The North Bennet Street School is an internationally renowned craft and trade school located in Boston. The school was founded in 1885. Since then, the traditional furniture based curriculum has transformed into a diverse full-time vocational institution that that offers trade programs in bookbinding; cabinet and furniture making; carpentry; jewelry making and repair; locksmithing; piano technology; preservation carpentry; and violin making and repair. The North Bennet Street's School of Cabinet and Furniture Making is a two-year school where students learn the traditional methods of handmade furniture as well as some technological woodworking techniques. Tuition ranges from $200 for a one-day class to $5,500 for a three-month course as of January 2011.
Located in East Hampton, the New England School of Architectural Woodworking is a nine-month program that introduces students to various fields of woodworking including woodworking basics, cabinetmaking, furniture making, wood machining, architectural millwork, boat outfitting and detailing. Tuition totals $9,850 for the nine-month program however, the school also offers evening and weekend workshops for experienced and beginner woodworkers that want to improve their carpentry skills.
The Furniture Institute of Massachusetts, located just 30 minutes outside Boston in Beverly, offers short-term classes for professionals looking to hone their woodworking skills or beginners looking to get a grasp of the basics. The tuition rates start at about $200 and get more expensive depending on the focus and length of the class.The classes are based on an integrated dedication to the art of classical and functional contemporary furniture making. There are part-time, full-time and workshop options available.
Loacated in Washington, the Heartwood School for the Homebuilding Crafts has been open since 1978. Initially the school started out with a teaching program that instructed students on how build an energy-efficient homes. The school now offers classes in woodworking basics, cabinet making, furniture making and special women's-only classes. Tuition for the school starts at about $400 and ranges in price depending on the type and length of class you take.