
Best private high schools in New York
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 York 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. Poly Prep Country Day School
– Location: Brooklyn, NY
– Enrollment: 1,155 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#29. Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 1,192 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#28. Ethical Culture Fieldston School
– Location: Bronx, NY
– Enrollment: 1,662 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#27. The Stony Brook School
– Location: Stony Brook, NY
– Enrollment: 453 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#26. Portledge School
– Location: Locust Valley, NY
– Enrollment: 546 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#25. Emma Willard School
– Location: Troy, NY
– Enrollment: 350 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#24. The Hewitt School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 475 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#23. Saint Ann’s School
– Location: Brooklyn, NY
– Enrollment: 1,095 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#22. Friends Academy
– Location: Locust Valley, NY
– Enrollment: 706 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#21. Hackley School
– Location: Tarrytown, NY
– Enrollment: 855 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#20. United Nations International School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 1,426 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#19. French-American School of New York
– Location: Mamaroneck, NY
– Enrollment: 741 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#18. The Browning School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 410 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#17. Packer Collegiate Institute
– Location: Brooklyn, NY
– Enrollment: 996 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#16. Marymount School of New York
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 768 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#15. BASIS Independent Brooklyn
– Location: Brooklyn, NY
– Enrollment: 729 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#14. Avenues The World School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 1,958 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#13. Rye Country Day School
– Location: Rye, NY
– Enrollment: 957 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#12. Collegiate School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 656 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#11. Regis High School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 532 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#10. The Dalton School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 1,331 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#9. The Nightingale-Bamford School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 710 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#8. Convent of the Sacred Heart
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 741 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#7. The Spence School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 772 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#6. Lycรฉe Franรงais de New York
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 1,150 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#5. Trinity School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 1,001 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#4. The Brearley School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 776 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#3. Horace Mann School
– Location: Bronx, NY
– Enrollment: 1,793 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#2. The Chapin School
– Location: New York, NY
– Enrollment: 814 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

#1. Riverdale Country School
– Location: Bronx, NY
– Enrollment: 1,299 (6:1 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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By Stacker
Hey Jon Dykstra, was wondering why Riverdale Country School made it to number 1? My kid is looking into good schools and the ranking kinda surprises me.
went to one of these schools and it was chill, not sure it made me any smarter though lol
Surprised to see the French-American School of New York not higher on the list. Their bilingual program is exceptional.
Have you thought about how the private high schools in New York not only excel academically but also offer cool extracurriculars? Those connections can really help with college and career transitions!
all these schools but none teach you how to be cool. real education is on the streets folks.
All these schools and their rankings but does any of it really matter in the end?
I think it does matter. The school environment can shape a lot of your future.
As someone at one of these schools I can say the education is top-notch. Really grateful for the opportunities.
Not sure if the high tuition fees justify the education. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
Are any of these schools good for international students? Looking for a welcoming community.
Horace Mann at #3?! Should be #1! Best years of my life were spent there, hands down.
Would be interested to know the criteria used for these rankings. Education isn’t one-size-fits-all.