here, at home in this small community that values diligent work, joyous play, and friendship.

The Benefits of Boston

In a variety of programs from 9th grade through 12th, Commonwealth students learn to take advantage of the unique opportunities a great city offers. Our neighborhood in the heart of Boston is among the city's most gracious, and our students enjoy the pleasures of a spring day outdoors on the Commonwealth Avenue mall.

Our location also means that, as one student put it, “we don't learn in a bubble; our campus is the city.” Community service projects bring students, singly and in groups, to many neighborhoods within the city and to towns across the metropolitan area.

The annual Project Week and Senior Projects connect our students to Boston's world-class scholars, artists, non-profit agencies, and businesses.

Athletes practice and play at fields and facilities in several locations.

As our students pass through Boston, they help shape the city. In return the city shapes school life and helps our students develop the initiative and ingenuity of city people.