Independent K-12 day school · est. 1902
Where curiosity becomes character.
A 480-student day school on a 64-acre campus in Lincoln, Massachusetts. 12:1 student-faculty ratio. 124 years of teaching the whole child. NEAS&C accredited.
NEAS&C accredited · AISNE member · 96% college acceptance · 12:1 ratio · Need-blind admissions for K-2
Marlowe in numbers
480
Students K–12
12:1
Student-faculty ratio
64 acres
Lincoln, MA campus
124 yrs
Founded 1902
Schedule a visit
The best way to know Marlowe is to visit
Group tours, private family visits, shadow days, open houses, and admissions meetings. Pick what fits.
Schedule a campus visit
Pick your visit type, the grade level you’re considering, and a window that works. Our admissions team will confirm within 1 business day.
Step 1 of 4
What kind of visit?
What sets Marlowe apart
The school + the experience
12:1 student-faculty ratio
Class sizes 14–17 students. Faculty know every student personally. Every Upper School student has a faculty advisor who follows them across years.
K-12 continuum on one campus
Lower (K–4), Middle (5–8), and Upper (9–12) Schools share a campus. Older students mentor younger ones. Sense of belonging across 13 years.
Whole-child philosophy
Academics, arts, athletics, character — equally weighted. We don’t over-prioritize one dimension. Students graduate as full humans, not just college applicants.
96% 4-year college acceptance
Class of 2025: 96% to 4-year colleges. Median outcome: small liberal arts colleges + research universities. Students choose based on fit, not status.
Faculty hiring + retention
Average faculty tenure: 14 years. Hiring is intensive (usually 1–2 hires per year). Salaries above-median for Massachusetts independent schools.
Need-blind admissions for K-2
K through Grade 2 admissions decisions made without seeing financial aid application. Aid follows for accepted students. Possible because of significant endowment + alumni giving.
Admissions process
From first visit to first day
- 1Step 1VisitGroup tour, private tour, shadow day, or open house. Most families do 1–2 of these in their decision-making process. Free; no commitment.
- 2Step 2ApplyApplication due dates: K-12 applications due Jan 15. Includes student application, parent statement, teacher recommendations, transcripts.
- 3Step 3Interview + assessmentStudent interview + age-appropriate assessment. Most happen between Jan 15 and Feb 28. Parent interview also typical.
- 4Step 4Decisions + enrollmentAdmission decisions released by March 15. Tuition contracts due by April 15. We have rolling admissions for late-summer transfers based on space.
From families
What parents say
“Both our children have been at Marlowe since K. The continuity has been transformative — the same teachers know them, support them, and watch them grow. The whole-child approach is real, not marketing.”
M&
M. & K. R.
Lincoln, MA · Parents of two · 8 years at Marlowe
“We came from a high-pressure private school. Marlowe is academically rigorous without the toxic competition. Our daughter still pushes herself; she just isn’t breaking down doing it.”
P&
P. & D. L.
Wayland, MA · Transferred Grade 9
“The faculty knows my son. I mean really knows him — his interests, his quirks, his struggles. That’s rare in any school. He’s become more himself here.”
TH
T. H.
Concord, MA · Lower School parent
Common questions
What prospective families ask first
- K–4: $52,800. 5–8: $58,400. 9–12: $62,800. Approximately 38% of students receive financial aid; average award $32,000. See tuition-and-aid page for full details + how aid is determined.