Best private high schools in Delaware
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Delaware using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#23. Greenwood Mennonite School
- Location: Greenwood, DE
- Enrollment: 212 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B-
#22. Milford Christian School
- Location: Milford, DE
- Enrollment: 119 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#21. Towle Institute
- Location: Newark, DE
- Enrollment: 64 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#20. Delmarva Christian Schools
- Location: Georgetown, DE
- Enrollment: 412 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#19. Calvary Christian Academy
- Location: Dover, DE
- Enrollment: 321 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#18. Wilmington Christian School
- Location: Hockessin, DE
- Enrollment: 441 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#17. Saint Mark's High School
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 840 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#16. St. Elizabeth School
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 320 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#15. Aquinas Academy
- Location: Bear, DE
- Enrollment: 93 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#14. Concord Christian Academy
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 128 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#13. Padua Academy
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 591 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#12. Fairwinds Christian School
- Location: Bear, DE
- Enrollment: 185 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#11. Red Lion Christian Academy
- Location: Bear, DE
- Enrollment: 404 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#10. Ursuline Academy
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 427 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#9. Salesianum School
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 915 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#8. Caravel Academy
- Location: Bear, DE
- Enrollment: 1,108 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#7. The Tatnall School
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 614 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. Delaware Valley Classical School
- Location: New Castle, DE
- Enrollment: 178 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#5. Sanford School
- Location: Hockessin, DE
- Enrollment: 640 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Archmere Academy
- Location: Claymont, DE
- Enrollment: 529 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Wilmington Friends School
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 743 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Tower Hill School
- Location: Wilmington, DE
- Enrollment: 860 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. St. Andrew's School
- Location: Middletown, DE
- Enrollment: 320 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
