Tabor Academy, known as the School by the Sea, is a premier coeducational boarding and day school for grades 9-12.
Situated on Sippican Harbor, Tabor offers unparalleled place-based learning that connects students to the marine environment through hands-on experiences in marine and nautical sciences, sailing, and environmental stewardship.
Our waterfront campus provides students with a "second home" where academics meet real-world relevance, integrating disciplines from hydroponics to history, biology to literature, and sailing to ceramics.
Tabor students don't just learn "the what;" they embrace "the why," becoming engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders prepared to innovate in a world that needs diverse perspectives and solutions.
Graduates leave Tabor ready for life's next great adventures, equipped to make meaningful impacts on the world.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked MA School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 508 students
- Yearly Tuition: $77,000
- Acceptance rate: 36%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events and News
- October in #SeawolfNation - 11/05/2024Aside from May, and the busy season that end of year events bring, October is undoubtedly one of the most active and upbeat months at Tabor Academy.
- Celebrating Tabor's Inaugural Ocean Week - 10/28/2024This initiative intertwined education with an exploration of the sea to promote care and understanding, and foster stewardship, for one of Tabor's beloved resources: the ocean. Highlights from the week ...moreincluded presentations from Tabor alumni, who are thought leaders in marine and nautical sciences, and waterfront activities. hide
- October’s Bookshelf by the Sea - 10/24/2024Tabor's book review series continues with a review of Madeline Miller's "The Song of Achilles," written by Emerson Rogers '26. Spoiler alert: she's giving it 5/5 waves
- Tabor Twirls and Whirls into New Bedford Art Museum - 10/15/2024On October 8, members of Tabor Dance participated at "Twirl & Whirl," a series at the New Bedford Art Museum that connects performing and visual arts. Alongside members from The ...moreGold School Dance Art, Seawolves danced in response to Alex Buchanan's artwork and unexpected use of materials. Continue reading for a Q&A from Dance Coach Steven Vaughn and Dancer Chloe Kim '25, as well as a recording of the performance. hide
- Tabor Boys Cross Country Off to a Fast Start - 10/04/2024The Tabor Academy boys cross country team has sped through their season undefeated.
- September in #SeawolfNation - 09/30/2024Between August 29 and September 2, 2024, Tabor Academy welcomed 519 students from across 27 states and 24 countries. Continue reading for a deep dive into the first month at ...morethe School by the Sea. hide
- Tabor Academy Presents: "Bookshelf by the Sea" - 09/27/2024Introducing "Bookshelf by the Sea," a monthly book review written by Seawolves! English Chair Sarah Kniesler kicks off this series with her review of "Wild and Distant Seas." Spoiler alert: ...moreit's a fall must-read. hide
- Ceramics – A Gateway to Global Learning - 09/24/2024On September 6, 2024, prominent Napalese ceramic artists Gopal and Shushank Shrestha spoke with Tabor students in Braitmayer.
- From Ice to Animation, Tabor Alum Skates into Inside Out 2 - 07/25/2024Tracey Roberts '85 used her lifetime of experience playing and coaching ice hockey to consult on Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2.
- Learning the Ropes of Leadership and Legacy: Konowicz Named XO for 2024-2025 - 07/16/2024May 2024 was a month of milestones for Tabor Academy's SSV Tabor Boy. The Sailing School Vessel celebrated its seventieth anniversary since arriving in Marion, Massachusetts, and 110 years since ...morebeing built in the Netherlands; a student-Cam Martin '24, outgoing XO-had the opportunity to conn the schooner off the mooring for the first time since 2020; and Izzie Konowicz '26 was selected to lead the crew for the 2024-25 academic year, making her the third female student executive officer (XO) in Tabor history. hide
- Tabor Sailing Succeeds in UK Championships - 07/10/2024Tabor sailors travel to the UK to complete in the UK Championships
- ...read more
Top Rankings
Tabor Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1876
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
508 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
20%
State avg.: 29%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
104 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
78%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
28 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
English: Multi-Genre Literature (Adv. Topics), English: Rhetoric & Composition (Adv. Topics), History: Macroeconomics (Adv. Topics), History: United States Government (Adv. Topics), History: US History (Adv. Topics), History: World History (Adv. Topics), Languages: French Language & Culture (Adv. Topics), Languages: French Literature & Film (Adv. Topics), Languages: Latin (Adv. Topics), Languages: Spanish Language & Culture (Adv. Topics), Languages: Spanish Literature/Arts/Music/Film (Adv. Topics), Math/Comp Sci: Calculus AB (Adv. Topics), Math/Comp Sci: Calculus BC (Adv. Topics), Math/Comp Sci: Calculus-Based Physics (Adv. Topics), Math/Comp Sci: Computer Science (Adv. Topics), Math/Comp Sci: Differential Equations & Linear Algebra (Adv. Topics), Math/Comp Sci: Multivariable Calculus (Adv. Topics), Math/Comp Sci: Statistics (Adv. Topics), Music: Madrigal Singers (Adv. Topics), Music: String Ensemble (Adv. Topics), Music: Wind Ensemble (Adv. Topics), Performing Arts: Advanced Acting & Directing, Science: Biology (Adv. Topics), Science: Calculus-Based Physics (Adv. Topics), Science: Chemistry (Adv. Topics), Science: Environmental Science (Adv. Topics), Science: Marine Science (Adv. Topics), Visual: Ceramics (Adv. Topics), Visual: Photo and Video (Adv. Topics), Visual: Studio Art (Adv. Topics)
Average SAT score
1307
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
Average Percentile SSAT
84%
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Tabor has 2 levels of dress: academic dress and formal dress
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 15
Yearly Tuition Cost
$77,000
Tuition Notes
Boarding $77,000
Day $58,900
Summer Program Cost
$554
Summer Program Cost Notes
Summer program costs vary by program. Visit us online at www.taborsummer.org to learn more.
% on Financial Aid
36%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$42,150
Acceptance Rate
36%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Eric Long
Admissions Associate
Molly Gintoli
Endowment Size
$63 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
18 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
72 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
3-D Printing, Admissions Tour, Affinity Groups, AI Prompt Engineering, American Sign Language, Archives Interns, ASL, Astronomy Club, Baking Club, Black Student Union, Bowsprit Literary Magazine, Business Club, Canoe Building, Card Game Clubs, Career Clubs, Chess Club, Coffee Clubs, Community Service, Cooking Clubs (various), Cultural Affinity Groups, Dungeons & Dragons, Environmental Awareness (EA@TA), Fantasy Sports, Fishing, GAINS (Girls Advancing in Science), Gardening Club, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Habitat for Humanity, Honor Society, Jewish Student Union, Literary Magazine, Marketing & Communications Interns, Math Club, Mindfulness Club, Model UN, Movie Club, Newspaper, Oyster Farm club, Peer Listening, Proctors, Reading Club, Religious Affinity Groups, Rock Climbing Club, Speech/Debate, Sports Medicine, Student Activities Committee, Student Council, Subbuteo, Videography Club, Walking Tours, Writing Club, Yard Games, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Ceramics, Chamber Music, Chorus, Dance, Drama, Graffiti Club, Jazz Band, Tabor Rock Band
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Archery, Bowling, Hiking Club, Intramural Hockey, Mountain Biking, Pickleball, Seawolf Cycling (Mountain Biking), Swimming, Ultimate Frisbee, Weightlifting, Yoga
3-D Printing, Admissions Tour, Affinity Groups, AI Prompt Engineering, American Sign Language, Archives Interns, ASL, Astronomy Club, Baking Club, Black Student Union, Bowsprit Literary Magazine, Business Club, Canoe Building, Card Game Clubs, Career Clubs, Chess Club, Coffee Clubs, Community Service, Cooking Clubs (various), Cultural Affinity Groups, Dungeons & Dragons, Environmental Awareness (EA@TA), Fantasy Sports, Fishing, GAINS (Girls Advancing in Science), Gardening Club, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Habitat for Humanity, Honor Society, Jewish Student Union, Literary Magazine, Marketing & Communications Interns, Math Club, Mindfulness Club, Model UN, Movie Club, Newspaper, Oyster Farm club, Peer Listening, Proctors, Reading Club, Religious Affinity Groups, Rock Climbing Club, Speech/Debate, Sports Medicine, Student Activities Committee, Student Council, Subbuteo, Videography Club, Walking Tours, Writing Club, Yard Games, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Ceramics, Chamber Music, Chorus, Dance, Drama, Graffiti Club, Jazz Band, Tabor Rock Band
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Archery, Bowling, Hiking Club, Intramural Hockey, Mountain Biking, Pickleball, Seawolf Cycling (Mountain Biking), Swimming, Ultimate Frisbee, Weightlifting, Yoga
School Notes
- Welcome to Tabor Academy, the School by the Sea. Nestled along Sippican Harbor, our 88-acre waterfront campus is more than just scenic-it's a place of learning, exploration, and growth, offering a balanced education and a strong, supportive community.
- At Tabor, students experience a challenging academic program in a close-knit setting, with small classes, dedicated advisors, and a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Our curriculum spans nearly 50 Honors, Advanced, and Advanced Topics courses (our own version of AP), along with unique opportunities like the Naval Honor Certificate Program and independent study. Tabor graduates often matriculate to top colleges, equipped with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to succeed.
- Our admissions office seeks students with academic strength, motivation, and character-qualities nurtured here through personalized guidance, social-emotional support, and a commitment to balanced development. Tabor faculty and staff work closely to inspire each student, whether in academics, athletics, or the arts. The result? Tabor students grow beyond what they thought possible, intellectually, creatively, and athletically.
- Life outside the classroom is equally vibrant. Students engage in after-school activities, including major drama productions, singing, and instrumental ensembles, and a dynamic athletic program with 50 interscholastic teams, 23 of which compete at the varsity level. As a member of the Independent School League (ISL), Tabor's athletes compete at a high level, building sportsmanship, discipline, and resilience. Some of our most competitive teams include sailing, football, and cross country in the fall; basketball and ice hockey in the winter; and sailing, lacrosse, and rowing in the spring.
- Our close-knit residential life further enriches the Tabor experience. Small dorms, averaging 18 students each, foster a strong sense of community, while our new Travis Roy Campus Center serves as a bustling hub, home to our Student Union, cafe, library, and spaces for meetings, relaxation, and fun. The Tabor Archives, housed here, connects students with our rich history, blending tradition with contemporary spaces designed for collaboration and connection.
- Tabor values inclusivity and mutual respect, embracing diversity across race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomics. Students here form lasting bonds and develop a strong sense of responsibility to each other and the broader community, guided by a commitment to balance, personal growth, and service.
- Ready to explore life at Tabor for yourself? Discover how our unique waterfront campus can be the foundation for your child's next adventure. Schedule your visit today.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Paul Fireman '62 - Founder and President of Reebok
- John Fish '78 - President of Suffolk Construction Company
- Edward Johnson, III '50 - Chairman of Fidelity Investments
- Devon Barley '09 - Finalist on season one of The Voice
- David Chokachi '86 - Actor, Baywatch
- Sally Taylor '92 - Daughter of James Taylor, musician
- The Slip (band) - A rock band formed by Tabor students (now alumni) Andrew Barr, Brad Barr, Marc Friedman, and Sally Taylor.
- Jared Shuster '17 - Atlanta Braves pitcher, 2020 MLB first-round draft pick
- Matthew Reynolds '82 - former Assistant Secretary of State
- Colleen Coyne '89 - 1998, Nagano Olympian in hockey for women's ice hockey. Gold Medalist
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Tabor Academy cost?
Tabor Academy's tuition is approximately $77,000 for private students and $554 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of Tabor Academy?
The acceptance rate of Tabor Academy is 36%, which is lower than the national average of 70%. Tabor Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Massachusetts with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Tabor Academy?
Tabor Academy famous alumni include: Paul Fireman '62, John Fish '78, Edward Johnson, III '50, Devon Barley '09, David Chokachi '86, Sally Taylor '92, The Slip (band), Jared Shuster '17, Matthew Reynolds '82 and Colleen Coyne '89.
Does Tabor Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Tabor Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Tabor Academy offer?
Tabor Academy offers 18 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. Tabor Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for most sports offered.
What is Tabor Academy's ranking?
Tabor Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Tabor Academy?
The application deadline for Tabor Academy is Jan. 15.
In what neighborhood is Tabor Academy located?
Tabor Academy is located in the Marion Center neighborhood of Marion, MA. There are 1 other private schools located in Marion Center.
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The nearest preschool is Little People's College - Mattapoisett (4.6 miles away)
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School Reviews
5 5/10/2024
Tabor Academy holds a special place in our hearts as a family. As a parent, I have been particularly impressed with Tabor Academy for its remarkable commitment to academic rigor and personalized advisor support. In my opinion, one of the most invaluable aspects of Tabor is its advisor support system. Each student is paired with a knowledgeable and caring advisor who serves as a mentor, advocate, and guide throughout their academic and personal journey. All three of my children's experiences, while each unique, have all been incredible thanks to the kind, supportive, and nurturing community. Tabor prepares students not only for academic success but also for a lifetime of meaningful contribution and fulfillment.
5 3/15/2024
At Tabor Academy, students are encouraged to excel academically, athletically, and personally. The dedication of the faculty and staff is unparalleled, and their support has made a difference in our children's journey. One aspect that stands out is the balance between academics and athletics. The demanding academic curriculum has challenged our daughters intellectually and taught them discipline and dedication that extends beyond the classroom. As our daughters are both three-sport athletes, we've encountered many great coaches who not only focus on skill development but also on fostering teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship. The camaraderie and support network within the Tabor community is unparalleled, and it has been heartwarming to witness the genuine connections that our children have formed with their peers and mentors.In addition to the outstanding academic and athletic opportunities, Tabor also provides a variety of extracurricular activities and enrichment programs that allow students to explore their interests and passions outside the classroom. The transformative impact it has had on my children's lives is immeasurable, and I am immensely grateful for the incredible education, mentorship, and support they have received.
5 3/15/2024
Tabor Academy has helped my kids thrive academically, athletically, and artistically. Whether it's managing football, or playing squash, art in the ceramics room, or out on a boat learning about the ocean- my kids are involved all across the campus. The curriculum and the unwavering support from the teachers will help guide my children's future endeavors in college. They are able to self-advocate and know how to address teachers when they are having trouble learning a new concept. Each teacher shows compassion and kindness. Socially there are so many opportunities for students to engage with a diverse group of peers. From trips to Boston to the math team, to peer tutoring, and all sorts of various clubs. We also have spring break trips for sports, and other amazing opportunities like research projects in the Bahamas - helping coral restorations, to our beautiful Tabor Boy experiences. To the incredibly talented theater nights, dance recitals, to open mic, to a JV girls hockey game, or any sporting event- Seawolves Show Up! Tabor has so much to offer being a school by the sea!
5 3/8/2024
My son is currently a junior at Tabor Academy. From day one, he quickly made friends, learning from current students and faculty how to successfully navigate expectations and help guide him through the past three years. This school has a kind and inclusive community, and the campus is safe and charming. The teachers have provided a fantastic education, preparing him for college while being connected and caring, making the environment truly special.
5 3/8/2024
Tabor Academy has been an incredible experience for our daughters and we could not be happier with the school. The campus by the sea is beautiful and safe. The faculty and staff are extremely attentive and supportive, and academics are strong and challenging. Our daughters are varsity sport athletes and the athletic teams are competitive and inclusive. Tabor also has an impressive academic exchange and travel program, allowing one of our daughters to spend her spring break at the Rysensteen Gymnasium in Copenhagen this year! Tabor truly is a special place!
5 3/8/2024
Since starting at Tabor freshman year, we have seen tremendous growth in both of our sophomore children, who are boy and girl twins. They have gained independence and learned how to advocate for themselves when in need of assistance or guidance. The academics at Tabor have been challenging in a very positive way. The teachers/staff have been terrific, they are always available for extra help and have been very responsive to all of our needs. The kids have developed close friendships with other students from all over the world which we believe they will continue to nurture for the rest of their adulthoods. Each of our kids plays several sports also which has been a very positive part of the Tabor community experience.
5 8/25/2023
1961 GRADUATE. BEST INSTRUCTORS "BRUNO" WICKENDEN & JOSEPH SMART! GRADUATED FROM VANDERBILIT IN THREE YEARS, USAF & DEFENSE CONTRACTOR CAREER.
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