Derby at a Glance
Derby Academy is a Pre-K to 8 Independent school in Hingham, MA. Founded in 1784, Derby Academy continues to be the best choice for pre-kindergarten, elementary, and middle school education on Boston's South Shore. Our academic and social emotional learning programs set the foundation for children to discover the joy of learning and live the School's motto, Improve Both Mind and Heart.
Mind + Heart =
DERBY
- Enrollment: +/- 340 students
- Buses with stops in Boston, Milton, Quincy, Braintree, Randolph, Weymouth Duxbury, Marshfield, Scituate, Cohasset, Hingham
- Challenging and Innovative Academics
- Pre-K to 8 Public Speaking Opportunities
- Small Class Sizes and Low Student-Teacher Ratios
- Robust Arts and Athletics Programs
- Social Emotional Learning and Advisor Program
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
The Derby Difference
There is no back row at Derby. Our unique focus on public speaking and our commitment to small class sizes have one purpose: to ensure every child is seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are. This ultimately gives students the self-assurance to speak up and speak out. They have the confidence to take risks and try new things. They see the best in themselves and others. You’d be surprised by what they are able to accomplish!
Tuition Assistance
Derby is committed to providing tuition and financial assistance to qualified students and families. Inquire to receive more information about our Tuition Assistance program.
Sarah Derby Merit Scholarship for Grades 4-8
The Sarah Derby Merit Scholarship is awarded annually to one or two new, incoming Grade 4-8 students who qualify for tuition assistance and live in a local town or city that is currently underrepresented in the Derby community.
CONFIDENCE
CURIOSITY
Derby students face new intellectual challenges with joyful curiosity. Our creative and interdisciplinary curriculum inspires our students to approach learning with enthusiasm. Derby’s engaging teachers foster learning by doing and encourage mastery throughout our rigorous and innovative academic curriculum. Our commitment to teaching students how to think rather than what to think further ignites curiosity. The essential skills of critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving become second nature to our students and ultimately develop into a lifelong passion for learning.
Our dedicated faculty are mindful of the influence they have in guiding children to navigate the world with an inclusive mindset. Weekly research-based and Derby created Social Emotional Learning curricula sets the foundation for each child to develop a strong moral compass and a sense of personal responsibility.
Derby graduates stand out—and stand up for their beliefs.
CHARACTER
At Derby, school is joyful and fun! As a PK-8 school, children are able to experience the joy of being young through their preteen years. All students have multiple recess periods and opportunities for play every day. Close, meaningful relationships between students and the faculty who know and care about them are a cornerstone of our Derby community. Our culture of belonging builds character and confidence. Our graduates are well prepared to lead with mind and heart. For over 250 years, children have found caring mentors and friends on our campus, strengthened by our Advisory and Pals programs, small class sizes, gatherings, and celebrations.
COMMUNITY
Join us for an Admission event!
Virtual Coffee & Conversation:
The Lower School Years (Pre-K–Grade 4)
Wednesday, December 10
9:30 AM | Zoom
Prospective parents/caregivers can learn more about the Lower School years at Derby in this casual virtual conversation hosted by the Admission Office.
Register by completing the form on this page or contacting our Admission office at admission@derbyacademy.org.
Virtual Student Panel
Tuesday, January 13
5:15–6:00 PM | Zoom
Prospective families are invited to join us via Zoom to hear from a panel of current Derby students in Grades 5–8.
Register by completing the form on this page or contacting our Admission office at admission@derbyacademy.org.
Pre-K to 8 Curriculum Showcase
Wednesday, January 21
9:30 AM | On Campus
Prospective parents/caregivers are invited to join us for a special Curriculum Showcase. Students across multiple grade levels will bring their learning to life as they proudly share the projects and discoveries they’ve been working on.
Campus tours will follow the showcase!
Register by completing the form on this page or contacting our Admission office at admission@derbyacademy.org.
Please fill out this form to learn more about Derby, stay up-to-date on Admission events, or learn about the application process.
Grades Pre-K through 8
Improve Both Mind and Heart
STEAM Program
At Derby, every student in Grades Pre-K through 8 engages in a science and STEAM curriculum. From experimenting with the salinity of the water in Broad Cove to building and launching rockets, opportunities for critical thinking and problem solving in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math are plentiful. Some of the ways students engage in STEAM include:
State-of-the-Art Makerspace equipped with 3 new Bambu and 3 CraftBot 3-D printers and laser cutter
FIRST Lego League and Hummingbird robotics
Campus hydroponic greenhouse and gardens
Nature trail and outdoor classroom along Broad Cove
Cross-curricular science, social studies, math, and art units in Pre-K through Grade 3
Engineering courses in Grades 4-6
STEAM electives in grades 7 & 8
One week winter term program dedicated to UN Sustainability Goals
Math Club, Math Team, AMC8 and AMC10 Challenges, CML (Continental Math League)
A Derby Education Adds Up to More
LOWER SCHOOL
Pre-K through 4
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade 5-8
In Derby Academy’s Lower School your child will be loved and will love learning, right from the start.
The culmination of our Lower School program in grade 4 gives our students a continued sense of warmth and consistency as Lower Schoolers while creating a capstone year of leadership before they head to our Middle School.
Join us for our Pre-K-4 Coffee and Conversation to learn why the best start to your child's education is right here on the South Shore!
Derby Academy’s proven Middle School program will maximize your child's unique potential with less stress.
Starting Middle School in Grade 5 gives students four full years in a cohesive, challenging, and supportive program where they are known and encouraged to rise to new expectations. This is a unique opportunity for students, especially those who are ready to stretch their wings and embrace the independence that follows the elementary experience.
Join us for our Grade 5-8 Student Panel to learn how our approach empowers every student to lead.
Raising a child often feels like complex calculus in today’s world. One simple formula—Mind + Heart = Derby—has offered the right answers for loving families for generations.
While every school cares about children, Derby Academy’s proven program will nurture the best in your child. Derby’s unique focus on public speaking and our commitment to small class sizes have one purpose—ensuring every child is seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are. We know when children are challenged and celebrated by teachers they trust, they go faster and they go further. They speak up and they reach out. They have the confidence to take risks and try new things. They see the best in themselves and others. And with our whole community behind them, they succeed.
When mind and heart are given equal care in a curriculum and in a community, children thrive.
“We know nine and ten-year-olds are often filled with energy and ready for a new challenge. By making Grade 5 the launch point for our Middle School, we meet that readiness with a supportive, dedicated environment,
giving them the perfect runway for growth.”
Matt Magoon, Head of Grade 5-8
