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.
#30. The Hudson School
- Location: Hoboken, NJ
- Enrollment: 196 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#29. Mount Saint Mary Academy
- Location: Watchung, NJ
- Enrollment: 274 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#28. Gill St. Bernard's School
- Location: Gladstone, NJ
- Enrollment: 613 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#27. Seton Hall Preparatory School
- Location: West Orange, NJ
- Enrollment: 974 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#26. Saddle River Day School
- Location: Saddle River, NJ
- Enrollment: 476 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#25. Overlake Preparatory Academy
- Location: Edison, NJ
- Enrollment: 118 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#24. Bergen Catholic High School
- Location: Oradell, NJ
- Enrollment: 738 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#23. Montclair Kimberley Academy
- Location: Montclair, NJ
- Enrollment: 1,064 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#22. Ranney School
- Location: Tinton Falls, NJ
- Enrollment: 736 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#21. Golda Och Academy
- Location: West Orange, NJ
- Enrollment: 420 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#20. Morristown Beard School
- Location: Morristown, NJ
- Enrollment: 590 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#19. The Wilberforce School
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 346 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#18. Elite Preparatory Academy
- Location: Hopatcong, NJ
- Enrollment: 206 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#17. The Hun School of Princeton
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 695 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#16. The Pennington School
- Location: Pennington, NJ
- Enrollment: 543 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#15. Pioneer Academy
- Location: Wayne, NJ
- Enrollment: 426 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#14. Princeton Day School
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 963 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#13. Primoris Academy
- Location: Westwood, NJ
- Enrollment: 118 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#12. Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Enrollment: 303 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#11. Kent Place School
- Location: Summit, NJ
- Enrollment: 649 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#10. The Wardlaw + Hartridge School
- Location: Edison, NJ
- Enrollment: 471 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#9. Dwight-Englewood School
- Location: Englewood, NJ
- Enrollment: 1,068 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#8. Rutgers Preparatory School
- Location: Somerset, NJ
- Enrollment: 709 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#7. Delbarton School
- Location: Morristown, NJ
- Enrollment: 648 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. Blair Academy
- Location: Blairstown, NJ
- Enrollment: 465 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#5. The Peddie School
- Location: Hightstown, NJ
- Enrollment: 532 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Newark Academy
- Location: Livingston, NJ
- Enrollment: 667 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. The Lawrenceville School
- Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
- Enrollment: 822 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. The Pingry School
- Location: Basking Ridge, NJ
- Enrollment: 1,197 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#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.
