The Best Private Catholic School for Melrose, MA Families
A Private Catholic Middle School and High School Near Melrose
For Melrose families comparing private schools, Catholic schools, middle schools, high schools, or independent school options close to home, Austin Prep offers a grades 6 through 12 journey grounded in faith, academic challenge, service, and community in nearby Reading.
Melrose families have strong school decisions to make. The right choice should feel like the right fit.
Many Melrose families explore school options that balance academic challenge, teacher support, faith formation, commute, student life, and a community where their child can grow with confidence. Austin Prep gives Melrose families a nearby grades 6 through 12 option with the structure, relationships, and mission of an independent Augustinian Catholic school in Reading.
Within reach of Melrose
Austin Prep is located in nearby Reading, giving Melrose 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 Melrose families can think about the trip to Austin Prep
For families searching for private schools near Melrose, travel logistics are an important part of the decision. Austin Prep is in Reading, and Melrose is listed on Austin Prep’s published home-to-school transportation route, giving families another point to consider as they compare the daily drive, after-school pickup, athletics and arts schedules, and family routines.
Travel topic
Details
Why it matters for Melrose families
Campus location
101 Willow Street, Reading, MA
Austin Prep gives Melrose families a private Catholic grades 6 through 12 option nearby, without requiring a daily commute into Boston.
Approximate travel context
Austin Prep is in nearby Reading, a short drive from many Melrose neighborhoods.
Families should check the drive from home during morning and afternoon school commute windows, especially around Main Street, Lynn Fells Parkway, Lebanon Street, and nearby connections to I-93 and I-95/Route 128.
Austin Prep bus stop
Melrose is listed on Austin Prep’s North Shore Shuttle route, with a stop at Pan’s Dental Care.
For families comparing private schools near Melrose, a town bus stop can help make the daily trip to Austin Prep more manageable. Families should confirm current route details, availability, and fares with Austin Prep.
Why Melrose families consider Austin Prep
The right school decision is personal. For families in Melrose, 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
Melrose 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 close to home
Melrose families can join a community that draws from Greater Boston, the North Shore, the Merrimack Valley, and surrounding towns while still keeping Austin Prep close to daily family life.
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 Melrose 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 Melrose families
Is Austin Prep located near Melrose, MA?
Yes. Austin Prep is located at 101 Willow Street in Reading, Massachusetts, close to Melrose. Families should check the drive from home during school commute windows and consider after-school pickup, athletics, arts, and evening events as part of the admissions process.
Does Austin Prep offer bus transportation from Melrose?
Yes. Austin Prep’s published home-to-school transportation schedule lists a Melrose stop on the North Shore Shuttle route at Pan’s Dental Care. Families should confirm current route details, availability, and fares directly with Austin Prep.
Why might a Melrose family consider Austin Prep?
Melrose 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 Melrose?
Families should look for a school where students are known, challenged, supported, and formed through academics, faith, service, leadership, arts, athletics, and community. For Melrose families, Austin Prep offers a private Augustinian Catholic grades 6 through 12 experience close to 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. Upper School students can connect physics, anatomy, biology, medicine, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, diagnostics, and clinical simulations through advanced academic opportunities.
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 Melrose 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.