Impact at a Glance
- 200+ Students served annually
- 25 Students per Academy Year cohort
- 6:1 Student–teacher ratio
- 97% Students of color
- 98% High school graduation rate
- 92% College matriculation rate
- 112 Colleges attended
- 380+ Alumni since 2006
Admissions
You Belong Here
At Beacon Academy, we believe talent is everywhere—and access to opportunity should be, too.
Beacon recruits students in 8th grade and partners with them for the long term: from high school placement during the Academy Year through college graduation and into career launch. Our program is tuition-free, and our expectations are high.
If you are motivated, curious, and ready to work hard, Beacon may be right for you.
What It Means to Be a Beacon Student
Beacon is a rigorous, multi-year commitment built on deep support and high expectations. We look for potential—not perfection. We seek out students who are ready to grow.
As a Beacon student, you will:
- Complete an intensive “gap” year which mixes rigorous curriculum from 8th and 9th grades
- Prepare for and apply to strong, rigorous independent schools
- Receive individualized academic advising and mentorship
- Build the skills and confidence to thrive in demanding environments
- Access sustained academic, social/emotional, and mental health support through high school, college, and early career exploration
Who Can Apply
Beacon Academy recruits students who:
- Are currently in 8th grade
- Live in Boston and surrounding cities or towns
- Demonstrate academic promise
- Are motivated to attend an independent high school or boarding school
- Are prepared to commit to a long-term, rigorous program
Families must also be ready to actively partner with Beacon throughout the journey.
Why Tuition-Free Matters
Beacon Academy is tuition-free.
Removing cost as a barrier allows students to fully engage in rigorous academics, individualized advising, and sustained college and career guidance—without added financial burden.
By combining access, individualized support, and long-term commitment, Beacon helps students persist—and succeed—at every stage.
Community Voices
Our admissions process is holistic and selective. We consider:
- Academic records
- Teacher recommendations
- A student interview
- Family engagement
- Readiness for long-term commitment
- We seek students who are ready to embrace challenge and opportunity.
- Families must complete a Clarity Financial Aid application
- Information Sessions: Coming soon
- Application Deadline: Coming soon
- Interviews: Coming soon
- Decisions Released: Coming soon
Note: applications must be completed and submitted before interviews are scheduled
Take the First Step
Beacon Academy is a long-term investment in your future.
The Application Process
Step 4
Complete our financial aid application. Beacon Academy uses the Clarity Tuition application* to securely submit your financial aid application. Please see below for instructions:
- Visit Clarity and sign up for your account.
- Follow the prompts on your screen. The application should take no more than 30 minutes, is mobile-friendly, and is available in English or Spanish.
- Contact our admissions team in order to receive a fee waiver code before submitting. No Beacon Academy applicant should pay a fee to submit the financial aid application.
For more information on completing the Clarity Tuition application, please click here. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
*Families who are applying to other independent schools may already be applying for financial aid through the School and Student Services website (PFS). If this is the case for your family, you do not need to complete the Clarity application, and can simply add “Beacon Academy” to your list of schools on the PFS in order to share your application with us.