Belmont Day at a Glance
We are delighted that you are considering Belmont Day for your family.
The resources on this page are offered to inform you and deepen your knowledge of our programs and approach to inspiring and challenging our students.
Just the Facts
Our School
- Founded: 1927
- Total Enrollment: 339
- Campus: 11 acres including three athletic fields, community garden, playground, running and walking trails, swimming pools, tennis courts
- Facilities: Two art studios, two full-size gymnasiums, one gymnasium equipped with a traverse wall, library, IMPACT Lab (maker space), two music rooms, performing arts center, woodworking studio, full-service kitchen, and dining room
- Technology: 1:1 device program for all students (iPads for lower school students and MacBooks for middle school students,) Apple TVs, digital cameras, microscopes and scanners, fabrication tools, school-wide wireless network
- Number of Teaching Faculty: 49
- Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1
- Assessments and Standardized Testing:
- Reading: DIBLES (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) for kindergarten, first, and second grades; MAP® Growth™ test from the Northwest Evaluation Association for grades three and up
Our Students and Families
- From 27 different communities
- 40% identify as students of color
- 20% receive need-based financial assistance; the school dedicates 16.8% of its operating budget to financial assistance
- Home-school partnership: parents volunteer as members of the parents’ association and grade parents, as ad-hoc members of board committees, and as admissions ambassadors; they serve on the board of trustees and more.
Our Program Specialties
- Art (kindergarten to grade 8)
- Athletics – interscholastic (grades 6 to 8)
- Capstone program (grade 8)
- High School Placement (grade 8)
- Innovation and Technology (kindergarten to grade 8)
- Library (pre-k to grade 4)
- Music (pre-k to grade 8)
- Physical Education (pre-k to grade 5)
- Theater (grades 1 to 8)
- Woodworking (grades 1 to 8)
- World Languages
- Pre-k to Grade 4: Spanish
- Grade 5: Unit of Latin followed by a comparative study of French and Spanish
- Grades 6 to 8: Choice of French, Latin, or Spanish
Our Supports
- Learning Specialists and Learning Support (grades 3 to 8)
- Literacy Specialist (kindergarten to grade 2)
- School Nurse
- School Counselor
- School Psychologist
- Mindfulness Director
Pre-kindergarten to Grade 5
- 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Classrooms open at 8:15 a.m.
Grades 6 to 8
- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Classrooms open at 7:45 a.m.
Before and After School
Early Birds for Pre-k to Grade 5
- 7:45 to 8:15 a.m.
After School for Pre-k to Grade 5
- 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
After School for Grades 6 to 8
- 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Pre-kindergarten to Grade 5
- 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Classrooms open at 8:15 a.m.
Grades 6 to 8
- 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Classrooms open at 7:45 a.m.
Early Birds for Pre-k to Grade 5
- 7:45 to 8:15 a.m.
After School for All Grades
- 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Before School
Early Birds is an optional drop-in program for families who need morning coverage for their children before classrooms open. This program is offered free of charge. Early Birds meet in the Barn Gym for supervised play and activities from 7:45 to 8 a.m. for middle school students and 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. for lower school students. Bus riders and students whose families’ work situation requires it may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m.
Auxiliary Programs
Auxiliary Programs at Belmont Day provide a fun and engaging environment that fosters children’s social, intellectual, artistic, and physical development in a warm, supportive setting that extends the school day. Auxiliary programs include the After School Program, enrichment classes, and vacation week camps.
After School Program
The program is open to students in all grades and operates from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Please refer to the After School Program tuition rate page for details.
Enrichment Classes
Enthusiastic teachers lead a range of exciting classes. There is a fee for each class, and enrollment is limited. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Vacation Week Camps
Registration for our vacation camp programs opens in January.
February Vacation Week: Tuesday, February 17 to Friday, February 20, 2026 Tuition: $650
Super Sleuths (pre-k to grade 3)
Campers are invited to grab a magnifying glass and get sleuthing to solve our camp mysteries. They will learn about observation, data collection, forensic science techniques, and analyzing clues. Our super sleuths will decipher codes, create disguises, and discover enigmas and puzzles all over campus.
Center Stage (grades 4 to 6)
This high-energy theater adventure invites young performers to dive into the world of acting, improv, mime, movement, and more. Designed for budding stars, each day will feature ensemble-building games, creative workshops, and rehearsal fun—all leading up to a final performance of original short vignettes. Whether your camper is new to theater or ready to grow their stage skills, they’ll build confidence, creativity, and friendships that take center stage.
April Vacation Week: Tuesday, April 21 to Friday, April 24, 2026
Tuition: $650
Mad Science (pre-k to grade 3)
Campers will channel their inner scientist as they explore various STEM challenges through hands-on experiments and creative projects. Campers will explore science in the natural world, learn about chemical reactions, and develop their skills in formulating hypotheses and collecting data. This will be a science-packed week full of fun and discovery.
Boston-Newton and Cambridge Bus Service
Belmont Day School offers two bus lines, for a fee, for student transportation to and from school, five days a week. Families have options about the frequency of use.
Buses arrive at BDS by 7:45 a.m. each day. They depart campus at approximately 4:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.
Lower school students must be enrolled in the After School Program on any day they use transportation in the afternoons. Middle school students must be enrolled in the After School Program if they use transportation on Fridays.
A $200 registration deposit is required. The deposit is waived for families receiving tuition financial assistance.
Bus transportation invoices are issued in early September. Financial assistance is applied to invoices for families receiving tuition assistance.
Student bus stops are confirmed by email before the first day of school.
Academic Program
This guide reflects the material, questions, and areas of focus that will be covered in the 2025-25 academic year.
All students are assessed in a diverse and comprehensive number of ways. Student progress reports include both skills checklists and narrative feedback on student progress. Letter grades are not introduced until sixth grade. These grades are derived from a number of measures, including portfolios, demonstrations or performances, observation, quizzes, homework, and classroom participation. Letter grades are entered on student reports beginning in the second trimester of grade six and additionally on student transcripts beginning in the third trimester of grade six.
Grading Scale
Percentage | Letter Grade |
94-100 | A |
90-93 | A- |
87-89 | B+ |
83-86 | B |
80-82 | B- |
77-79 | C+ |
73-76 | C |
70-72 | C- |
67-69 | D+ |
63-66 | D |
60-62 | D- |
Below 60 | Failing |
Homework is an integral part of the curriculum. The purpose of homework is to foster positive and independent study habits, to reinforce skills and concepts learned in class, and to instill the habits of reading, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Formal homework begins in third grade; students in the early childhood grades typically take home book bags for reading at home with a parent or caregiver or independently.
Faculty work extensively to ensure that the content at each grade level builds across the subject matter. We regularly research and reflect on the role and appropriate timing of homework so that students understand its purpose and goals. Teachers outline routines and how parents can be supportive at home.
In middle school, the homework load increases. Resource times are built into the school day to give students the opportunity to work on their homework and to see teachers, as needed, for any extra support.
Estimates of how long it will take students to finish homework assignments vary, but offered below is a general guide. Please note that some of this time may include time dedicated to free reading.
Grade 3 – thirty to forty minutes
Grade 4 – forty to fifty minutes
Grade 5 – fifty to sixty minutes
Grade 6 – sixty to seventy-five
Grade 7 – seventy-five to ninety minutes
Grade 8 – ninety to one-hundred-twenty minutes
At Belmont Day, innovation and technology are integrated into our curriculum in fun and hands-on ways.
Innovation
In kindergarten through grade five, students explore innovation through special projects in the IMPACT Lab, co-taught classes with the innovation team, and integrated lessons in their regular subjects. Curricular highlights include the design process, creative thinking, and the use of maker space tools.
When they reach middle school, our students dive deeper: sixth graders take an innovation arts class as part of their arts launch program, while seventh and eighth graders choose electives such as video editing, 3D-printed jewelry, circuitry, and stop-motion animation.
Technology
Lower school students in kindergarten to grade five use iPads to build digital literacy, establish healthy tech habits, and learn coding, starting with physical devices like Bee-Bots and progressing to block-based coding programs such as Scratch.
Middle schoolers transition from iPads to MacBooks, enabling more advanced projects in research, digital arts, and coding. Across all grades, students learn to balance technology use with responsible habits and values.
Lower School Math
The Singapore math method is focused on mastery. It teaches students the how and why of math. Intentional sequencing of concepts involves students returning to topics over the course of years, each time building complexity and depth.
They are introduced to problem variation at an early stage. Instead of relying on rote memorization, they are asked to think creatively and mathematically, drawing on knowledge gained in previous lessons and trying new techniques. Students explore various methods for solving the same type of problem. They develop a 360-degree understanding of topics.
Singapore math helps students become more successful problem solvers, and it fosters a sense of confidence and resourcefulness by emphasizing conceptual depth. This naturally prepares students to excel in more advanced math.
Learn more about Singapore Math.
Middle School Math
The Belmont Day middle school math program enables students to consolidate their conceptual understanding and develop efficient problem-solving strategies, supporting the transition toward procedural fluency. In sixth and seventh grades, students use a curriculum developed by Illustrative Math. In eighth grade, students study Algebra 1. They will graduate ready to move on to Geometry or Algebra 2 in ninth grade. In the standard section of eighth grade math, students use the Illustrative Math curriculum published by Kendall Hunt. In the advanced section, students use a curriculum developed by the Mathematics Vision Project, published by Open Up Resources.
The middle school math curricula align with the Massachusetts state standards and the Singapore math curriculum used in the lower school, allowing for a smooth transition. Student discovery-based learning and problem-solving are central to our math classes, ensuring that all students are properly prepared for their high school mathematics experiences.
Learn more about Illustrative Math and Open Up Resources.
We are excited about the depth of resources our selected curricula provide to support and challenge students in all our math classes.
Ensembles
In addition to classroom music experiences, students may participate in the ensembles program, which provides the unique experience of learning, practicing, and performing in small groups.
Participation in ensembles takes place outside of regular school day hours, either in the mornings or the afternoons. The current ensembles are lower school chorus, middle school chorus, modern band, orchestra and orchestra enrichment, and the chamber music, guitar, wind, keyboard, jazz, and drumming ensembles.
At Belmont Day, honoring differences includes celebrating and supporting neurodivergent learners.
The school’s student support team comprises members of the learning specialist and mental health teams and is facilitated by Assistant Head of School Divya Muralidhara.
Team members collaborate to develop academic learning plans (ALPs) upon receipt of neuropsychological and other evaluations, and provide various supports to students and teachers throughout the school day.
Health and Wellness
Empower children to learn how to nourish their bodies and their minds
Provide safe, wholesome, healthy food with a variety of ingredients that are fresh and thoughtfully sourced
Ensure that all students and faculty who eat our meals remain safe and healthy
Be mindful of the importance of sustainability and reducing food and trash waste
We are committed to making sure all students have access to safe, healthy food. Our kitchen staff is aware of all students with food allergies and other dietary needs, and they work with the teaching faculty to help students understand and advocate for their dietary needs.
Belmont Day is a nut- and peanut-aware campus; no food containing nuts or peanuts, that may contain nuts or peanuts, or is processed on shared equipment with nuts and peanuts is served to students at school. In addition, we ask that faculty and families not bring or send food containing nuts or peanuts onto our campus.
Belmont Day School does not have food-based classroom celebrations. Any school-wide special snacks or curriculum-related events involving food are planned well in advance so that any students with food needs are fully included with safe food alternatives.
Lifelong Learning and Faculty Excellence
Professional development opportunities for Belmont Day employees are available on campus and off-site. The common expectation for professional development is that every adult in the community remains a learner. The school also funds opportunities for collaborative exploration and program development among BDS colleagues.
The Inspire Summer Curriculum Development Stipend subsidizes work dedicated to new and forward-thinking programmatic design with colleagues.
The Lenesa Leana Endowment for Innovative and Collaborative Education provides grants to teaching and non-teaching faculty to support the many ways our community explores and implements innovation with the spirit of collaboration.
