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Best private high schools in New Jersey

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April 10, 2024
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Best private high schools in New Jersey

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 New Jersey 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.

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#30. The Hudson School

- Location: Hoboken, NJ
- Enrollment: 196 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#29. Mount Saint Mary Academy

- Location: Watchung, NJ
- Enrollment: 274 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A student talking to a teacher in the hallway.
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#28. Gill St. Bernard's School

- Location: Gladstone, NJ
- Enrollment: 613 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#27. Seton Hall Preparatory School

- Location: West Orange, NJ
- Enrollment: 974 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#26. Saddle River Day School

- Location: Saddle River, NJ
- Enrollment: 476 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student doing a chemical experiment.
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#25. Overlake Preparatory Academy

- Location: Edison, NJ
- Enrollment: 118 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper.
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#24. Bergen Catholic High School

- Location: Oradell, NJ
- Enrollment: 738 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A student raising their hand in class.
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#23. Montclair Kimberley Academy

- Location: Montclair, NJ
- Enrollment: 1,064 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

An empty school hallway lined with red lockers.
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#22. Ranney School

- Location: Tinton Falls, NJ
- Enrollment: 736 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#21. Golda Och Academy

- Location: West Orange, NJ
- Enrollment: 420 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#20. Morristown Beard School

- Location: Morristown, NJ
- Enrollment: 590 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A hallway lined with green lockers.
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#19. The Wilberforce School

- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 346 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#18. Elite Preparatory Academy

- Location: Hopatcong, NJ
- Enrollment: 206 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#17. The Hun School of Princeton

- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 695 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#16. The Pennington School

- Location: Pennington, NJ
- Enrollment: 543 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A group of students walking down the hall with their backs facing the camera.
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#15. Pioneer Academy

- Location: Wayne, NJ
- Enrollment: 426 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. Princeton Day School

- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 963 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students using microscopes in science class.
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#13. Primoris Academy

- Location: Westwood, NJ
- Enrollment: 118 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart

- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 303 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students raising their hands for class participation.
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#11. Kent Place School

- Location: Summit, NJ
- Enrollment: 649 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#10. The Wardlaw + Hartridge School

- Location: Edison, NJ
- Enrollment: 471 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. Dwight-Englewood School

- Location: Englewood, NJ
- Enrollment: 1,068 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student doing classwork on their laptop.
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#8. Rutgers Preparatory School

- Location: Somerset, NJ
- Enrollment: 709 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A teacher writing an equation on a blackboard using chalk.
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#7. Delbarton School

- Location: Morristown, NJ
- Enrollment: 648 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. Blair Academy

- Location: Blairstown, NJ
- Enrollment: 465 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. The Peddie School

- Location: Hightstown, NJ
- Enrollment: 532 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. Newark Academy

- Location: Livingston, NJ
- Enrollment: 667 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two rows of red lockers.
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#3. The Lawrenceville School

- Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
- Enrollment: 822 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. The Pingry School

- Location: Basking Ridge, NJ
- Enrollment: 1,197 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A closeup of a student taking notes in class.
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#1. Princeton International School of Math and Science

- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 120 (5:1 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.

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