2024 Best Private High Schools in America

• Exeter, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  335 reviews

Alum: Phillips Exeter Academy allows students to pursue an intense education while making meaningful connections beyond the classroom. The teachers care deeply for both their students' education and emotional wellbeing. There is certainly an environment that promotes sacrifice for the sake of work– it can be intense. Despite this, the student body is not especially competitive. Though the administration occasionally misses the mark, PEA as an institution does an excellent job caring for its students and community.... Read 335 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,074

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Princeton, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  21 reviews

Freshman: Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science offers an educational experience like no other! For any student interested in STEAM-related subjects, PRISMS is a dream come true. The faculty are passionate and helpful, and the scientific equipment is college-level! While sports are not prioritized, Varsity volleyball, soccer, and basketball are offered. PRISMS is a great community, filled with incredible educators, a STEAM-centered curriculum, and top-notch scientific equipment.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 120

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Wallingford, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  178 reviews

Alum: I was able to achieve so much as a high school student through the support of genuine, kind friends, encouraging teachers, and an incredibly welcoming community. The opportunity to involve yourself in so many different areas of study, as well as attempt new things without the fear of feeling unqualified was such a freeing experience, and one that many ever get to experience. Without a doubt, rigor and high achievement stress is always present, and several other factors play into creating an environment of pressure. However, Choate is a place that cares and works to improve.... Read 178 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 861

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Andover, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  181 reviews

Senior: Phillips Academy will truly provide the best possible resources, opportunities, and overall education possible. My favorite part of school here is by far the diversity and incredibly talented and kind faculty. The only pitfall is that the academic competition is extremely intense, and the college application process is extremely toxic and taboo subject among the student body.... Read 181 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,187

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Studio City, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  177 reviews

Senior: At Harvard-Westlake School, the campus exudes academic excellence and a vibrant community spirit. Students engage in rigorous coursework, propelled by passionate and accomplished faculty. The emphasis on critical thinking and intellectual curiosity fosters a stimulating academic environment.Beyond academics, the school offers an array of extracurricular activities, from competitive sports teams to award-winning arts programs. The tight-knit community supports personal growth and fosters lifelong friendships. Harvard-Westlake's commitment to community service encourages students to make a positive impact beyond the campus walls. The school's prestigious reputation opens doors for unique opportunities, including guest speakers, workshops, and access to top-tier colleges.... Read 177 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,620

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Redwood City, CA•

• Online School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  176 reviews

Freshman: Great school, I wish I started earlier! Stanford OHS is for anyone who prioritizes academics. No other school really compares in terms of the depth of the classes.... Read 176 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 986

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  75 reviews

Parent: Having three children attend Nueva from 2004-present, we’ve seen the school evolve from a small PreK-8 to a multi campus PK-12 school. Despite the changes over the years, the overall mission of the school - to serve gifted learners within a caring community - has remained constant. I cannot point to a more dedicated and generous parent group, or more wonderful, unique, (quirky!) caring teachers and staff. Negatives: extremely competitive nature of the students, lack of diversity, and the amount of privilege apparent in the population. Talk to any ex-faculty member about this and they will definitely agree - entitled kids are not easy to teach.... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 853

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Boston, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.85 out of 5  40 reviews

Alum: I had a wonderful experience at Commonwealth. As a shy middle school student, I was advised by a family friend to look into small schools during my high school search. The community at Commonwealth helped me find my voice, connect closely with my friends and teachers, and learn about myself in a controlled environment. Although a large portion of my experience was heavily affected by the pandemic and the school chose some subpar ways to foster longtime school traditions, I still consider what I gained from my four years to have outweighed my losses. I'm eternally grateful to Commonwealth for my four years there and what I hope will become a lifelong connection to the community.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 154

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Basking Ridge, NJ•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  157 reviews

Parent: LOVE PINGRY! It is genuinely one of the best decisions I have ever made for my kids; they are thriving as athletes and in academics. The teachers are very caring and involved in students' lives, providing support outside of the classroom environment. I have one son who graduated a few years ago, and he was so ready for BU that it made me sad how little he needed me. Get ready for one of the best experiences your children will have; it's worth every penny.... Read 157 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,197

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Groton, MA•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  66 reviews

Senior: Groton School is so wonderful!! The teachers are great, my classmates are wonderful, prepared me well for college... Read 66 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 380

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  81 reviews

Middle school student: Riverdale is really an incredible school. I have been here since K and the way the school both nurtures and challenges students is remarkable. For the most part, I have also found my classmates and their families to be incredibly kind and welcoming. And while I still have some time before college applications, it seems like the outcomes in that realm are consistently excellent. I highly recommend RCS.... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,299

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  120 reviews

Senior: Chapin is one-of-a-kind! The highlight of this school is the professional community. The relationships I've made, mentors I've found, and lessons I've learned transcend the classroom and are what I'll miss most next year. I couldn't feel more ready for college, although it will be hard to leave!... Read 120 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 814

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Houston, TX•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  119 reviews

Sophomore: Throughout my time at SJS, I've felt strongly welcomed by the community. The sense of community is my favorite part about the school; the teachers love to support their students, and the students enjoy supporting their classmates. Since it's one of the most rigorous schools in the state, the strong mental health support system is very helpful. Known as the "school for the nerds" by the rest of Houston, we enjoy to compete and win in athletics as much as possible. The food has countless options, and the 7 day block rotation can be a challenge at first, but you get used to it quickly. The scheduled breaks in the day for fine arts also help break up the repetitive school days. At SJS, there is something for everybody, between the countless clubs and activities.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,424

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Lakeville, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  93 reviews

Junior: Hotchkiss was a life-changing experience. I met so many different people from all over the world. I've been apart of sport teams, winning together, losing together. 10/10 would recommend.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 599

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  154 reviews

Parent: A current HM parent whose child joined 9G, I had big expectations that have been exceeded. I expected the school to nurture our child's intellectual potential, it is the manner in which this has been cultivated that is impressive -- the depth of critical discussions (feels like college-level engagement), feedback for growth, and a deeply personal and caring network of support from student advisers to social and academic issues is intentional, accessible and thoughtful. The school deserves its STEM reputation, not just due to faculty, facilities and rigor, but equally because of the curiosity-driven and creative space teachers bring to the experience. One thing for HM to change is to bring more prominence to more sports that student athletes do well in, from waterpolo to fencing and field hockey etc. Sports and teamwork are also part of the HM equation but are sometimes overlooked.... Read 154 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,793

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Dallas, TX•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  83 reviews

Senior: Although small, the St. Mark's community is great as there are a myriad of ways to connect with others. One example is how the Seniors get little buddies (1st through 3rd graders) that they interact with throughout the year, and at the all School Christmas party, bring their little buddy in on their shoulders and let them put an ornament on the Christmas Tree. This is only one of the many ways that St. Mark's brings everyone in the community together. Even if some of the courses are hard, the teachers are great and willing to meet outside of class to help students out. There are also many ways for parents to be involved in the St. Mark's community.... Read 83 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 911

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• La Canada Flintridge, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.64 out of 5  111 reviews

Sophomore: Flintridge Preparatory School has allowed me to find myself and grow myself as a student, leader, and friend. There are plenty opportunities that allow me to express myself and meet new friends. If I could change anything I would create more spaces on campus that allows me to connect with my community and have more lounge spaces to do homework.... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 530

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  66 reviews

Parent: My daughter is thriving in Castilleja. In the past two years since she joined, I have seen such immense positive change in terms of her confidence, independence, study habits, time management and connection with her whole school community. Her teachers understand my daughter and is always there to help. Another big factor that contributes to this is that every kid is very driven and that they positively influence each other. I used to and check on my daughter's school work during elementary school. I never had to do that since she started in Castilleja because I see that she can handle everything and is ready to take responsibility for her own education. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this school.... Read 66 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 424

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  51 reviews

Senior: Crystal is definitely a humanities-focused school. The English and history programs are very demanding, and the honors-level classes require significant time and effort to excel. It's small, so a proportional number of classes is expected, but a large share of the electives are concentrated in the history and English departments. The STEM side is much more limited and mandatory CS classes for underclassmen are a joke. You will also choose very few of your classes until senior year. While there are a small number of teachers known as ones to avoid, the majority of teachers are very knowledgeable and approachable. Poor administration in areas such as food (as they continually negotiate the contract down) and a commitment to wasting time with endeavors like DEI and various mandatory meetings detract from the school's academic mission. On some days it feels like I'm spending more time listening to guest speakers than studying. However, facilities are generally new and well-maintained.... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 565

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  95 reviews

Sophomore: The community is extremely supportive and nurturing with teachers who truly want to see you succeed. I am continually astounded by the dedication and care almost all teachers put into their courses and the community over all. The academics are extremely rigorous and quite challenging but it pushes you to be the best version of yourself. I hope to maintain the friendships I have made throughout my whole life as my classmates and friends are truly wonderful people. Even beyond the unique facilities Brearley has to offer, I will always love 610 as it has felt like my second home for so many years. As a student of color, I feel supported and included by the school’s DEI measures and in my affinity group, especially after adjustments made in the past few years :). I have made so many wonderful memories during my time at the school through its numerous traditions and activities that I truly feel like I belong. I am so lucky to be a part of this community of truthful beavers toiling away!... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 776

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Windsor, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  149 reviews

Parent: Exceptional learning environment where the students are challenged and supported in equal measure. As the parents of two very different children, we experienced first-hand how well the faculty know the students and tailor their guidance and teaching accordingly. The school bolstered our home lessons in integrity and respectful discourse and critical/independent thinking. The grounds are beautiful. The arts program faculty are an especially talented, capable and the foundation of a wonderfully warm village for the kids to join.... Read 149 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 736

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Lawrenceville, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  183 reviews

Parent: As day student parents committed to driving students inside the redline (not permitted to board) we agree with the student reviewer that second form orientation could use modification. The non-stop activities from morning until 10/11 pm seem unnecessary unless exhaustion is the goal. Thank you for considering commuting parents driving an hour to get to Lawrenceville School (4 hours daily). Our children love to be at Lawrenceville and are thankful to attend but near midnight arrival home for almost a week was not the best for all. Good luck Lawrentians for spring semester and Congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2024!... Read 183 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 822

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  82 reviews

Alum: Trinity School was an amazing experience. The rigorous academics were definitely the highlight; my teachers at Trinity were passionate, kind, and and incredibly knowledgeable. Trinity teachers were so good that I ended up disappointed by all of my college professors in comparison. The new expansion of the buildings brought fantastic facilities, lots of great spaces with a lot of natural light.... Read 82 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,001

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• West Palm Beach, FL•

• Online School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.89 out of 5  175 reviews

Junior: Overall, I think this is one of the best online schools. However, with any online school there are some challenges. For instance, you don't get that in person connection with people and it can be hard to learn course material on zoom. If you choose to take harder courses, you will probably need a tutor or extra time studying and learning material outside of class. You have to be really on top of your school work and make appointments to ask questions because it's not like you can pop into your teachers office during the day.... Read 175 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 365

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• L•

• Online School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.77 out of 5  64 reviews

Senior: It is a wonderful experience studying with CGA! I am given multiple opportunities outside of academics to grow my student profile, through the means of clubs, events, webinars, competitions and projects. I was also helped extensively with my SAT preparation, alongside my 4 AP classes. The student-faculty ratio at CGA is perfect for a productive suggestion. CGA has also given me the opportunity to grow my extracurricular activities. I am a violinist and guitarist. CGA’s flexible time schedule has helped me give more time to my passion, which I was struggling to do in an offline school. If you are looking for world class education at your doorstep, CGA is perfect for you.... Read 64 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 341

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1