Applewild School
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
120 Prospect Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Junior Boarding at Applewild School
Applewild School is an independent, co-educational day and junior boarding school serving students from Infancy through grade nine on a 42-acre wooded hilltop campus in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, just one hour west of Boston. Founded in 1957 and accredited by AISNE, Applewild is home to approximately 345 students. A proud member of NAIS, Applewild is known for its distinctive metacognitive academic approach, vibrant arts program, and deeply close-knit community.
Applewild’s residential program welcomes both domestic and international students in grades 3 through 9, with 5- and 7-day junior boarding options available. Boarders come from across the United States and around the world, bringing a richness of perspective and experience that enlivens campus life and strengthens the school’s sense of community.
At the heart of Applewild’s boarding experience is the belief that students thrive when they feel genuinely known and cared for. Residential students are gathered together in small, family-like groupings – not simply a place to live, but a place to grow. The program is intentionally high-nurture and highly structured, creating the consistency and belonging that young people need to build confidence, independence, and strong executive function skills.
Across all grades, Applewild students engage in a rigorous and joyful program that integrates academics, the arts, athletics, and character development. They graduate as reflective, self-aware learners – young people who understand how they think, how they learn, and how to bring their best selves to every challenge ahead.
Enrollment
K-9: 165 Enrolled
Grades Offered
Enrolling: Grades Preschool-9
Boarding: Grades 3-9 (domestic & international)
School Mission
Applewild nurtures curious learners and empowers them to lead with confidence, courage, and humanity.
Junior Boarding at Applewild School
Applewild School is an independent, co-educational day and junior boarding school serving students from Infancy through grade nine on a 42-acre wooded hilltop campus in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, just one hour west of Boston. Founded in 1957 and accredited by AISNE, Applewild is home to approximately 345 students. A proud member of NAIS, Applewild is known for its distinctive metacognitive academic approach, vibrant arts program, and deeply close-knit community.
Applewild’s residential program welcomes both domestic and international students in grades 3 through 9, with 5- and 7-day junior boarding options available. Boarders come from across the United States and around the world, bringing a richness of perspective and experience that enlivens campus life and strengthens the school’s sense of community.
At the heart of Applewild’s boarding experience is the belief that students thrive when they feel genuinely known and cared for. Residential students are gathered together in small, family-like groupings – not simply a place to live, but a place to grow. The program is intentionally high-nurture and highly structured, creating the consistency and belonging that young people need to build confidence, independence, and strong executive function skills.
Across all grades, Applewild students engage in a rigorous and joyful program that integrates academics, the arts, athletics, and character development. They graduate as reflective, self-aware learners – young people who understand how they think, how they learn, and how to bring their best selves to every challenge ahead.
School Facilities
Applewild’s 42-acre wooded hilltop campus in Fitchburg, MA features the historic Crocker House (administrative offices and 4th – 5th grade classrooms), the Marshall Building (preschool through grade 3, performing arts, and music programs), a 396-seat Alumni Center for the Performing Arts, the Ansin Building for grades 6 – 9 with dedicated science labs and a makerspace, the Stone Family Dining Hall, three dormitories including a brand-new 18,000 sq. ft. residence hall, and athletic fields for soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. A new state-of-the-art 50,000 sq. ft. Athletic and Wellness Center is currently under construction on campus, opening this fall!
Academics
Applewild’s academics are grounded in metacognition – teaching students to plan, monitor, and reflect on their learning to build lasting self-motivation and independence. Small classes and a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio ensure personalized attention at every grade level. Students have a 7-day rotating schedule with project-based learning, connecting study to real-world experiences. Our curriculum includes 11 levels of Math, Spanish, science, arts integration, ELL support, and secondary school counseling for grades 8 and 9. Older students participate in pre-career courses, as part of our partnership with EXLPO Elevate, including forensics, government simulation and architecture.
Athletics
Applewild offers six interscholastic sports – soccer, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey, cross country, and ultimate frisbee – plus equestrian and ski club, for students in grades 4 through 9. Physical education is an integral part of every student’s day from preschool through grade 9. A proud member of NEPSAC, Applewild is committed to developing well-rounded student athletes who value teamwork and sportsmanship. A new state-of-the-art Athletic and Wellness Center is currently under construction on campus, opening this fall! New sports will include swimming, squash, strength training and conditioning, and dance/yoga.
Arts
The arts are central to life at Applewild. Students perform in a 396-seat Alumni Center for the Performing Arts and participate in concert band, jazz band, chamber music ensemble, chorus, and annual drama productions. Visual arts studios offer instruction in painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking. Music education begins in the early grades and continues through grade 9, and Applewild’s award-winning jazz band is a hallmark of the school’s commitment to musical excellence.
Signature Program(s)
Applewild’s student-driven club program spans interest and service categories – from Debate and Yearbook to World Cultures and Sports Talk – and is built directly into the school day for grades 4–9. Upper-school students also select from electives across the arts, STEM, and humanities. Foundations, Applewild’s specialized program for students with language-based learning differences, provides small-group Orton-Gillingham instruction alongside full participation in school life.
Summer Programs
Applewild offers five residential summer programs on its beautiful 42-acre campus: Academics & Adventures (immersive academic learning with day trips to Harvard, MIT, and Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts); Summer Spotlight (performing arts and visual arts); the Entrepreneurship & Leadership Institute (ELI); Non-Linear Leadership Camp (designed for dyslexic and LBLD students); and Game On Sports Camp (basketball, soccer, or volleyball). Programs run July – August 2026, ranging from $1,500 – $3,400.
