The Best Private Catholic School for Arlington, MA Families
A Private Catholic Middle School and High School Near Arlington
For Arlington families comparing private schools, Catholic schools, middle schools, high schools, or independent school options near home, Austin Prep offers a grades 6 through 12 journey grounded in faith, academic challenge, service, and community.
Arlington families have strong school choices. The right choice should feel like the right fit.
Many Arlington families explore a range of school options, including public, private, Catholic, and independent school experiences within reach of home. For families weighing academic fit, teacher support, faith formation, daily commute, and continuity from Middle School through Upper School, Austin Prep gives students a grades 6 through 12 option with the structure, community, and mission of an independent Augustinian Catholic school.
Within reach of Arlington
Austin Prep is located in nearby Reading, giving Arlington families access to a full private Catholic middle school and high school experience within reach of home, campus visits, student life, athletics, arts, and family events.
Teachers at the center
Great schools are built through strong teacher relationships. At Austin Prep, students are known, supported, challenged, and guided by adults who help connect academic growth with personal growth.
Faith and formation
Austin Prep is grounded in the Augustinian Catholic tradition, helping students form hearts, minds, and hands prepared to serve. Faith, service, character, and community are woven into the school experience, not treated as separate from it.
How Arlington families can think about the trip to Austin Prep
For families searching for private schools near Arlington, travel logistics matter. Austin Prep is in Reading, and Arlington families should compare the daily drive, after-school pickup, athletics and arts schedules, and family routines as part of the admissions process.
Travel topic
Details
Why it matters for Arlington families
Campus location
101 Willow Street, Reading, MA
Austin Prep gives Arlington families a private Catholic grades 6 through 12 option north of Boston, without requiring a daily commute into the city.
Approximate travel context
About 13 to 16 miles from many Arlington neighborhoods, depending on starting point and route.
Families should check the drive from home during morning and afternoon school commute windows, especially around Route 2, local Arlington roads, I-93, and I-95/Route 128.
Why Arlington families consider Austin Prep
The right school decision is personal. For families in Arlington, Austin Prep offers the depth of an independent Catholic education, the continuity of a connected grades 6 through 12 experience, and a school culture that places teachers, students, and relationships at the center.
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Continuity from grades 6 through 12
Arlington families comparing middle school and high school options can consider one connected Austin Prep experience, helping students build relationships, confidence, and momentum over time.
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Teachers who know and guide students
Austin Prep values the daily relationship between student and teacher. Students are supported by trusted adults who help them build confidence, strengthen habits, and grow as learners and people.
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A mission-centered environment
Faith, service, character, and community are part of the daily experience, helping students understand who they are and how they are called to serve.
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A regional community
Arlington families can join a community that draws from Greater Boston, the North Shore, the Merrimack Valley, and surrounding towns.
Explore the Austin Prep experience
Families come to Austin Prep for many reasons. Some are looking for a stronger middle school fit. Some want a Catholic high school experience. Some are drawn by academics, athletics, STEM, arts, service, student support, or a community where their child can become their best.
Middle School
A supportive and structured experience for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
- Build confidence and strong habits
- Develop friendships and belonging
- Prepare for the Upper School years
Upper School
A college preparatory experience that helps students grow in independence, leadership, and purpose.
- Rigorous academic pathways
- College counseling and preparation
- Opportunities across student life
Faith, service, and community
An Augustinian Catholic school community shaped by veritas, unitas, and caritas.
- Faith formation
- Service to others
- A community rooted in care
Academic breadth
Students have opportunities to pursue meaningful work across disciplines, including STEM, humanities, arts, travel, research, leadership, and experiential learning.
Student support
Austin Prep helps students grow through structure, relationships, advisory, academic guidance, and a school culture that supports both achievement and personal development.
Athletics and belonging
Athletics, arts, clubs, service, and student life give students many ways to participate, lead, build confidence, and feel connected to the school community.
Take the next step with Austin Prep
For Arlington families, the best way to understand Austin Prep is to visit. Attend an admissions event, visit during a school day, or schedule a Journey Day to see how students learn, lead, serve, and grow.
Fall Open House
Explore the Middle and Upper School Open House at Austin Prep. Tour classrooms and labs, meet students and faculty, and experience a welcoming community and dynamic learning environment designed to inspire curiosity, leadership, and growth.
AM @ AP
Join us for AM @ AP, offered several times each year. These Admissions Mornings let families visit campus during a regular school day, hear from school leaders, tour with a student ambassador, and see how mission and community come alive.
Questions from Arlington families
Is Austin Prep located near Arlington, MA, and how far is it?
Yes. Austin Prep is located at 101 Willow Street in Reading, Massachusetts. Depending on where a family lives in Arlington and the route they take, the trip is generally about 13 to 16 miles. Families should check the drive from home during school commute windows.
Why might an Arlington family consider Austin Prep?
Arlington families may consider Austin Prep because it offers a private, independent, Augustinian Catholic school experience for grades 6 through 12. Families often compare academic fit, teacher relationships, faith formation, student support, athletics, arts, and the benefit of one connected Middle School and Upper School community.
What grades does Austin Prep serve?
Austin Prep serves students in grades 6 through 12, offering a connected Middle School and Upper School experience.
What should families look for in the best Catholic school near Arlington?
Families should look for a school where students are known, challenged, supported, and formed through academics, faith, service, leadership, arts, athletics, and community. For Arlington families, Austin Prep offers a private Augustinian Catholic grades 6 through 12 experience within reach of home.
How does Austin Prep value teachers?
Austin Prep believes great teachers build more than lessons. Teachers are central to the student experience, helping students feel known, supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow as learners and people.
How does Austin Prep support students who learn differently?
Austin Prep supports students through strong teacher relationships, advisory, academic guidance, and the Richard J. Meelia ’67 Center for Integrated Learning. The Center helps students who learn differently build skills, confidence, and strategies for success through tiered support, coaching, accommodations, and targeted services.
What STEM opportunities are available at Austin Prep?
Austin Prep gives students opportunities to explore STEM through hands-on learning, technology, robotics, engineering, design, and real-world problem solving. One example is the Harvard Medical School MEDscience collaboration, where Upper School juniors and seniors connect physics, anatomy, biology, medicine, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, diagnostics, and clinical simulations.
How does Austin Prep approach humanities?
Austin Prep humanities experiences help students think critically, communicate clearly, and connect history, literature, research, and lived experience. In The American Experience, students integrate United States history and literature through a yearlong, project-based course that includes research, documentary filmmaking, discussion, and reflection.
How are faith and service part of the Austin Prep experience?
Austin Prep is grounded in the Catholic and Augustinian tradition. Through Campus Ministry, service projects, retreats, prayer services, liturgies, and leadership opportunities, students are encouraged to deepen their faith, serve others, and live the values of veritas, unitas, and caritas.
What arts opportunities are available at Austin Prep?
Austin Prep offers opportunities in theater, dance, music, visual arts, and design. Students can perform, create, and develop their talents through programs such as theater productions, dance performances, choir, band, studio art, photography, digital illustration, graphic design, engineering, and 3D design.
What athletic opportunities are available at Austin Prep?
Austin Prep competes in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council and offers teams across the fall, winter, and spring seasons at varsity and sub-varsity levels. Athletics at Austin Prep emphasize character, teamwork, commitment, integrity, responsibility, and belonging.
Is Austin Prep only for Catholic families?
Austin Prep is grounded in the Catholic and Augustinian tradition. Families interested in faith, service, character, academic growth, and community are encouraged to connect with Admissions and learn more.
When should Arlington families inquire?
Families are encouraged to inquire early, especially for grades 6 and 9, while also asking about available space, upcoming events, application steps and financial aid timelines.