While we aim to give you a sense of Roxbury Latin, and answer many of your questions, through our website, we pride ourselves on creating a personal admission experience for each family and prospective student. Please contact our admission office at any time throughout the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the size of the school and what are the entry grades?

    Roxbury Latin has 306 students enrolled in grades 7 through 12. The primary entry point for students is the 7th grade (Class VI), where we admit usually 42 to 45 boys. The secondary entry point is the 9th grade (Class IV), where we add typically an additional 12 to 14 students. 

    The school gladly accepts applications to other grades, and occasionally students will gain admittance into the 8th grade (Class V) and the 10th grade (Class III), though this is not the normal course and families should understand that the likelihood of admittance to these grades is lower.

  • What is the cost of tuition to attend Roxbury Latin?

    The tuition cost for the 2023-2024 academic year is $39,250.

  • Is financial aid available?

    Yes. 39% of students are receiving financial aid for the current academic year. 

    The school understands that affordability and accessibility are paramount to ensuring a diverse community of learners. For this reason, the school supports a robust financial aid program to support families whose sons attend the school. Roxbury Latin works to maintain a comparatively low tuition cost and grants generous financial aid so that deserving boys may join our community and take part fully in the programs the school offers, unimpeded by the limitations of their families’ resources. (Tuition at Roxbury Latin is approximately $19,000 less than the average day school tuition of other Boston area independent schools.) 

    To learn more about the school’s financial aid policies and deadlines, please visit the Tuition & Financial Aid webpage or contact Karen Dinon, Director of Financial Aid, at 617.477.6341.

  • What does it mean that Roxbury Latin is “need-blind”?

    The admission and financial aid offices operate independently at Roxbury Latin, so that the standards of admission to the school are freed from the financial constraints encumbering other institutions in their decisions. Many schools, in order to meet their budgetary constraints, must consider a family’s ability to pay when they evaluate an applicant’s candidacy. Roxbury Latin is fortunate to be in a position of eliminating such considerations. Priority then is placed on talent, potential, character, and desire—elements central to a boy’s fit within the school community and fundamentally important. 

    Roxbury Latin’s need-blind admission policy means that deserving boys will not be turned away from the school based on a family’s capacity to pay the tuition. In fact, it goes further to ensure that the Admission Committee considers applicants without knowledge of families’ financial needs. This differentiates Roxbury Latin from many schools, including those who characterize themselves as “need-aware,” because of the potency in coupling a need-blind admission process with a promise to meet the full demonstrated need of all families through the financial aid program. Few institutions are in a position to offer the same support. Roxbury Latin relies on its need-blind policy and its financial aid resources as it comprises classes rich in diversity and equitably assembled.

     

  • How do I start the application process?

    First, you must submit an Admission Inquiry Form. Following completion of this form, you will receive information about the school and its admission process through a mailed packet of materials. This packet will include instructions on how to begin our online application as well as an outline of important deadlines and required testing. 

    Visit the Applying page for more detailed instructions. At any point in the process, families should feel free to contact Mrs. Carolyn Powell in the Admission Office at 617.477.6317.

  • Is there an application fee?

    There is no application fee to apply to Roxbury Latin. All applicants are guaranteed a private tour of the school and interview on campus.

  • What qualities or materials does the Admission Committee consider?

    RL’s admission process enables each boy to provide the Admission Committee with a comprehensive picture of himself. Consequently, our admission process doesn’t rely on a single aspect, such as a test score, but rather on a broad range of factors that allow us to identify the boys we choose to admit.

    We value passionate learners willing to engage broadly and deeply across our program, as well as boys who exhibit an interest in and concern for others. Demonstrated performance inside and outside of the classroom is important, as is a boy’s positive contributions to the communities of which he is a part. Talent alone is not sufficient: We seek boys who also have personal qualities such as humility, selflessness, and kindness, in order to build the most inclusive and supportive community possible.

    You can learn more about this on the Admission Considerations page of the RL website.

  • What standardized tests do I need to take?
    • Applicants for grades 7 and 8 are required to take the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam). The Roxbury Latin School code is 220345. You may register for the test at the ERB/ISEE website.
    • Applicants for grade 9 or above are required to take the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test). The Roxbury Latin School code is 6178. You may register for the test at the SSAT website.
  • Do you accept international applications?

    Roxbury Latin is a day school, meaning all students commute to and from home each day.
    The school is willing to accept applications from families living outside of the United States; however, at least one parent must be planning to move to the Boston area with the student.

    For further information, please visit the International Applicants page

  • What if I have further questions?

    Roxbury Latin is a small school that cares to make the experience personal. This is true of the admission process, just as it is true in other facets of school life. Please call or email the Admission Office at any time with your questions, and we would be very happy to assist you as you consider Roxbury Latin for your son. 

    t: 617.477.6317
    e: admission@roxburylatin.org