2018 Best Private K-12 Schools in America

17,108 results

Horace Mann School
Private School
Bronx, NY
PK, K-12
98
1 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Junior: After being accepted in 10th grade, my transition could not have been more easier than with the attention and friendliness of my teachers and fellow colleagues. As I walk into the school, each morning I hear a warm welcome. This contributes to the five core values of the school, which are life of the mind, mature behavior, mutual respect, a secure and healthful environment, and a balance between individual achievement and a caring community. These values aren't just stapled to the walls of the building, but they are shared among all the people of the community.
Even in a great school, there are things that should be given more attention. More specifically, as a Russian speaking student, I think that it would be nice to be able to take a language in school that isn't offered in most high schools. It would not only give students the chance to try out another language, but it would also give native speakers the chance to maintain their knowledge of the Russian culture.
Read 98 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,694 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Harker School
Private School
San Jose, CA
PK, K-12
93
2 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Niche User: We have two children at Harker, both in lower school. Our fifth grader has been here since grade 2, our second grader started in Kindergarten, and we are constantly amazed at the level of support teachers provide to students, both academically and emotionally, in terms of character building. When our fifth grader has struggled with academics, teachers reached out to us with concrete advice, invitations to come to extra help in the morning and other suggestions for helping him thrive --and he has done so! Along with kind, calm, sensible *intelligent and thoughtful* teachers who brigh their humanity to the classroom, there is a lower school-wide program that helps students understand their emotions at times of frustration to help them understand how to deal with their concerns effectively. The after school care staff is incredibly polite, attentive and sharp, I've never had any concerns about playground misbehavior as the staff are super vigilant and the equipment is top-notch and well maintained. The kitchen is outstanding and provides healthy snacks (included) before and after school, and students can choose to have a nutritious school lunch prepared on site, or bring their own food from home. Just a great experience all around!
Read 93 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,044 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Trinity School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
37
3 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: Trinity has been an amazing experience for my daughter. She came in 9th grade from an all girls school (Brearley) and my daughter had the fortune of choosing between Trinity, Dalton, Horace Mann and Exeter. We were worried about the academic intensity but my daughter was well-prepared by her time at Brearley and thrived in an environment where students are constantly challenged and pushed to do their very best. She loves her classmates, and finds the school much more diverse than Brearley. Overall a great experience so far!
Read 37 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
998 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Sidwell Friends School
Private School
Washington, DC
PK, K-12
30
4 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: I had a wonderful experience at Sidwell. I was surrounded by peers of all sorts of backgrounds- economical, racial, sexual orientation, and religion! There I was able to understand who I wanted to be and what I wanted to represent. The school was also extremely supportive of everything and anything students did with criticisms on the school and society as a whole. I really do appreciate everything the school has done and given me.
Read 30 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,145 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Polytechnic School
Private School
Pasadena, CA
K-12
82
5 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Junior: There are so many opportunities at the school, that you can honestly do anything you want to pursue your passion. The teachers are always there for you, and are there to help you improve all the time. The academics are strong, and it's honestly so manageable.

Poly does truly have a really competitive environment. Because the school is so small, you get to know everyone, and you realize the amount of competition that exists within every grade. Sometimes, you really just feel stupid in a class (I know I have). But I love this school so so much, and I have honestly met some of the best people in the whole world. Though it is competitive, everyone is welcoming, and once you feel a part of the Poly community, you feel like you can conquer the world. I am so happy I chose this school and don't regret my decision to come. GO POLY!
Read 82 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
868 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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St. Mark's School of Texas
Private School
Dallas, TX
1-12
32
6 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Niche User: St. Mark's is nationally-recognized for academics, with a challenging curriculum designed to prepare students at their very best. Teachers are often experts in their field, and often are recognized curriculum leaders. While the workload is intense, students are almost always more than capable of handling it, and the school ensures that there is adequate support for the students' success.
Read 32 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
851 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Cranbrook Schools
Private School
Bloomfield Hills, MI
PK, K-12
186
7 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: Cranbrook is the best school in the world! After having a terrible time in elementary and middle school in the public school system, I switched to Cranbrook and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Cranbrook helped me to become a strong and confident student. I am now at a top 50 school worldwide and am succeeding at a level that would have never been possible without the amazing faculty and staff at Cranbrook!
Read 186 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,670 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Westminster Schools
Private School
Atlanta, GA
K-12
133
8 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Niche User: Our consistent national rankings say it all, and are true. This is a great school academically, teachers are great in their subjects and are usually well-known individuals, hard curriculum, but has variety. Be prepared to work. Also be prepared for that work to pay off once you graduate -- college is extremely easy once you have graduated from Westminster!
Read 133 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,862 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Collegiate School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
16
9 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Been here 13 years, amazing place, produces articulate and athletic boys who know it. Teachers are almost entirely college level professors with sophisticated appreciation of the material.
Read 16 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
648 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Riverdale Country School
Private School
Bronx, NY
PK, K-12
24
10 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: Riverdale Country School is an exceptional place. Teachers are brilliant and passionate about their field, making for an engaging yet lively classroom experience. The dean of the upper school, KNF, is kind and intelligent, and is always working with other administrators and faculty members to make the school an inclusive place. This school has changed so much for the better since my freshman year and is only continuing to make progress. I came into college prepared and have no regrets attending RCS.
Read 24 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,154 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Hockaday School
Private School
Dallas, TX
PK, K-12
105
11 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: I went here for 14 years and loved my experience! I felt so prepared for college and I got some inspirational and helpful teachers, genuinely interesting classes. Furthermore, they taught us how to be independent, socially-aware, and smart women.
Read 105 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,089 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Detroit Country Day School
Private School
Beverly Hills, MI
PK, K-12
98
12 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: I spent 12 years at DCD and it is impossible to think of all the ways the school helped me become the person I am today. Country Day taught me more than just what you learn in class. I was constantly learning. In the classroom with teachers who genuinely cared about our well-being and success. On the field with coaches who pushed us to give our best effort. In the hallways with friends who understood just how lucky we were to be there.
Country Day did everything it set out to do for me, and I couldn't be more grateful.The demanding workload helped me understand how to not only balance studies, sports, clubs, and a social life, but thrive while doing so.
I'll always love everything about my school!
Read 98 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,522 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Dalton School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
53
13 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
High School Senior: After being at a school for thirteen years, it's hard not to only see the bad in it. There are many fantastic things that go on there, but I'm able to see the worst in it just because I want to see something new so desperately. The social diversity is hard to navigate, though, knowing the same group of 100 people for the past 13 years and seeing them in the halls can become drudging and tiring. There's also the additional part that the people tend to be uniform and there aren't as many social groups or cliques as there tend to be in other schools, making it hard for students to find a place within the school and make new friends after 13 years.
Read 53 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,303 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Germantown Friends School
Private School
Philadelphia, PA
PK, K-12
47
14 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Sophomore: The community is incredible - teachers will genuinely care about you individually and its goal is to make everyone feel included. It is a quaker school, but it's not overly religious. There's Meeting for Worship every week, but it's a nice time to connect with other students and faculty and relax.
Read 47 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
906 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Greenhill School
Private School
Addison, TX
PK, K-12
64
15 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: The sense of community at this school is amazing and something I definitely miss having graduated. My decision to attend this high school was by far the best decision I've made and prepared me so well for college. Couldn't have possibly wished for a better high school and definitely can't imagine my life without Greenhill in it! Athletics played a huge role in my time at Greenhill and I really don't understand why sports is rated so poorly on here. Football isn't the only sport at the school - they did struggle for a while but they're a great team now anyways. But regardless, Greenhill definitely has good sports teams and athletes. By far one of the strongest SPC schools in many different sports. In addition, the bonds of teams and the tight-knight relationships/friendships formed through athletic teams at Greenhill is priceless.
Read 64 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,290 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Milton Academy
Private School
Milton, MA
K-12
83
16 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: As a parent, I could not be happier with the education my two daughters have received at Milton. The have learned a lot, and have really grown as individuals. The college placement group may be the best one in the entire world! I felt they were safe and supported at their dorm (they are both boarders), and have made lifelong friends.

Each of my girls had one bad sports experience at Milton, so I didn't give sports that high of a mark, but everything else is great.
Read 83 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,000 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Private School
Cambridge, MA
PK, K-12
38
17 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Freshman: As a new freshman at Buckingham Browne and Nichols (BB&N), I immediately felt welcomed by the entire community. BB&N encourages me to take risks, as in running for (and becoming) Vice President of my class in my first year at the school. The incredibly supportive school environment completely contradicts BB&N's reputation of being not supportive and the teachers having a "sink or swim" attitude. My experiences at BB&N show that not only do they want to support the students, but they go out of their way to do so. The school is aware of the rigorous academic curricula at BB&N and they want the students succeed while still upholding the rigorous academics, and the many different layers of support BB&N has does just that.
Read 38 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,013 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
97
18 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Niche User: Lab school was a wonderful and unique school. It is academically very rigorous, and really prepares its students for college. However, especially in lower school programs, it assumes that children are being taught a lot of the basics at home (for example reading and grammar). Lab school is a liberal and open-minded community. The faculty work to make a great school community, and as a community the students discuss current events. However, most students are "lifers" which means they have been going to school with the same kids since kindergarten. This makes it difficult for transfer students to make friends. Lab school also as fabulous clubs. In particular the Model UN usually ranks amount the top five high school teams in the country. Lab school has some wonderful teachers (many golden apple winners) but some unfortunately eccentric teachers as well (in particular most of the high school science teachers). All in all, a fabulous and unique school!
Read 97 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,051 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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St. John's School
Private School
Houston, TX
K-12
60
19 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: This is a wonderful school. I learned so much as a result of being a student at this school: time management, writing skills, studying habits, work habits, multi-tasking, etc.. This school is very challenging and is most definitely not for everyone. If you are a forward-looking student who wants to excel and push yourself, then this is the type of school you should dream of. You are surrounded by incredibly intelligent teachers, overall faculty, and a very caring student body. This is a fantastic place to grow and learn, and I wouldn't trade the four years I spent at this school for anything.
Read 60 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,258 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Head-Royce School
Private School
Oakland, CA
K-12
44
20 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Excellent teachers and academic resources! Many of the women's sports are phenomenal, however they could be better supported by the athletic department and administration.
Read 44 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
875 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Chapin School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
67
21 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: When our lower school daughter gets within 50 feet, she runs to the front door. The school is filled with friendly, well behaved girls. As for diversity, about 35% of the class is "of color," which includes African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian-Americans (with sizable contingents of parents whose own parents or grandparents left China, India, or one of the Muslim countries). In other words, Chapin has deliberately spread beyond its WASP history. A large majority of parents are highly educated, disciplined, understated, and working at a high level in finance, banking, and law. At the same time, Chapin has the 2nd largest endowment in NYC, and there is significant financial aid. Some would prefer a more middle class group of parents, but Chapin has been a great, great place for our daughter.
Read 67 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
725 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Dwight-Englewood School
Private School
Englewood, NJ
PK, K-12
41
22 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Niche User: My first two years at this school were tough, but after I finally adjusted, I found myself being more open to the people around me. There are people of all different backgrounds and mindsets, and one can learn a lot by interacting with a diverse group. Aside from ethnic diversity, there is also religious, social-class, sexual-orientation, and political diversity. If you want to learn more about yourself and the world around you, come to Dwight-Englewood School!
Read 41 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
900 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Princeton Day School
Private School
Princeton, NJ
PK, K-12
58
23 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: I had a great experience at PDS and would do it again. The school has great academics across all departments, although historically the history and arts departments have stood out. That said, the science department has advanced impressive amounts in the past few years. PDS has some extraordinary teachers, ones with significant success in their respective fields. There are, however, just like any school, those teachers who are simply okay.
The sports teams have seen a high degree of success in the past few years, as well as increasing amounts of recruits.
The school culture and community are also generally good, although school spirit seems to be somewhat down this year. The administration could also stand to be a little more involved, as sometimes it seems interactions with students are at arm's length.
Overall, this is a great school with some areas that can be improved, and I expect the school to become only more nationally well-known and ranked as the school expands and improves.
Read 58 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
950 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Chadwick School
Private School
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
K-12
64
24 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: What an amazing place Chadwick is! Academically, the small class sizes allow the teachers time to adapt to the needs of the kids. In my own experience at the school I was amazed when I went to college and found classes almost universally to be a breeze thanks to Chadwick. The school entirely subscribes to a whole child philosophy, where you can load up your schedule with as many challenging classes as you like with a talented group of students, but they strongly encourage going beyond traditional academics: Outdoor ed – Each year your child will embark upon an outdoor education trip as a class where they form friendships and lifelong bonds and challenging themselves mentally and physically in ways you just can’t in the classroom. Performing and visual arts – Your child will be strongly encouraged to get outside of their comfort zone and participate in a rigorous, well-developed arts curriculum. I can confidently say Chadwick is a very special place.
Read 64 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
831 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Hackley School
Private School
Tarrytown, NY
K-12
45
25 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: This school has prepared me beyond believe for my academic and athletic endeavors in college. I truly feel as if I am prepared to tackle all of my academic work without feeling overwhelmed, due to Hackley's intense writing program and vigorous courses. The teachers show a real love for teaching and their students, and the students here all show a love for learning. Hackley has allowed me to not only be accepted into Cornell University, but it has also prepared athletically as I will be playing football at Cornell and I was recruited by numerous other ivy and academically challenging schools to play football. Hackley is constantly trying to improve in all facets for their students, from an intellectual to infrastructural standpoint . The only problem I had with Hackley was that my social life was hindered due to the school work and there isn't consistent support for sports teams from students (except for important games).
Read 45 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
834 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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1 of 685

Horace Mann School

The Harker School

Trinity School

Sidwell Friends School

Polytechnic School

St. Mark's School of Texas

Cranbrook Schools

The Westminster Schools

Collegiate School

Riverdale Country School

The Hockaday School

Detroit Country Day School

Dalton School

Germantown Friends School

Greenhill School

Milton Academy

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

St. John's School

Head-Royce School

The Chapin School

Dwight-Englewood School

Princeton Day School

Chadwick School

Hackley School