About Us
Beaver is so much more than a school—we are at the forefront of education. We consistently look beyond tradition, and beyond our walls to learn from and partner with the best. Because of this we are able to present classic and innovative subject matter in a creative environment that yields real results.
We are a community of thinkers & doers.
Students
Our students grow and develop, learn who they are, what they want, and how to get it. They thrive discovering the whats, exploring the hows, and challenging the whys with tools and partners that reflect the ever-changing now.
Teachers
Beaver teachers are mentors, experts, collaborators, and motivators, dedicated to each and every student reaching their potential. They are more than instructors—they are the designers of rich learning experiences.
Alumni
Beaver alumni stand out: not only for the strength of our college list and the wide range of degrees they pursue, but for the resilience, curiosity, and innovative ideas they carry into life beyond college.
The Beaver Mission & Mindset
OUR MISSION
Beaver strives to expand the nature of school for students and teachers.
We are deeply committed to individual student success in an actively collaborative environment, our teachers challenge students to:
Identify and build upon strengths
Engage with real-world challenges and questions
Act effectively within a diverse cultural and social framework
OUR MINDSET
The Beaver Mindset is a uniquely designed framework, underpinning the pedagogy and philosophy for how our students and faculty experience school.
We present knowledge critical to success in a way that is fresh, experiential, and contextually relevant. We expect Beaver students to dig deeper, think bigger, and do more with what they are learning.
The BVR Basics
Beaver students are immersed in complex challenges and meaningful work—where ideas spark action, exploration is encouraged, and the classroom can be anywhere.
As a future-focused school, we design curriculum that goes beyond the basics. These BVR Basics do more than prepare our students for college—they prepare them for life. Every course and project builds these crucial skills alongside deep content knowledge.
- creative problem-solving
- collaboration
- tech & media literacy
- global perspective
- empathy
- visual communication
- presentation skills
Today’s world is dynamic and demanding. Mastering facts is essential, but only the beginning. Students must know how to apply their knowledge, adapt to change, and lead with confidence and empathy.
More about Beaver
- Co-educational, Grades 6-12
- Founded in 1920 as an all-girls independent and college-preparatory school
- Became co-educational in 1971
- 115 students in the middle school
- 340 students in the upper school
- 32% students of color, 20% faculty/staff of color
- 47% of students come from public and charter schools, 53% from independent and parochial schools
- 29% of students receive financial aid
- Located 3 miles west of Boston in Chestnut Hill (on Brookline/Newton line)
- 17-acre wooded campus in a suburban neighborhood
- Easy access to public transportation via the MBTA Green Line (Chestnut Hill stop)
- Students come from over 66 communities in and around Boston and speak 20 different languages at home
Beaver is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) and its affiliations include:
- The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS);
- The Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE);
- The Independent Curriculum Group (ICG)
- The Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS);
- The National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
- The Cum Laude Society
- The College Board
- The Boston Center for Community and Justice (BCCJ)