In post-pandemic America, enrollment in private schools has grown slightly. During the 2021-2022 school year, it was 1.7% higher than the 2019-2020 school year. One college prep school, Bishop Ireton, saw enrollment jump from 750 in the summer of 2019 to 920 in the aftermath of Covid (2023).
With many Americans losing faith in the public school system, families are considering other options to give their kids the best education they can. Afterall, high school years are a coming-of-age period for adolescents and the schools they attend will impact them for decades to come.
Though private schools require paid tuition, hard-working parents often find the advantages of this type of education to be worth the cost. For those who can afford it, private schools come with high academic curriculums, more stringent coursework, and smaller classes. They also highlight the importance of extracurriculars. Additional perks include religious platforms and same-sex students, for those who find these valuable.
The United States is home to over 3,600 private high schools. However, they are not all created equal, and some do a much better job of educating America’s youth.
Niche, a research platform dedicated to education, provided 24/7 Wall St. with a ranking of the 2024 Best Private High Schools in America. Niche developed their list from student reviews, as well as several factors based on the U.S. Department of Education, such as parent and student satisfaction, diversity, college enrollment, and class sizes. Niche provides a detailed explanation of their ranking here.
Interestingly, the majority of America’s 50 best private high schools are in the Northeast. New York state is home to 11 of these institutions, while New England claims 13 schools. Unsurprisingly, students who attend these schools often later enroll at Ivy League Universities like Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. Many of these schools date back centuries and have a long list of influential alumni, such as U.S. presidents, business executives, and notable artists.
Though these schools are some of the best in the country, it is important to remember that most families cannot afford the cost of tuition. Just a single year at these elite institutions can cost between $30,000 and $50,000.
Here are the 50 best private high schools in America:
Why it Matters
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In both 2021 and 2023, many states saw the emergence of legislation that allowed parents to opt for private education (or homeschooling) through subsidy assistance. Though the bulk of U.S. high school students attend public schools, this increase in the popularity of private institutions is meaningful. Essentially, parents who moved their kids from public to private education due to the pandemic have seen the benefits of keeping their children enrolled at these schools.
50. The Madeira School
The Madeira School is located in Mclean, VA. It has a total enrollment of 343 students (51% boarding) and an annual tuition of $48,300 ($63,250 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1360 and the average ACT score is 31. Madeira has a student-teacher ratio of 4:1.
49. Georgetown Day School
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The Georgetown Day School is located in Washington, DC. It has a total enrollment of 1,075 students and an annual tuition of $46,682. Students’ average SAT score is 1430 and the average ACT score is 32. Georgetown has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
48. St. Andrew’s School
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St. Andrew’s School is located in Middletown, DE. This school has a total enrollment of 320 students (100% boarding) and an annual tuition of $66,400. Students’ average SAT score is 1390 and the average ACT score is 32. St. Andrew’s has a student-teacher ratio of 4:1.
47. Regis High School
Regis High School is located in New York, NY. This school has a total enrollment of 532 students and tuition is free. Students’ average SAT score is 1480 and the average ACT score is 34. Regis has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.
46. The Dalton School
The Dalton School is located in New York, NY. This school has a total enrollment of 1,331 students and an annual tuition of $61,120. Students’ average SAT score is 1450 and the average ACT score is 34. Dalton has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
45. Windward School
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The Windward School is located in Los Angeles, CA. It has a total enrollment of 625 students and an annual tuition of $48,863. Students’ average SAT score is 1410 and the average ACT score is 31. Windward has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
44. Middlesex School
The Middlesex School is located in Concord, MA. It has a total enrollment of 418 students (72% boarding) and an annual tuition of $58,350 ($72,050 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1430 and the average ACT score is 32. Middlesex has a student-teacher ratio of 4:1.
43. The Nightingale-Bamford School
The Nightingale-Bamford School is located in New York, NY. It has a total enrollment of 710 students and an annual tuition of $61,655. Students’ average SAT score is 1430 and the average ACT score is 32. Nightingale-Bamford has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
42. Convent of the Sacred Heart
The Convent of the Sacred Heart is located in New York, NY. It has a total enrollment of 741 students and an annual tuition of $61,530. Students’ average SAT score is 1450 and the average ACT score is 33. Sacred heart has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
41. The Spence School
The Spence School is located in New York, NY. It has a total enrollment of 751 students and an annual tuition of $60,880. Students’ average SAT score is 1480 and the average ACT score is 33. The Spence School has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
40. Lick-Wilmerding High School
The Lick-Wilmerding High School is located in San Francisco, CA. It has a total enrollment of 550 students and an annual tuition of $57,000. Students’ average SAT score is 1400 and the average ACT score is 32. Lick-Wilmerding has a student-teacher ratio of 9:1.
39. St. Mark’s School
St. Mark’s School is located in Southborough, MA. It has a total enrollment of 385 students (75% boarding) and an annual tuition of $55,710 ($69,960 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1410 and the average ACT score is 31. St. Mark’s has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
38. Head-Royce School
The Head-Royce School is located in Oakland, CA. It has a total enrollment of 900 students and an annual tuition of $54,000. Students’ average SAT score is 1440 and the average ACT score is 33. Head-Royce has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
37. Newark Academy
Newark Academy is located in Livingston, NJ. It has a total enrollment of 667 students and an annual tuition of $48,880. Students’ average SAT score is 1460 and the average ACT score is 33. Newark Academy has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
36. Lake Forest Academy
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Lake Forest Academy is located in Lake Forest, IL. It has a total enrollment of 445 students (50% boarding) and an annual tuition of $50,675 ($69,575 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1410 and the average ACT score is 36. Lake Forest has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
35. Sidwell Friends School
The Sidwell Friends School is located in Washington, DC. It has a total enrollment of 1,142 students and an annual tuition of $55,140. Students’ average SAT score is 1450 and the average ACT score is 33. Sidwell has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.
34. Deerfield Academy
Deerfield Academy is located in Deerfield, MA. It has a total enrollment of 658 students (80% boarding) and an annual tuition of $44,735 ($61,840 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1440 and the average ACT score is 33. Deerfield has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
33. Lycée Français de New York
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Lycee Francois de New York is located in New York, NY. It has a total enrollment of 1,150 students and an annual tuition of $45,800. Students’ average SAT score is 1400 and the average ACT score is 31. Lycee has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.
32. American Heritage Schools, Broward Campus
The Broward campus of American Heritage Schools is located in Plantation, FL. It has a total enrollment of 2,794 students and an annual tuition of $36,900 ($60,000 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1400 and the average ACT score is 31. American Heritage has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
31. Hopkins School
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The Hopkins School is located in New Haven, CT. It has a total enrollment of 715 students and an annual tuition of $50,850. Students’ average SAT score is 1450 and the average ACT score is 33. Hopkins has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
30. Noble and Greenough School
The Noble and Greenough School is located in Dedham, MA. It has a total enrollment of 614 students (8% boarding) and an annual tuition of $60,100 ($66,100 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1440 and the average ACT score is 33. Noble and Greenough has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
29. BASIS Independent McLean
BASIS Independent Mclean is located in Mclean, VA. It has a total enrollment of 588 students and an annual tuition of $35,000. Students’ average SAT score is 1470 and the average ACT score is 33. BASIS has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.
28. The Bishop’s School
The Bishop’s School is located in La Jolla, CA. It has a total enrollment of 800 students and an annual tuition of $44,040. Students’ average SAT score is 1450 and the average ACT score is 33. Bishop’s School has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.
27. St. Paul’s School
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St. Paul’s School is located in Concord, NH. It has a total enrollment of 530 students (100% boarding) and an annual tuition of $65,000 ($65,000 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1430 and the average ACT score is 32. St. Paul’s has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
26. The College Preparatory School
The College Preparatory School is located in Oakland, CA. It has a total enrollment of 370 students and an annual tuition of $54,980. Students’ average SAT score is 1490 and the average ACT score is 34. College Preparatory has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
25. Crimson Global Academy, USA
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Crimson Global Academy is an online school. It has a total enrollment of 341 students and an annual tuition of $15,300. Students’ average SAT score is 1390. Crimson has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
24. Dwight Global Online School
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The Dwight Global Online School is located in West Palm Beach, FL. It has a total enrollment of 365 students and an annual tuition of $39,900. Students’ average SAT score is 1400 and the average ACT score is 31. Dwight Global has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
23. Trinity School
The Trinity School is located in New York, NY. It has a total enrollment of 1,001 students and an annual tuition of $58,495. Students’ average SAT score is 1510 and the average ACT score is 34. Trinity has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
22. The Lawrenceville School
The Lawrenceville School is located in Lawrenceville, NJ. It has a total enrollment of 822 students (70% boarding) and an annual tuition of $73,220 ($73,220 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1450 and the average ACT score is 33. Lawrenceville has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
21. The Loomis Chaffee School
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The Loomis Chaffee School is located in Windsor, CT. It has a total enrollment of 736 students (70% boarding) and an annual tuition of $52,100 ($68,420 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1400 and the average ACT score is 32. Loomis has a student-teacher ratio of 4:1.
20. The Brearley School
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The Brearley School is located in New York, NY. It has a total enrollment of 776 students and an annual tuition of $58,700. Students’ average SAT score is 1520 and the average ACT score is 34. Brearley has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
19. Crystal Springs Uplands School
The Crystal Springs Uplands School is located in Hillsborough, CA. It has a total enrollment of 565 students and an annual tuition of $56,620. Students’ average SAT score is 1490 and the average ACT score is 33. Crystal Springs has a student-teacher ratio of 9:1.
18. Castilleja School
Castilleja School is located in Palo Alto, CA. It has a total enrollment of 424 students and an annual tuition of $59,600. Students’ average SAT score is 1480 and the average ACT score is 33. Castilleja has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
17. Flintridge Preparatory School
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Flintridge Preparatory School is located in La Canada Flintridge, CA. It has a total enrollment of 530 students and an annual tuition of $44,750. Students’ average SAT score is 1440 and the average ACT score is 32. Flintridge has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
16. St. Mark’s School of Texas
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St. Mark’s School of Texas is located in Dallas, TX. It has a total enrollment of 911 students and an annual tuition of $35,821. Students’ average SAT score is 1490 and the average ACT score is 34. St. Mark’s has a student-teacher ratio of 9:1.
15. Horace Mann School
The Horace Mann School is located in Bronx, NY. It has a total enrollment of 1,793 students and an annual tuition of $61,900. Students’ average SAT score is 1450 and the average ACT score is 33. Horace Mann has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
14. The Hotchkiss School
The Hotchkiss School is located in Lakeville, CT. It has a total enrollment of 599 students (95% boarding) and an annual tuition of $65,490 ($65,490 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1430 and the average ACT score is 32. Hotchkiss has a student-teacher ratio of 4:1.
13. St. John’s School
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St. John’s School is located in Houston, TX. It has a total enrollment of 1,424 students and an annual tuition of $30,515. Students’ average SAT score is 1480 and the average ACT score is 33. St. John’s has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
12. The Chapin School
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The Chapin School is located in New York, NY. It has a total enrollment of 814 students and an annual tuition of $62,500. Students’ average SAT score is 1410 and the average ACT score is 33. Chapin has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
11. Riverdale Country School
The Riverdale Country School is located in The Bronx, NY. It has a total enrollment of 1,299 students and an annual tuition of $54,545. Students’ average SAT score is 1460 and the average ACT score is 33. Riverdale has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
10. Groton School
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The Groton School is located in Groton, MA. It has a total enrollment of 380 students (85% boarding) and an annual tuition of $46,720 ($59,995 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1460 and the average ACT score is 33. Groton has a student-teacher ratio of 4:1.
9. The Pingry School
The Pingry School is located in Basking Ridge, NJ. It has a total enrollment of 1,197 students and an annual tuition of $47,336. Students’ average SAT score is 1430 and the average ACT score is 33. Pingry has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
8. Commonwealth School
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The Commonwealth School is located in Boston, MA. It has a total enrollment of 154 students and an annual tuition of $55,400. Students’ average SAT score is 1510 and the average ACT score is 34. Commonwealth has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
7. The Nueva School
The Nueva School is located in Hillsborough, CA. It has a total enrollment of 853 students and an annual tuition of $53,350. Students’ average SAT score is 1500 and the average ACT score is 34. Nueva has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
6. Stanford Online High School
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Stanford Online High School is located in Redwood City, CA. It has a total enrollment of 986 students and an annual tuition of $29,850. Students’ average SAT score is 1500 and the average ACT score is 34. Stanford Online has a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.
5. Harvard-Westlake School
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Harvard-Westlake is located in Studio City, CA. It has a total enrollment of 1,620 students and an annual tuition of $46,900. Students’ average SAT score is 1480 and the average ACT score is 33. Harvard-Westlake has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.
4. Phillips Academy Andover
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Philip’s Academy Andover is located in Andover, MA. It has a total enrollment of 1,187 students (75% boarding) and an annual tuition of $53,950 ($69,600 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1480 and the average ACT score is 33. Philip’s has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
3. Choate Rosemary Hall
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Choate Rosemary Hall is located in Wallingford, CT. It has a total enrollment of 861 students (75% boarding) and an annual tuition of $51,880 ($67,380 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1430 and the average ACT score is 33. Choate has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
2. Princeton International School of Math and Science
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The Princeton International School of Math and Science is located in Princeton, NJ. It has a total enrollment of 120 students (60% boarding) and an annual tuition of $45,000 ($63,500 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1510 and the average ACT score is 33. Princeton International has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
1. Phillips Exeter Academy
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Philip’s Exeter Academy is located in Exeter, NH. It has a total enrollment of 1,074 students (80% boarding) and an annual tuition of $50,604 ($64,789 with boarding). Students’ average SAT score is 1460 and the average ACT score is 33. Philip’s has a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
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