How to Get Into Tabor Academy: Your Ultimate Guide

Overview

Tabor Academy is one of the best boarding schools in Massachusetts. Located in Marion, it is coeducational and offers both boarding and day school. Tabor has a student population of 541 alongside 79 teaching faculty (71% of whom have advanced degrees). With a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, Tabor ensures that students receive quality support and attention to make the most out of their education. 

Since 1876, Tabor has fostered a globally connected education, shaping students into leaders who form ethical and creative solutions for both local and global contexts. The school carries forward the philosophy that a healthy school community strives to find common ground, achieving goals together by embracing diversity. Tabor’s international exchange program began 14 years after its initial founding when students sailed from Tokyo, Japan, to enroll as boarding students. Since then, Tabor has expanded to have 70% of the community be full-time boarding students, with 27% being international students.

With this, Tabor Academy upholds the values of 4 C’s: care, collaboration, courage, and curiosity. By fostering these values, Tabor has succeeded in building a legacy of learning and friendship across cultures. Students have limitless opportunities to take charge of their education and collaborate with others through arts, sports, clubs, and academics.

How hard is it to get into Tabor? 

Many children aspire to study at Tabor Academy thanks to its extensive multidisciplinary programs, robust student activities, and vibrant student life. Typically, the Tabor admissions deadline is set in early January while the announcement of results falls in March. Additionally, accepted students are invited to revisit the campus in early April; students and their parents must respond to the acceptance by early April as well. The chances of getting accepted are relatively low, with Tabor having an acceptance rate of 38% against the 71% average private school acceptance rate in Massachusetts.

Want to know how to get into Tabor Academy? While the application process may seem daunting, with the help of experienced private school admissions consultants who understand Tabor admissions, you can plan and strategize how to make your child stand out among the rest stress-free. 

Tabor Academy Application 

To begin Tabor Academy’s admissions process, you must first submit your student and family information through the school’s inquiry form, which is how the school will reach out to you for admissions updates.

After you complete the form, here are your next steps:

1. (Only for Parents/Guardians) Log in to the myTA Portal using login credentials provided by the school to track the progress of the student’s admissions process
2. Schedule a School Visit and Interview through your myTA Portal under the Admissions Progress tab
3. (Optional) Submit state testing results 
4. Make an account and submit the requirements listed in the Standard Application Online (SAO)
   1. Student Essays
   2. Parent Statement
   3. Letters of Recommendation (Math and English teacher, any other teacher, Counselor)
   4. Official School Transcript

Tabor Academy Admissions 

Teacher Recommendations/Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters from the current teachers in English and math, one other current teacher, as well as from the principal or counselor, are required from applicants in grades 9-12. 

Teacher recommendations are crucial in the admissions process since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because they can confirm your child’s academic success, teachers can make professional and unbiased observations. Building strong relationships with teachers is crucial if you want them to be able to provide strong recommendations that support other application materials.

Parent Statement

On the SAO application, parents are required to answer prompts in a questionnaire about their child. The parent statement is an introduction to a student taken from the perspective of a parent. The main idea is to provide a written statement about a child’s personality, interests, and strengths. 

With two decades of experience in private school admissions, our admissions consultants have deep knowledge of how to write parent statements for private schools that would differentiate your child. 

Student Essays

There are questions on the SAO application that a student has to answer within a limited word count, and these are not specific to Tabor Academy. The questions delve into a child’s personality, skills, and interests, as well as how they overcome challenges. The questions might seem simple, but admissions officers are looking at certain characteristics and values in your child that will determine if they are a good fit for the school. 

Our private school admissions consultants can guide your child on how to best answer the questions truthfully. From your child’s personal circumstances and passions, we can identify what traits and characteristics will interest the admissions team and be highly considered for admission.

Transcript

Applicants are required to submit their transcripts from the previous school year through the SAO. 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Tabor Academy’s rigorous curriculum. But what if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? Start private school admissions consulting early! Our tutors and academic coaches will work with your child to improve grades and achieve scores that meet the requirements. We provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing. But because we are aware that boosting GPA won’t guarantee success, we also provide academic coaching that teaches executive function skills as a more holistic strategy. 

Admissions Interview

Applicants are encouraged to schedule a campus visit and interview even before applying. An interview will be conducted by a member of their admissions team.

The campus visit and interview serve as avenues for Tabor Academy to discern if your child will be a great fit for the community. Admissions officers will be looking at what your child brings to the table, assessing their skills and personality. With nearly two decades of industry experience, we know what Tabor Academy is looking for. Our admissions consultants can provide interview preparation, which will cover common interview questions and how to be the ideal candidate for Tabor Academy, the School by the Sea.   

Testing

Tabor Academy applicants have the option to submit test scores for any of the following: SSAT, ISEE, MCAS, or any other standardized testing from their home state.

Additionally, applicants reclassifying to grade 10 or applying for grade 11 can also submit scores from the PSAT/ACT/SAT.

Students interested in applying to Tabor Academy whose first language is not English must take the TOEFL or Duolingo test.

Tabor Academy Alumni

1. Paul Fireman – an American entrepreneur and founder of Reebok
2. Chris Hawkins – a British journalist, BBC Radio host
3. Matthew A. Reynolds – former Assistant Secretary of State (Legislative Affairs), currently a leader in the Washington, DC Representative office of the UN Refugee Agency
4. Blake Sloan – a former American hockey player who played NHL, AHL and DHL for Dallas Stars among other teams
5. Amy Richards – an American businesswoman, activist, feminist, and writer; she is president of Soapbox, Inc. and produced the Emmy-nominated television series “Woman”
6. David Chokachi – an American film and television actor known for his roles in Baywatch and Witchblade
7. Richard Brennan – a retired American hockey player who played in the NHL for teams such as the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings, among others
8. Donald Redfield Griffin – an American professor and founder of the theory of cognitive ethology
9. Thomas Powers – an American author and intelligence expert who won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting
10. Chris and Peter Ferraro – identical American twins, both former NHL hockey players who were on the same team: the New York Rangers

Student Life at Tabor Academy

Known as the School by the Sea, Tabor not only has strong academics but is also known for their marine science and sailing programs! Furthermore, student life at Tabor is founded upon a culture of compassion and unity—whether through sports games or student performances, the community always finds time to come together and celebrate self-expression. 

There are more than enough activities for students to enjoy learning both in and out of the classroom, ranging from student organizations to sports programs that all cultivate a holistic lifestyle. With 16 dorms on campus and 39 proctors for both residential and day students, learners will have no trouble calling Tabor home. 

Tabor Academy Academics

Since its founding, Tabor Academy has always prioritized applied learning through its curriculum. Whether a student is interested in engineering and science or the arts, Tabor academics provides opportunities that span a wide range of interests. Day-to-day schedules are also structured in a way wherein students have time to balance classroom learning with diverse activities. All days of the week have an allotted time in the afternoon for Athletics & Co-curriculars. Moreover, Wednesdays are known as Game Day: classes run from the morning until lunch, and the entire afternoon is dedicated to Athletics & Co-curriculars, especially when it comes to scheduling competitions. 

Tabor is also renowned for the breadth and depth of its flexible curriculum, with offerings spanning across disciplines. Class sizes are relatively small to foster an intimate and personalized learning environment, where students actively engage with one another and spearhead dynamic, hands-on learning. With numerous honors and Advanced Topic classes to choose from, students have the freedom to pursue intellectual exploration in any academic field. Numerous subjects are offered in the following course categories: Engineering, English, History & Social Sciences, Marine Science, Mathematics & Computer Science, Modern & Classical Languages, Nautical Science, Performing Arts, Science, and Visual Arts.

Tabor Academy Athletics

The Tabor athletics program prioritizes sportsmanship and support, where student-athletes learn from victory and defeat alike to strive for excellence. A majority of Tabor athletic teams are coached by former collegiate athletes who have reached competitive levels in their respective fields, ensuring that students receive the best developmental strategies and opportunities for growth. The following sports teams are categorized per season:

Spring – Baseball, Crew, Golf, Lacrosse, Sailing, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field

Fall – Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Sailing, Soccer, Volleyball

Winter – Basketball, Ice Hockey, Squash, Wrestling

Tabor Academy Arts

Tabor Arts not only showcases students’ talents but also challenges them to channel creative inspiration into their skills. The school’s arts programs instill self-expression, engagement, and respect for artistic processes. Tabor values the humanities in all of its forms and students are encouraged to explore visual and performing arts alike. This way, students develop genuine engagement and appreciation for a variety of passions that make our world more vibrant.

Offerings for the Performing Arts include: Theater, Instrumental Music, Choral Music, Dance

Offerings for the Visual Arts include: Ceramics, Photography, Studio Art, Design Technology & Media Arts

Activities at Tabor Academy

A holistic lifestyle extends beyond athletics and arts at Tabor, as the school extends education through numerous clubs and activities that align with students’ passions. Student organizations build camaraderie and leadership skills that last a lifetime, and these qualities will serve students far beyond their high school years. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, it is more important than ever for young generations to develop teamwork and problem-solving approaches through real-world experiences. 

Students can choose to join multiple organizations in the following categories: Student Groups/Leaders, Student-Run Publications, Non-Athletic Team Offerings, and Non-Athletic Individual Offerings. 

It is important to note that students are required to be actively involved in organized teams every afternoon, and two of three seasons must be spent with a Tabor Team offering through Athletics, Non-Athletic Team Offerings, or Non-Athletic Individual Offerings.

Additionally, the Student Groups/Leaders listed on the school website do not include all offerings on campus. In line with this, clubs run by students can also change from year to year.