A Private Day School in Wellesley, MA

As a Community we Strive to

Work Hard, Find Joy
& Be Kind

Welcome to Tenacre

Every day at Tenacre begins with a handshake as the head of school greets arriving students. This act of trust and personal attention sets the tone for all that follows. At Tenacre, we embrace the elementary years.

As a Pre-K through Grade 6 coed school, we offer a dynamic and exciting environment in which children progressively develop critical thinking skills, become confident and joyful learners, and move forward into higher education and life as caring citizens.

Our Mission

Schoolhouse Program
The Schoolhouse is home to pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade at Tenacre.

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Public Speaking
Learning to feel comfortable on stage or speaking in front of groups is part of the Tenacre experience.

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Individualized Instruction
Tenacre teaches students in small, flexible groups, meeting the needs of individuals while keeping expectations high for all students.

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Tenacre Traditions
Tenacre’s many traditions unite the school community and are a cherished part of school life for every Tenacre student.

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List of 6 items.

199

Total Students
39

Teachers
25%

Students of Color
Español

Starts in Pre-K
6

Sports Offered
$1 mil

Financial Aid

Success By Design

A Campaign for Tenacre's Future

Learn about Success By Design

News & Events

List of 3 news stories.

Sixth graders explore STEAM at MIT
1/16/2025

The sixth graders kicked off their study of structures in science with an exciting field trip to MIT, led by their science, technology, and homeroom teachers. The day began with the Automata Workshop, where students explored mechanical motion and engineering principles to create whimsical kinetic sculptures. This hands-on activity integrated engineering, art, and play, encouraging collaboration and creativity as students brought their unique mechanisms to life.

After a lunch break on the museum’s grand staircase, the students embarked on a scavenger hunt, navigating through museum exhibits to uncover specific objects in various galleries. The adventure continued with a walking tour of the iconic MIT campus, where they marveled at the Stata Center—a quirky, modern structure designed by Frank Gehry—and the historic Rogers Building, MIT’s first building, with its striking columns and stunning glass dome.

This enriching field trip is one of many STEAM experiences for sixth graders and directly connects to their science work on structures and forces. It provided opportunities to observe and engage with real-world examples of architectural and mechanical design, deepening their understanding of these concepts in an inspiring and memorable way.
Newest "This is Tenacre" podcast released
1/14/2025
Tenacre has just released its third “This is Tenacre” podcast. In this edition, Christina Grace, Tenacre's Director of Educational Support and Reading Coordinator, shares her experience growing up with ADHD and how feeling "othered" shaped her teaching philosophy. She emphasizes the importance of understanding, nurturing, and challenging children while recognizing neurodiversity and setting high yet realistic expectations for all learners.
Tenacre dancers perform for all-school assembly
1/10/2025
This morning at assembly, Tenacre’s Dance Club presented an interpretive dance titled Dream Variations. The dancers gathered throughout the fall to rehearse their routine. Choreographed by Robin Offley-Thompson, the administrative assistant and assistant to the head of school, the rehearsals focused on teaching the students how to collaborate as a group and navigate their dance space. The seven dancers, representing grades three through six, wore pajamas for their lively and imaginative performance.