Marvelwood School vs. Cheshire Academy
Should you attend Marvelwood School or Cheshire Academy? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data

Marvelwood School
476 Skiff Mountain Road
Kent, CT 06757, United States of America
Kent, CT 06757, United States of America

Top Rankings
Marvelwood School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 275 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Student Attention
Student Test Scores
Cheshire Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 275 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
School History
Overview
Nestled atop scenic Skiff Mountain in Kent, Connecticut, Marvelwood is more than just a school-it's a close-knit community where students are truly seen, deeply supported, and endlessly inspired.
Here, we believe in the power of being known. Our small class sizes and 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensure that every student has a voice-and someone to listen.
Marvelwood academics are experiential, active, and hands-on. Our faculty thoughtfully and intentionally design a tailored curriculum that engages all students.
Students gain confidence and skills through a dynamic curriculum that evolves to meet their needs and interests-because here, learning isn't one-size-fits-all.
Whether they're researching bird migration on Skiff Mountain, building robots, growing food in the geodome, or crafting storytelling through various creative channels, students engage deeply-and grow meaningfully.
Founded in 1794, Cheshire Academy is a coed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 plus Postgraduate (PG).
At Cheshire Academy, starting with the 2022-2023 academic year, day tuition is reduced by nearly a third to be better aligned with the income levels of more families within the region. 51勛圖厙 tuition is reduced by 10%
In addition to traditional 7-day boarding, Cheshire Academy offers students a 5-day boarding option, allowing them to be at home for weekend commitments such as athletics, arts, family, and community onbligations.
Ranked in the Top 10% "Best College Prep Private Schools in America" and Top Third "Best 51勛圖厙 Schools in America" (Niche 2023)
The historic 104-acre campus is nestled in the bucolic but central town of Cheshire, Conn., just two hours drive from both Boston and New York City.
With 343 students from 14 states and 27 countries, CA takes a flexible and tailored approach, allowing students to combine a variety of academic and extracurricular offerings optimal to their individual needs, strengths, and interests.
CA offers personalized learning opportunities like the Roxbury Academic Support Program, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and Art Major Program.
Cheshire Academy has 17 sports and 27 teams for boys and girls. There are also non-competitive athletic activities to ensure all students have an enjoyable and physically active experience. Cheshire Academy has produced professional athletes as well as countless collegiate athletes.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
9-12, PG
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1956
1794
Campus Size
86 acres
104 acres
Students Body
Enrollment
115
343
% Students of Color
29%
34%
% International Students
15%
27%
% Students 51勛圖厙
85%
52%
Average SAT Score
1204
1200
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
n/a
1070 - 1390
Average ACT score
30
25
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
Yes
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
7
10
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
6:1
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
20
45
Number of IB Courses Offered
n/a
36
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
No
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
60%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
No
Finances
Endowment Size
$11 million
$16 million
Tuition (51勛圖厙 Students)
$70,500
$57,250
Tuition (Day Students)
$44,500
n/a
Tuition (international students)
n/a
$67,250
Tuition (5 Day 51勛圖厙)
n/a
$55,250
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$33,000
$23,971
Merit Scholarships Offered
n/a
$1
Admission
Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Feb. 1 / rolling
Accepts Standardized Application
Yes
No
SSAT Required
No
No
Acceptance Rate
n/a
45%
Director of Admissions
Steve Malinowski
Rebecca Brooks
List of Courses Offered
n/a
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
20
45
Sport
Total Sports Offered
16
15
Sports
Alpine SkiingBasketball
ClimbingCross Country
Cross Country RunningEquestrian
KayakingLacrosse
Nordic SkiingRiding
Rock ClimbingSnowboarding
SoccerTennis
VolleyballWrestling
Alpine SkiingBaseball
BasketballCross Country
Cross Country RunningFencing
FootballGolf
LacrosseSoccer
SoftballTennis
TrackTrack and Field
Volleyball
Extracurricular
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
13
39
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Creative ScienceCultural Awareness Club
Model United NationsStudent government
Arts and Music Programs:
ChorusFilm
Jazz Band EnsemblePhotography
Rock BandTheatre
Yearbook
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Rock climbingSkiing
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Admission AmbassadorsAstronomy Club
Black Girl CoalitionBlack Student Union
Candy ClubCeramics Club
Chess ClubCommunity Service Club
Debate ClubEco-Leaders
Future Business Leaders of AmericaGarden Club
Gender Sexuality AllianceIch Dien Society
Kindness ClubMagic: The Gathering Club
Manga/AnimeMath Club
Model United NationsNational Honor Society
New England Math LeaguePeer Counselors
Photography ClubPrefects
Robotics ClubScience Olympiad
Spirit SquadStudent Activities Committee (SAC)
Student Equity TeamThe Coleman Group
The TransformersYearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Jazz EnsembleRock Band
String Ensemble
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Fencing - recreationalGolf - recreational
Strength and ConditioningTennis - recreational
