2018 Best Private K-12 Schools in America

Best Schools

18,949 results

Horace Mann School
Private School
Bronx, NY
K-12
106
1 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Going to Horace Mann challenged me both mentally and emotionally. I had never experienced a curriculum as stimulating prior to me going to Horace Mann. Their facilities, resources and academic opportunities have allowed me to be both socially and politically conscious of the environment around me. The students that you meet strive for nothing less than perfection. But I will admit that this yearning for perfection can be emotionally and mentally taxing on students. It can be hard to be in a school where almost everyone is a perfectionist and where the school grooms you for college from the very beginning. It can be overwhelming and tiring to have such expectations placed on you. But without the pressure put on by teachers and administration, I would not be as ready for college as I am now. Horace Mann guided me every step of the way through the college process and helped tremendously with anything I needed financially. The challenge is worth it, and so is attending Horace Mann.
Read 106 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,694 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Harker School
Private School
San Jose, CA
PK, K-12
103
2 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: I graduated from Harker having gone here since kindergarten. Harker is a truly unique place because of its combination of school culture, top-level academics, and burgeoning athletics. While there is a sense of competitiveness and stress (mostly seen in the high school level), the teachers and students that go to this school are all wonderful, kind people who come from a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. As a student, you'll find so many options to choose from here: the multitude of clubs and student-run organizations, nationally-ranked speech/debate programs, business/entrepreneurship programs, sports (both varsity and JV), and musical (both singing and instrumental) departments. And I haven't even mentioned the academics, which is the biggest reason for Harker's success over the years. I've had the best experience here for over a decade, and I am ready to go to college safe in the knowledge that I've been very well prepared to make my mark on the real world.
Read 103 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
46
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 46 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,001 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Sidwell Friends School
Private School
Washington, DC
PK, K-12
39
4 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Sidwell Friends School has been an amazing place to foster my intellectual growth. Sidwell is a Quaker school and Quaker values (especially community and integrity) are very present within the school environment. Students are very involved in the school community and participate in various activities including club, plays, athletics, orchestra, chorus, and jazz. Teachers are always available to help and foster students that are sensible, compassionate and bright. At Sidwell I have been surrounded by students that genuinely care about whats going on the world around them, want to change the world, and are using their education to do so.
Read 39 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
90
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 90 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
858 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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St. Mark's School of Texas
Private School
Dallas, TX
1-12
35
6 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: Attending St. Mark's was the best decision I have ever made. The school made me grow academically, but even more as a young man. With bountiful leadership opportunities through the Community Service Board and Telos, I was able to take full advantage of serving those around me. In addition, the Wilderness Program taught me character and really helped bound my class. The teachers at St. Mark's are first-rate, and they are always available for office hours and really want to get to know the student. The student body is full of compassionate and caring young men, and anyone can fit in. Without my St. Mark's education, I would not be the man I am today.
Read 35 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
863 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Cranbrook Schools
Private School
Bloomfield HIlls, MI
PK, K-12
199
7 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Junior: The teachers and administration really do care about your well-being. Sometimes that manifests itself as tough love but you always come out a better person after. They also want to help you in any way they can. Personally, my advisor has worked with me to get me in the classes I want and encouraged me to take risks with classes I hadn't thought about before. The college counseling is top-notch. The campus itself is extremely nice, but the girls' bathrooms leave something to be desired. The student body is incredibly diverse; I have close friends of all colors, from places like Russia, Vietnam, China, Korea, etc. The diversity of perspective is the diversity of the campus ten-fold. The people I have encountered here are some of the nicest, most thoughtful people I have ever met. They are outgoing, accepting, everything you could want from classmates. Overall, my experience here has been amazing, and I highly recommend this school to others.
Read 199 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,659 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Westminster Schools
Private School
Atlanta, GA
K-12
144
8 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: Westminster gave me the challenges, opportunities and support to become the person I am today. I'm getting my degree at my university but I got my education at Westminster. Now having the chance to compare my high school experience to that of my friends in college it is even more clear that Westminster is an incredibly special place. I have always loved to learn and I think at any other school that love might have diminished instead of being nurtured. I will always treasure my time there!
Read 144 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,874 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Collegiate School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
18
9 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Freshman: Overall incredible experience after my first ten years. Can't wait to see what comes of my last three. My brother goes to Trinity, and we can both agree Collegiate is a way more superior institution. Collegiate is forward-looking, fresh, vigorous, immeasurably fun, and overall great school
Read 18 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
651 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Riverdale Country School
Private School
Bronx, NY
PK, K-12
27
10 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Beautiful campus! Amazing teacher involvement. Everyone wants the students to succeed and will support them in any way they can. Tons of extracurriculars and sports clubs and teams with amazing facilities. (New Pool is beautiful!)
Read 27 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,154 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Hockaday School
Private School
Dallas, TX
PK, K-12
113
11 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Junior: There is no other school like Hockaday. Our teachers challenge us with new topics and ideas in our studies, but also come out to support us in sports events and fine arts showcases. The friends that I have made at Hockaday compare to no where else. I always know that I can trust them, and, most importantly, make me laugh. Lastly, I know that after graduating that I will feel prepared to take on the world with both its exciting adventures and challenges with confidence after the Hockaday education I have received on lessons for in and outside of the classroom. Hockaday can at times be challenging but cultivates an inclusive, supportive, and positive community that I am proud to be a part of.
Read 113 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
104
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 104 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
62
13 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: Dalton offers an incredibly challenging academic environment for it’s students. As a School with a progressive philosophy expect students to be charged with managing there studies and responsibilities on there own from a very young age. Music and arts a a focus but sports are somewhat of an afterthought. A quick poll of parents will have you believe that every child is easily getting A’s. Don’t believe it. The use of tutors is pervasive. The amount of homework is staggering. I have a student there and the teachers share test and project grade averages. Trust me when I say all kids are not getting A’s. For those kids who can cope with the homework and absorb the material Dalton will turn them into super students. Word on the street is that after Dalton, college is a breeze for these kids. Then again all those kids may have been the ones that easily got A’s :-)
Read 62 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,322 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Germantown Friends School
Private School
Philadelphia, PA
PK, K-12
51
14 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Middle School Student: Academics are very good. Diversity could be improved. Teachers are wonderful. We have plenty of security guards to keep us safe. The school works very hard to create a open and welcoming environment. Sports are good but not great, the coaches are not very educated in the sports they coach. The food selection is very wide and it is good quality and healthy, however it is VERY overpriced (chicken and pasta was $9.25) Facilities could use improvement. In old buildings heat and air conditioning is poor and bathrooms are disgusting.
Read 51 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
906 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Greenhill School
Private School
Addison, TX
PK, K-12
71
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 71 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
93
16 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Milton Academy is one of the best things in my life, but also the most stressful. The opportunities at Milton are endless and I feel incredibly privileged to have teachers that care about my well being, activities and clubs, a beautiful campus, and a seemingly endless supply of resources (such as art supplies, computers labs, food).
Our food selection is incredible with a food for every person in any mood. The staff is always kind which just adds to the joy of lunchtime.
While there are teachers I have heard about that are hard to work with or learn from(which happens anywhere), I have been very lucky to only have dealt with one teacher I didn't like (out of more than 25). I appreciate the skill level that the teachers have and the personal relationship that students can build with them throughout the year.
I think that the faculty is very fair and thorough when dealing with disciplinary issues and I completely agree with the standards of respect and honesty that we are held up to.
Read 93 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
46
17 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: I had the good fortune of graduating from BB&N about 10 years ago. I enrolled in BB&N in 9th grade.

Simply put, BB&N is one of the top high schools in the United States. I will not list the statistics that prove this out because they are easily available online. If you are a young person who is dedicated to their studies, the BB&N experience offers endless academic and intellectual challenges. If I compare the academic and professional trajectory of my BB&N classmates and that of my university classmates, my BB&N classmates more consistently find themselves doing impactful research, working for interesting companies and nonprofits, and helping to shape American politics.
Read 46 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,017 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
104
18 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: Plus:
Extreme college prep (getting tired of other parents telling me how their child thinks MIT was easy after Lab), theme of asking "why" in addition to "what" in every pursuit, general consistency in teaching excellence, well-organized academic programs, culture of excellence among students, nifty vibe on UChicago campus, good facilities, no-cut athletic programs

Minus:
This school is very religious (religion of liberalism, social justice, and multiculturalism--which are all laudable, but they lay it on very thick), too many helicopter parents, too much homework, superficial diversity (does not represent the actual SouthSide--seems like most of the black/hispanic kids have rich or famous parents. In general, minimal socioeconomic diversity), virtually no school spirt in a traditional sense (sports, school sweatshirts, dances).
Read 104 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
69
19 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: St. John's faculty are super engaged, hands on, and truly passionate about what they are teaching. They seem to genuinely care about every student. They are available to simply talk to whether you need help to understand a concept or are having a bad day. Similarly, the students are almost all just as engaged and interested in what they are learning. I do have some comments/complaints. The school and the students at the school have A LOT of money that is used for the most boujee things imaginable. 10 thousand dollars on cookie cake? Yes. Getting too lazy to water the grass so they spray paint the lawn green? Of course! Building a new baseball field, realizing it faces the wrong way, and then rebuilding it again to make it face the other way? Yep. The school is constantly under construction building many often unnecessary buildings and fields.
Read 69 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
353 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Head-Royce School
Private School
Oakland, CA
K-12
52
20 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: I've absolutely loved my experience at Head-Royce. There are a few things that I'd want to change. As a minority at a predominantly white school, I can often feel alienated and without a voice. Minority students either abandon their culture completely or are extremely cultural, both of these being ways of survival in an environment thta does not look like them. There really is not a middle ground. but it is relatively easy to find small group of close friends and teacher who will support you. The academics are absolutely amazing, and the college counseling team is stellar. You're sure to attend an amazing university, if you attend Head-Royce.
Read 52 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
70
21 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Though Chapin is a diverse and open community and has progressed to take more active stands social justice issues over the years, there is always room to improve. I think we need to focus more on action in our community. I have been thinking about this for some time, and I think Chapin should hold its own high-school wide diversity conference during a town hall meeting slot in which we would simulate some of the same discussions and activities from the Student Diversity Leadership Conference for all of us to experience. I think that, if that meeting were successful, it would be eye-opening to then include other inter-school students in this discussion, and host our own Diversity day. Also, as an individual I will of course continue to try to make our community as safe a space as possible both by voicing my own experiences and also, as an ally to other marginalized groups, by giving space for others to use their own voices.
Read 70 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
44
22 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: I think I’m one of those kids who adapt to their environment easily. However that doesn’t necessarily describe the culture of your environment, just that I’m adaptable. My school is economically, socially and racially diverse. I always thought my neighborhood, mostly Latinos and Portuguese, and myself a Korean/Colombian was as diverse as they come. No! Having different culture/nationalities in your neighborhood doesn’t qualify as being diverse. Diversity is a community of different backgrounds in a where we learn, share and understand different ideas. This is the Dwight Englewood culture.
Read 44 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
947 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Princeton Day School
Private School
Princeton, NJ
PK, K-12
64
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 64 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
950 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Chadwick School
Private School
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
K-12
71
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 71 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
830 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Hackley School
Private School
Tarrytown, NY
K-12
52
25 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Sophomore: As a sophomore currently in Hackley, I can only highly recommend the school. The academic program is one of the most rigorous out there even if it isn't noticeable in the school. Various AP classes and advanced electives are the common practice beginning sophomore year and beyond and some freshmen may even take some as well.

The English Department is considered the bane of most students' existence and goes into such analytical depth that it rivals any AP English course out there.

Transitioning from a public school to this could be difficult, especially if it's into the Upper School. The rigorous curriculum will challenge you, and lower grades than usual will appear. Our strongest science and math students who take on AP Physics C and Multivariable Calculus in senior year are subject to the two most difficult classes in the school, classes that can give test grades as low as 40 on a regular basis. It's worth it though, the experience is unforgettable.
Read 52 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
834 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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1 of 758

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