Independently researched by doris. Not yet claimed by the school
Tip
Compiled by doris from the school’s website and other public sources. We aim for accuracy and welcome corrections — email support@doris.school. Schools can claim this profile to manage it directly.
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Cultural and Language, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction
Founded in 1890, The MacDuffie School is a co‑educational, college‑preparatory day and boarding program located on a 250‑acre campus in Granby, Massachusetts. The Upper School follows seven academic departments: Arts, English, Physical and Health Education, History, Mathematics, Science, and World Languages. An English Language Learners program supports non‑native speakers, and graduation requires 15 core credits plus an arts requirement. The school pursues in‑depth study with small classes (average 10 students) and a student‑teacher ratio of 6:1, plus a one‑to‑one technology environment powered by a high‑speed fiber network and Google Workspace. The campus houses on‑site boarding, athletics fields, and on‑site labs for two years of laboratory science. The community emphasizes writing, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections. The Ames Hill family‑style program for international students is a feature. Distinctive features include relocation to Granby in 2011 and active arts and service programs, including publications, theatre productions, and CAP co‑curricular activities for students.
66 School St., Granby, Massachusetts 01033, United States
Gallery
The school has not added photos
Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials
The MacDuffie School has 210 pupils, typical class sizes of 11, instruction in English.
Location
66 School Street, Granby, Massachusetts 01033. The MacDuffie School is located in Granby, Massachusetts. The campus spans 250-acre campus and offers boarding facilities.
Stages
Middle and Upper School (grades 6-12)
Type
co-educational, college preparatory school
Pupil Nationality Mix
Students hail from over 18 countries, including China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Montenegro, and Russia, and from over 8 U.S. states.
Additional learning support
English Language Learners (ELL) program provides English grammar and composition support and language skills development for TOEFL/SAT preparation.
School day structure
The academic year has two semesters. Classes meet for 50-minute periods four days per week, and lab sciences meet in longer double periods. Graduation requirements include a minimum of 20 academic credits in grades 9-12, with English, World Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Public Speaking, and Leadership components. The school offers AP courses and honors options.
Bus service
The MacDuffie Bus Service is free of charge and provided by a private bus company. Bus schedule includes West Springfield departures at 7:00 a.m. and Holyoke departures at 7:30 a.m., with MacDuffie arrival at 7:50 a.m. and afternoon departures from MacDuffie (times vary by day: 1:45 p.m. early dismissals; 5:20–5:40 p.m. regular days). Pickup locations: West Springfield – Bob's Discount Furniture behind Century Plaza (135 Memorial Avenue); Holyoke – Super Stop and Shop (28 Lincoln Street).
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Annual tuition at The MacDuffie School ranges from USD 29,880 to USD 78,120 for 2026/27.
Application fees
- A non-refundable application fee is charged at the time of application: USD 50 for Day applicants and USD 125 for International applicants.
Tuition and mandatory fees (annual amounts by enrollment type for the 2026–2027 academic year)
- Full-time Boarding students (grades vary by student): - Tuition: USD 65,300 per year. - Activities fee: USD 330 per year. - Boarding/International fee: USD 4,350 per year. - Laundry fee: USD 2,290 per year. - Health insurance: USD 2,700 per year (mandatory unless the student has qualifying US-based ACA-creditable coverage and opts out as permitted). - ELL (English Language Learning) fee (applies to new international students or students placed into ELL): USD 3,150 (waived if student places out of ELL). - Total listed for a full-time boarding student (including the items above): USD 78,120 per year.
- 5‑Day Boarding students: - Tuition: USD 65,300 per year. - Activities fee: USD 330 per year. - Boarding/International fee: USD 4,350 per year. - Health insurance: USD 2,700 per year. - ELL fee (where applicable): USD 3,150. - Total listed for a 5‑day boarding student: USD 75,830 per year.
- Upper School Day students (typically grades 9–12): - Tuition: USD 34,650 per year. - Activities fee: USD 330 per year. - Total listed for an Upper School Day student: USD 34,980 per year.
- Middle School Day students (typically grades 6–8): - Tuition: USD 29,550 per year. - Activities fee: USD 330 per year. - Total listed for a Middle School Day student: USD 29,880 per year.
- Homestay placement (where applicable for international students): - Tuition: USD 65,300 per year. - Activities fee: USD 330 per year. - Boarding/International fee: USD 4,350 per year. - Health insurance: USD 2,700 per year. - ELL fee (where applicable): USD 3,150. - Total listed for Homestay placement: USD 75,830 per year.
Per-term / per-installment detail
- Annual tuition and fees are published as yearly totals for each enrollment type above. No explicit per-term (semester/term) breakdown of tuition on the published fee schedule is provided; families are billed and may enroll in payment plans through the school's Student & Family Blackbaud portal. Payment plans and installment options are managed through that billing system.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Financial-aid award letters must be acknowledged and the signed financial-aid agreement returned with the deposit by March 15 (for the listed aid cycle). The deposit signifies acceptance of the award.
- Billing and payment administration are handled through the school's Student & Family Blackbaud portal; families receive invoices and enroll in payment plans via that system. Blackbaud Tuition Management supports flexible payment plans and multiple payment modalities (online payments, ACH/auto-draft, credit card, wire transfers), and schools commonly use that system to offer one-payment, two-payment, or monthly installment plans. Wire transfers to the tuition processor typically incur a processing fee (e.g., a common wire fee is USD 15 per wire when routed through that processor). Credit-card and certain convenience fees may apply when paying by card through the processor.
Boarding-specific notes
- For boarding students the published tuition includes room and board; additional mandatory boarding-related charges (boarding/international fee, laundry, health insurance) are listed separately and included in the totals shown above. Boarding students are provided three meals per day as part of room and board.
Other costs and common additional charges
- Activities fee: USD 330 per year (applies to all students). - Laundry fee (boarding): USD 2,290 per year (applies to full-time boarding). - Health insurance: USD 2,700 per year (mandatory unless a student has qualifying US-based ACA-creditable coverage and opts out where permitted). - ELL support fee: USD 3,150 (applies to new international students or students placed into ELL; waived if student places out of ELL). - Textbooks and course materials: Students are required to have suitable laptops and may need to purchase certain textbooks or materials; recommended device guidance and sample price ranges are provided (families should budget separately for a laptop or device). - Homestay or limited homestay fees may be charged for specific vacation periods when homestays are arranged; homestay availability is limited and offered at an additional fee.
Refunds and withdrawal
- No general, detailed tuition refund or withdrawal schedule is published alongside the school's posted tuition and fees schedule; the school requires families to follow the Business Office billing and enrollment agreement terms for deposits and financial-aid acknowledgement. For health/medical insurance purchased through the international student insurance plan, premium refunds are considered only in the event of withdrawal from school and are prorated by full months (refunded in 30-day increments of unused premium), subject to the insurer's approval and provided no claims have been paid for the refunded period.
Fee payment options and practical notes on methods
- The school uses a Blackbaud Student & Family portal for family billing and account access. Through that billing system families commonly can: set up ACH/auto-draft, pay online, use credit or debit cards, or arrange wire transfers; convenience or platform fees for card payments and modest wire-processing fees may apply when those methods are used. Specific convenience- or processing-fee amounts (for credit-card payments or international wires) are applied by the payment processor and are reflected on invoices when applicable. For one-off credit-card transactions with the Business Office (e.g., donations or other payments), the Business Office can accept card payments by contacting the Business Office staff.
Summary of key figures (annual totals by enrollment type)
- Full-time Boarding total: USD 78,120 per year. - 5‑Day Boarding total: USD 75,830 per year. - Upper School Day total: USD 34,980 per year. - Middle School Day total: USD 29,880 per year. - Homestay total: USD 75,830 per year.
Academics
The MacDuffie School teaches Advanced Placement (AP).
Curriculum
MacDuffie's curriculum spans seven academic departments: Arts, English, Physical and Health Education, History, Mathematics, Science, and World Languages. An English Language Learners (ELL) program supports non-native speakers. Upper School graduation requires 15 core credits: English 4; Mathematics 3; World Language 2; Science 2; History 2; Art 2, with English studied in every Upper School year. The Arts requirement includes a minimum of two years (2 credits) of art for graduation, in visual or performing arts. The curriculum emphasizes writing, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections, with small class sizes (average 10 students) and a student‑teacher ratio of 6:1. The school offers a range of Advanced Placement courses, including Biology, Calculus AB & BC, Chemistry, Computer Science Principles, English Language & Literature, Environmental Science, Latin, Physics 1 & 2, Spanish, Statistics, U.S. History, and World History; AP exams may be taken on campus if a course is not offered.
Student Teacher Ratio
Average Class Size: 10. Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1.
Exam Results
AP Exam Statistics (2024): 59 students sat for 123 exams; 61% scored 3 or above; 35% scored 4 or 5; 14 students were named AP Scholars (3+ exams).
Higher Education Progression
College matriculation (2019–2024) includes notable acceptances at Amherst College, California Institute of Technology, Colby College, Colgate University, College of the Holy Cross, Cornell University, Georgetown University, Grinnell College, Howard University, Pomona College, Princeton University, Tufts University, University of Florida, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, Williams College, and other institutions. International matriculation includes IE University Madrid, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Queen's University (Kingston), University of British Columbia, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Universiteit van Amsterdam, University of Bristol, University of Guelph, University of Leeds, and University of Toronto.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit the online application through the SSAT Standard Application Online (SAO). The first-round deadline for fall admissions is February 1; mid-year entry is also accepted. A non-refundable application fee is due with the submission: $50 for Day students and $125 for International students. If difficulties arise, contact the Admissions Office.
2. Supporting materials must be submitted to complete the file. The components include the Formal Online Application and Essays, Parents' Statement, and Official Academic Transcript from the current year and two prior years (translated if International). English Teacher Recommendation and Math Teacher Recommendation are required; School Recommendation (optional) and Personal Recommendation (optional) may also be submitted. Testing and the Interview are required parts of the file and are scheduled after the application and fee are submitted.
3. Testing: International Applicants must submit TOEFL or DET; The two accepted forms of testing are the TOEFL and DET. If taking the TOEFL, include The MacDuffie School Code (8821) when registering for the test. The application file must include testing results.
4. Interview: The interview is an important part of the admissions process and is scheduled after the online application and fee have been submitted. Plan about two hours for the campus tour and interview. If visiting is not possible, Zoom interviews may be conducted.
5. Admissions decisions: The first-round decision notifications are March 10. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis for any student who applies after March 10; late applicants should call admissions to discuss space availability.
6. Financial aid and enrollment: Financial aid applications have a February 1 deadline. Families complete the Parents' Financial Statement using Solutions by SSS; a letter notifying the recipient of awarded financial aid is sent with the admission letter; the signed financial aid agreement and enrollment deposit are due by March 15.
Scholarships
Local Town Scholarship: Originating in 2022, The MacDuffie School Local Town Scholarship is open to new students from the immediate area surrounding Granby, MA. The winner receives a full scholarship to attend The MacDuffie School and will be notified in early March. Runner-up applicants may receive partial scholarships and Tuition Assistance. To qualify, the candidate must have a completed application on file by February 1, 2026.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
Where is The MacDuffie School located and what grades does it serve?
The MacDuffie School sits on a 250-acre campus at 66 School Street, Granby, Massachusetts 01033. It serves Middle and Upper School students, specifically grades 6–12, and offers both day and boarding options.
Is The MacDuffie School co-educational and does it offer boarding?
Yes. The MacDuffie is a co-educational, independent college preparatory school with on-campus boarding facilities. Families can choose full-time boarding, 5-day boarding, or day programs.
When was The MacDuffie School founded and how large is the student body today?
The school opened in 1890. It currently has about 210 students, with a campus that supports on-site boarding.
What are the annual costs for different enrollment types for 2026–2027?
Full-time boarding totals 78,120 USD per year (including tuition, activities, boarding fee, laundry, health insurance, and ELL if applicable). Five-day boarding totals 75,830 USD per year. Upper School day is 34,980 USD, Middle School day is 29,880 USD, and homestay placement totals 75,830 USD per year.
What does the admission process involve and what fees apply?
Applicants submit an online SAO application with a non-refundable fee of 50 USD for Day students or 125 USD for International applicants. The process includes transcripts, recommendations, testing (TOEFL or DET for international students), an interview, and a campus tour. Financial aid deadlines are February 1, with aid awards announced with admission letters and a March 15 enrollment deposit deadline.
Is financial aid available and are there scholarships like a Local Town Scholarship?
Financial aid is available through Solutions by SSS, with an February 1 deadline for applications. The Local Town Scholarship offers a full scholarship to a qualifying local student, with runner-up options for partial scholarships, and requires an application by February 1, 2026.
What are the key features of MacDuffie's academic program (class size, APs, and graduation requirements)?
Class sizes are small, averaging about 10 students per class, with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1. The school offers AP courses in subjects including Biology, Calculus AB/BC, Chemistry, English Language & Literature, and more, with AP exams possible on campus. Upper School graduation requires 15 core credits across English, Math, World Language, Science, History, and Art, plus ongoing English study each year.
Which AP courses are offered and can AP exams be taken on campus?
AP courses include Biology, Calculus AB & BC, Chemistry, Computer Science Principles, English Language & Literature, Environmental Science, Latin, Physics 1 & 2, Spanish, Statistics, U.S. History, and World History. If a course isn't offered, students can still take AP exams on campus.
Where do MacDuffie graduates typically go for college and which universities have admitted students?
MacDuffie has a strong college placement record with graduates admitted to institutions such as Amherst, Caltech, Colby, Colgate, Holy Cross, Cornell, Georgetown, Grinnell, Howard, Pomona, Princeton, Tufts, USC, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Williams, and other universities, including international institutions.
What facilities and technology support learning at MacDuffie?
The campus includes modern classrooms, lab spaces, and athletic fields, plus a one-to-one technology environment with a high-speed fiber-optic network. Google Workspace for Education is used to enable collaboration across devices and classrooms.
What sports facilities and programs does MacDuffie offer?
Athletic fields are on campus, and a baseball diamond was added in 2019. Spring sports include baseball, badminton, golf, tennis, and ultimate frisbee, with baseball planning to return in 2025 after a 2024 hiatus.
What co-curricular and arts opportunities are available beyond academics?
The Co-Curricular Activities Program (CAP) runs year-round clubs and activities with boarding students required to participate in one per season. The Arts After-School program features Dancers, Plays, Technical Theater, A Cappella, and Orchestra, along with two main-stage productions each year.
Are there leadership roles and student-run organizations at MacDuffie?
Yes. Students can engage in leadership through STARS (Student Admissions Representatives), Future Entrepreneurs, and various student publications like The Magnet, The Muse, and The Magnolia.
Do boarding students have activity requirements?
Boarding students are required to participate in one activity per season, with seniors permitted to participate in two.
What support is available for English language learners and non-native speakers?
MacDuffie offers an English Language Learners (ELL) program that covers grammar, composition, language skills, and test preparation for TOEFL/SAT, as well as helping students adapt to American classroom practices.
What academic support services are available to students who need extra help?
The Academic Support Center provides services such as Guided Study and Study Skills, and can coordinate outside tutoring when needed, for any student requiring additional support.
What health and wellbeing services are on campus?
The Health Center on campus provides nursing, counseling, athletic training, and health education aimed at promoting student wellness and removing barriers to learning, with a focus on early intervention and support.
What is the MacDuffie dress code like for students?
The school has a dress code that emphasizes cleanliness, neatness, and modesty, with dress clothes sometimes required for evening activities like sports awards or academic convocations.
What meals are provided for boarding students?
Boarding students receive three meals a day in a modern dining facility, with menus planned to meet the tastes of diverse domestic and international students using fresh ingredients.
Is MacDuffie accredited, and if so, by which organization?
MacDuffie is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), affirming its compliance with regional standards for independent schools.
