The School - Beaver Country Day School

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.

For our students to be ready for the future, it is our responsibility to create opportunities that lead to passion projects, expand learning well beyond the classroom walls, and foster mindsets that teach risk taking, flexibility, and resilience.
Kim Samson, Head of School

Who We Are

We expand the nature of school by developing deeper learning through evolving next practices in education, supported by a healthy community culture with a future-focused approach.

The BVR Vision

Head of School

What We Believe

We honor the dignity of each individual and celebrate the collective of our community.

DEIJB at BVR

Core Programming

The Hiatt Center

The Hiatt Center expands the nature of school by leveraging creativity & design for social impact. It isn’t a physical center; it’s a fully integrated program that gives our students the resources to lead and effect change.

More about the Hiatt Center

Health & Wellness

We prioritize the Health and Wellness of our entire community, and we are committed to creating a culture that supports the mental, physical, emotional, social, and intellectual well being of each student.

NuVu

Beaver is the founding partner of NuVu—pronounced “new-view”—an innovative trimester-length program whose pedagogy is based on the studio model of teaching and learning.

More about Beaver

Fast Facts

Co-educational, Grades 6-12
Founded in 1920 as an all-girls independent and college-preparatory school
Became co-educational in 1971
134 students in the middle school
366 students in the upper school
25% students of color, 20% faculty/staff of color
50% of students come from public and charter schools, 50% from independent and parochial schools
25% 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 60 communities in and around Boston and speak 20 different languages at home

Affiliations & Accreditations

Beaver is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) 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)

Board of Trustees

24-25 Board President: Heeten Kalan P’21, ’23

As the school’s governing body, the Board of Trustees plays a central role in overseeing the school’s operations and in planning Beaver’s future. The board’s responsibilities include setting and implementing strategic goals to fulfill the school’s mission and ensuring its financial health. While day-to-day operations are the responsibility of the management team, longer-term projects often originate and take shape at the board level.

Learn more about the Board