2023 Best Boarding High Schools in New York

• Tarrytown, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  76 reviews

Alum: I began attending Hackley in the sixth grade and remained there through the end of my high school career. With such great academic resources at your disposal, it's hard to not garner great college readiness. That being said, near-college level stress on children definitely creates a stress-inducing atmosphere. While this may be perceived as preparing kids for the real world, providing few mental health resources and being in the predominantly white, affluent bubble of Hackley does anything but that. Very grateful for the great opportunities the school afforded me both in and out of the classroom, particularly through travel, which was covered by my hefty financial aid. I would make sure families considering Hackley (particularly families of color or little financial means) know that the adjustment may take a toll on your student.... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 855

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Dobbs Ferry, NY•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  122 reviews

Alum: I attended The Masters School from 5th - 12th grade and had an amazing experience! The school has a strong sense of community; teachers are invested in their students, not just teaching cutting edge curricula but also being willing to explore students' interests inside and outside the classroom. The campus is beautiful, and facilities are top notch. The school both honors its long, rich history and constantly looks forward to meet changing times and needs. Graduates of The Masters School are well-rounded, open-minded, confident forces for good.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 694

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Troy, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  88 reviews

Senior: Without a doubt, the community and academics at Emma Willard are incredible. From day one everyone has been warm and welcoming, and everyone here really cares about one another. The teachers are always there to help with classwork/homework or just to have a chat, and the schedule is set up so there's built in time to hang out with friends and still get work done. The curriculum itself is challenging, but to a level that students will feel comfortable with and can keep up with, and as I said the faculty are always there to help. I do think the school has a lot of room to improve in it's mental health/counseling services, but the school is attempting, I think, to be responsive to it's students, it's just taking a long time. However, despite the slowness it does seem to be progressing in its DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work, and has committed to continue working on it for the foreseeable future, which is super great!... Read 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 362

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Stony Brook, NY•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: I am constantly recommending The Stony Brook School to my family and friends because it is such a wonderful place. My daughter has thrived and become a more confident learner. She enjoys going to school each and every day! The teachers challenge her while offering support any time she may need. The faculty, staff and coaches are top notch and really care for their students and want them to succeed. She has grown tremendously both as a writer and reader. Socially, she has made many sweet and caring friends at SBS. There is a strong sense of community among students, faculty, staff and parents. The Stony Brook School hosts numerous events both on and off campus. The schools motto of Character Before Career is truly evident and embraced by all. If you are considering sending your child, I urge you to visit and talk with the school to see and hear about all the greatness taking place. We are so thankful to have found The Stony Brook School!... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 453

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  99 reviews

Junior: Great school! Like all places, there are definitely some things that can be improved. Overall the school is a good place to be if you are looking for a small private new york city school then this could be it for you. The IB program could use a little work. Having more concrete classes and requirements and standards for testing and assessing. There could also be more use of the city and the neighborhood as an asset. Like using the park and museums near by. While there are thing s that need improvement there are a lot of things that I love.... Read 99 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 700

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Cornwall-on-hudson, NY•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  120 reviews

Senior: Amazing school! Amazing teachers! Great classmates. If your looking for a smaller school with a great community, The Storm King School is the place for you!... Read 120 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 198

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Pawling, NY•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  49 reviews

Parent: As a parent, I cannot recommend Trinity-Pawling School highly enough. From the moment we arrived on campus, we knew this was the right place for our child. The facilities are state-of-the-art, the campus is beautiful, and the community is welcoming and inclusive. The faculty and staff are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where students can thrive. The school's commitment to character education is noteworthy.... Read 49 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 268

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• East Hampton, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.78 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: Following a Socratic approach to learning, teachers build a strong relationship with students that not only makes it easier to seek aid or advice from them but also makes the learning experience that much more enjoyable. Teachers even become mentors or friends were students can really connect to a teacher with the same interests and build that relationship. Sharing a coffee, or entertaining interesting conversations is not new in Ross between students and teachers. That is what makes Ross teachers great, the fact that they are willing to go above and beyond to help a student grow inside and outside the classroom.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 368

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• St. James, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  30 reviews

Alum: I attended the Knox School myself and my niece and nephew are current students at Knox. I highly recommend the school to any parent seeking a school that helps each student become the best version of themselves. Not only is the academic program stellar, but there is a great family atmosphere. The amount of individualized attention your child will receive is unparalleled. There are many extracurricular activities as well. Throughout the pandemic, the school has gone well above and beyond to keep the students and staff safe and healthy, but the school created an amazing virtual learning environment. Thankfully the students are back in person; however, the amazing work the school did to create a wonderful virtual environment is a testament to how hard they work for their students.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 127

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Thornwood, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  102 reviews

Sophomore: First of all, i’d like to admit the effort teachers put into us. Everyone is super respectful and understandable, kind and opened towards you. Also, my friends from this school are the ones i love the most and get along with. The international community helped me to gain experience about people’s attitude depending on the culture and personal experience. This is the most important skill i’ve learned in EF. To understand and treat people well. The only thing i’d change here is passes to New York for everyone, even 10th graders. That would bring the equality up and teach us how to be responsible for our own lives. Thanks to everyone who made my year so amazing and unforgettable!... Read 102 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 275

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New Lebanon, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  54 reviews

Works Here: I work at The Darrow School and my experience has been amazing. The curriculum is top-notch, with faculty and staff that are committed to the students and each other. The school culture is warm, respectful and embracing of everyone. Students are engaged, encouraged and supported in all facets of boarding school life for a well-rounded experience that promotes healthy socio-emotional, academic and physical development. Darrow has amazing facilities and program offerings for a small, independent boarding school. From our top-notch performing arts center for music, theater and media engineering, to the he Kurtz Innovation Center, where students explore new technologies, to The Living Machine™, the country's first ecological wastewater treatment center located in a high school, to name a few. I consider myself lucky to be part of Darrow and encourage families to give our a school a look for themselves!... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 110

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Millbrook, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  60 reviews

Alum: As an alumni, I am extraordinarily appreciative of the education Millbrook gave me. My teachers pressed me to become a strong writer and that served me well in college and beyond. I attended an ivy league school and found myself better prepared than my peers. Millbrook has similarly done that for my daughter. Her teachers have pushed her to bring out her best. I am proud of how far she has come in her 4 years at Millbrook and how ready she is for college. Millbrook has done a wonderful job admitting great kids - bright, kind, thoughtful, encouraging students. Great friends. I have been happy with the administration including the new Head of School, Jon Downs. I have also been happy with their college support and the caring dedicated nature of faculty generally. The one area where Millbrook really needs improvement is their R&R / weekend programming. There are not enough opportunities for kids to go off campus just for fun and be kids. No mid-week options. Not enough special events.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 325

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Buffalo, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  122 reviews

Junior: I am a rising senior at Buffalo Seminary currently, and have greatly enjoyed my time here. This school is incredibly welcoming and all of the students and teachers are very encouraging. I've had a very positive experience with my classes, and since SEM offers a very wide variety of courses, it is easy to find classes that interest you. Also, SEM's arts program is very strong, and there are many different opportunities to be involved in the SEM arts community. I have appreciated the efforts to create a more diverse community, but feel that the administration could be doing more to uplift students of color. Overall, I feel very ready to go into college and feel that SEM has given me many opportunities to make my application strong. I truly do love SEM, and I would definitely recommend upcoming students to check it out!... Read 122 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 160

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Brookville, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  158 reviews

Parent: We could not be more thrilled with our choice to send our daughter to school at Luhi! The small class sizes, engaged staff and nurturing environment have really allowed our daughter to flourish. Her teachers have really gotten to know her, which has made her feel very comfortable. She is happy and willing to go to school every day- and we fully believe that is because of the warm, caring, welcoming environment. We have seen quite a change in her academics at Luhi and feel that she is finally reaching her full potential. We cannot wait to see what the rest of her career at Luhi is like- if we’ve seen all of these wonderful changes in just one year!... Read 158 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 428

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Poughkeepsie, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  39 reviews

Junior: Attending Oakwood Friends School has been a great experience academically and socially. I have had the opportunity meet students from all over the world. The teachers have been very supportive in guiding my education in the right directions to get accepted to the university of my choice. The extracuricular activities I participated in taught me a lot about teamwork and sportmanship.... Read 39 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 184

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  21 reviews

Alum: From my experience at YUHSB from 2015-2019, I can relay that the high school puts a tremendous amount of resources toward student activities, extra-curriculars, and experiential learning. There are a plethora of student-led clubs and teams, as well as a host of guest speakers on a variety of topics. Though my overall experience was wonderful, the school could've done better on transportation, and the environment toward LGBTQ+ students as well.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 280

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Katonah, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  62 reviews

Parent: Harvey is a special school with a strong sense of community providing an environment that encourages learning, creatively and risk taking academically as well as in sports, the arts and many other areas. Harvey's college prep curriculum encourages critical and creative thinking while ensuring that students maintain self-respect and self-reliance. A diverse student body with a wide variety of academic abilities and backgrounds, Harvey offers grade level, honors advanced placement courses, while focusing on each student to ensure that they are being challenged and supported. Small class sizes, collaborative learning environment and access to teachers make Harvey a wonderful, engaging learning environment. Students are encouraged to try new things, push themselves beyond their own expectations – academically as well as on the sports fields, in the art center, robotics lab or in Model UN. Harvey is where students want to learn, explore, and excel! Harvey provides "Rigor with Heart!"... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Lake Placid, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  10 reviews

Sophomore: Northwood School was the door that opens many opportunities and experiences. As it is known as a sports school, I have befriended many athletes who taught me how to play their sport. From soccer to skiing, the sports that northwood represents are never boring! Northwood is becoming more culturally diverse with the integration of international students . Northwood is also generous in handing out financial aid to those who need it. With northwood being in the adirondacks, changing the schools lifestyle to help the climate crisis is a must. Northwood starting using all recycled cups, napkins, etc to help the overconsumption of wood. There are students who run environmental club to work on how the school can leave a smaller carbon footprint print. As for racial inequality, Most Bipoc students are in the multicultural student club and they work on fighting inequality in the community and globally. Northwood is a great school to consider in your highschool application process!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 189

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chestnut Ridge, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  26 reviews

Parent: We cannot express enough the gratitude and admiration we have for Green Meadow. By focusing on and celebrating the best parts of childhood, the Green Meadow curriculum, campus, and faculty and staff cultivate creativity, curiosity, and joy within their students. Our child has benefited year after year from the hands-on experiences and the contemplative studies the school provides to each and every student. As parents in the 21st century, it's so reassuring to know that Green Meadow remembers what it's like to be a child. Their holistic approach to educating through the years with developmentally appropriate curricula allows children to see the world for its natural beauty and native brilliance. Because students are fully engaged in the learning process, from performances to immersive explorations (have you even seen their notebooks!?!) they develop an autonomy, agency, and confidence to take on the future in the face of all its uncertainties. It's truly a beautiful education.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 272

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Hoosick, NY•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  79 reviews

Senior: There are many things I like about Hoosac. The things I liked the most are: small school, small class sizes, most faculty resides on campus which allows me to reach out almost anytime and not only during school hours. I also enjoy that the class schedule is set up like college. This allows me time to get some things done in the afternoon before practice and allows me plenty of time at night to study and hang out with friends. Even though hockey is my primary sport, I'm also able to participate in other sports and activities on campus. Some improvement suggestions would be broader class offerings, sports facilities on campus (this creates student involvement), better communication to parents and of course the food could always be better.... Read 79 reviews

• grade A

• Students 230

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Middletown, NY•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: My son joined Northern Academy of the Arts in the 10th grade, and the change I saw in him since the first day has been incredible. He is much more motivated than before, taking responsibility of his academics while also seizing leadership opportunities within the school. He has joined more clubs than I can count, and he has taken full advantage of the school’s wide range of programs, whether they be AP courses or art programs. Personally, I believe this change is due to the school’s focus on teaching traditional values, thus making the children more responsible and more appreciative in their everyday life. The staff and faculty at Northern Academy are also top notch. More than once I’ve heard my child talk about how a teacher made his day by having a fun and engaging class, a real testament to the time and effort they put into educating the children.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 120

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Cornwall-on-hudson, NY•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  22 reviews

Parent: Administration listens to the kids when they say they need help and/or want to add specific classes. They add new teachers to accommodate students wants and needs as much as possible. I’d like to see higher quality food offered. Possibly locally grown/organic options. Maybe local farms would be willing to donate and/or give a discount?! Primarily a boarding school, parents are not as involved as non-boarding schools. It would be nice to get the community more involved to bring in more school spirit (especially since most parents are unable to attend sporting events).... Read 22 reviews

• grade A

• Students 100

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Houghton, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  44 reviews

Works Here: As a former student and current teacher my positive experience with Houghton Academy goes back more than fifty years. What I like about Houghton Academy is the dedication that the faculty, staff, and administration demonstrate to the academic, spiritual, and personal development of each student. The school’s small size and location in a small town contribute to each student feeling like a member of a close academic family. However, the school’s proximity to Houghton University means that the cultural and educational opportunities at Houghton Academy are far greater than would be expected given its small-town environment. In the future, I hope that Houghton Academy will continue to grow moderately, without sacrificing its family-like atmosphere. I would like to see the Academy’s excellent music, arts, and cultural programs grow as the student body expands. Houghton Academy’s 140 years of experience in Christian education is hard to beat.... Read 44 reviews

• grade A

• Students 63

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Pine Bush, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  41 reviews

Sophomore: Great Christian school! Wonderful Learning environment that challenges students to really dive deep into the material. The teachers really care about students and are very helpful, especially in the Math Department.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A

• Students 300

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Hamburg, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  90 reviews

Senior: I had an incredibly memorable experience. I was encouraged to do as much as I can, regarding clubs and sports. I played volleyball all four years, and I'm very glad I did. I made close friend that I would like to remain close with in my future. But in addition to volleyball, I played lacrosse my senior year. I wanted to play freshmen year, but then Covid struck and there was no season. I was intimidated to play my next two seasons because I knew I was behind on skill because I have never played before. But my senior year, I realized that I wouldn't have the opportunity to play on a high school team again, and decided to play. It turns out that there were other people in situations similar to mine on the team. But I became friends with people on the team fast, and am so glad I decided to play. The school also had lots of opportunities to travel to other countries. I traveled to two countries: Italy and Costa Rica. The Costa Rica trip inspired me to continue studying Spanish in college.... Read 90 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 470

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1