2020 Best Private K-12 Schools in America

Best Schools

21,601 results

St. Mark's School of Texas
Private School
Dallas, TX
1-12
52 reviews
#1 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Attending this school is the best thing i’ve ever done in my life. This school prepares you for college and life out in the real world. The teachers genuinely care and the community of St. Marks is extremely generous. The experience of learning at St. Mark’s is the best that money can buy. If you want you child to be successful, virtuous, and well rounded, send him to St. Mark’s. I will be forever grateful for this school and the 90 brothers that I gained from the moment that I stepped onto 10600 Preston Road. God Bless and Go Lions!
Read 52 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
863 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Trinity School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
54 reviews
#2 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Niche User: Amazing school. Superior academic, athletic, and fine and performing arts programs. Great teachers. Bright, academically driven students. Great facilities. Superior financial aid and college placement programs. Strong and successful commitment to diversity. Half the senior class gains admission to at least one ivy league college; a record unmatched by any other high school in America. For the right student, one who is bright, highly motivated, task oriented, and talented in one or more non academic areas, Trinity is a superb fit. For students who don't possess a first class work ethic, Trinity can and will knock you down, even bury you. All in all, for a bright, talented, and highly motivated student, you really can't do any better.
Read 54 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,001 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Horace Mann School
Private School
Bronx, NY
K-12
121 reviews
#3 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 121 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,694 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Collegiate School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
22 reviews
#4 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 22 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
651 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Brearley School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
57 reviews
#5 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: My daughter began in Kindergarten and (still) loves it! She’s now in high school. It's a nurturing place for learning. The staff and faculty are incredibly supportive. They know each child. The curriculum is top-notch. There is a methodical approach to the curriculum that begins in the Lower School and continues in the Upper School. One example is in the writing program and how it evolved from Kindergarten, building on each girl’s capacity and capability, each year. Our daughter now produces papers for many courses that are well-written and well-argued! We feel that Brearley is our second home in the city. My daughter has life-long friends. Our family has also found families who will remain in our lives for a very long time.
Read 57 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
720 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Pingry School
Private School
Basking Ridge, NJ
K-12
81 reviews
#6 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: Yes, Pingry has a reputation for being academically intense and it is certainly well-deserved. Expectations are high at every grade level, but the academic rigor is worth every penny. Having had children in other local private schools I can say Pingry is solidly a grade level ahead- if not two. Our child learns a week’s worth of material in a day and Loves every minute. Our public schools are excellent and I feel like it’s tough to justify dropping $40k a year, but with Pingry I can say I sign that check without hesitation. The value is there.
Read 81 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,125 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Polytechnic School
Private School
Pasadena, CA
K-12
97 reviews
#7 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: My experience at Poly has been unforgettable. I entered as a freshman and immediately became involved in the sports and clubs they offered. The school offers several ways for students to follow their passions including student-run clubs, classroom projects, and service opportunities. The school also ensures students grow outside the classroom through international trips and outdoor education trips. I traveled to Nicaragua for a week with peers and teachers to teach the students there English, and it was an eye opening experience. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to go on the trip, and I'm thankful Poly made it financially possible for me to go too! The teachers are also incredibly supportive and make it their priority to help students reach their full potential. My chemistry teacher met with me before school at 7:30 in the morning just to go over topics that I was struggling with. Overall, Poly is a great place, and I could not imagine high school anywhere else!
Read 97 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
859 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Nueva School
Private School
Hillsborough, CA
PK, K-12
29 reviews
#8 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Junior: The main appeal of the Upper Nueva School is the quality of education. A remarkably low teacher-to-student ratio ensures that each student receives a personalized, tailored, and accessible educational plan with a well-defined expectation of success.

Beyond this, students have vast educational freedom. People have access to an extensive library, couches or isolated workspaces, and peer help. Outside of midterm and finals week, I complete my homework at school more often than not.

The main drawback is that the administration tries too hard to differentiate us from similar schools. For example, during finals week, the administration took 25 minutes to unravel a massive yarn ball- literally- and connect it to 400+ student. When people tried to chat with friends, we were shut up. When introverts reached for their phones, stern faculty yanked them away. We do something like this every Monday.

A remarkable school in terms of education, but the administration is downright terrible.
Read 29 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
605 Students
4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Sidwell Friends School
Private School
Washington, DC
PK, K-12
46 reviews
#9 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Sophomore: I came to Sidwell freshman year, and I’m going to be a sophomore in the fall. Although I have only been here for a short amount of time, I already love the school, and I am proud to be a part of the Sidwell community. I love how the faculty are not only incredibly supportive but honestly do everything they can to help all students, succeed. I love my friends and the competitive academic environment, and although the program is rigorous, that’s what I’m here for, I already love the school.
Read 46 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,145 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Dalton School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
66 reviews
#10 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: Dalton has a pretty rigorous academic curriculum that is definitely not the right fit for everyone, but in my opinion has done a good job of preparing students for college and beyond. Many classes are discussion based so it can be difficult to fade into the background or not do your work, and the environment is generally really competitive, especially in later years when college comes into the picture. One great thing about the school is that it gives laptops to each student for the whole school year, but you're paying for that and more with the price of tuition.
Read 66 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,322 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Georgetown Day School
Private School
Washington, DC
PK, K-12
41 reviews
#11 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Junior: GDS is in so many ways an ideal learning environment. The teachers are engaging, supportive, and rigorous, the extracurriculars are multifaceted and enjoyable, the athletics are fun and competitive. GDS exemplifies it’s mission, as it leaves students more prepared for life after high school, while instilling them with a crucial sense of right and wrong, and the tools to go out into the world and right some of those wrongs. More than anything else, GDS is what it is because of the students. Collaborative, intellectual, kind, and engaging, the community truly is like no other. People genuinely care about both each other and the school, and that aditude leads to a community that isn’t just in school from 8:15-3:15 and then gone, but one that keeps the building lively at all hours. GDS is truly an incredible place, and I hope that this convinces someone to either apply or attend. I promise you won’t regret it!
Read 41 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,075 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Cranbrook Schools
Private School
Bloomfield HIlls, MI
PK, K-12
211 reviews
#12 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: This school has a great environment that fosters learning. Every classroom has a good learning environment: students are attentive, and teachers collaborate and give respect back to the students. However, the culture of Cranbrook needs work. I find that many students are entitled or do not realize the privilege they have even over other students in their class. I have really enjoyed using Cranbrook's facilities and making best friends with students from all over the world. As far as rigor goes, this school is understandably harder than the surrounding public schools: it is a college prep after all. However, students have a choice in their course load to customize it to their limits, and I have found that teachers are always willing to help when approached.
Read 211 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,659 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Rye Country Day School
Private School
Rye, NY
PK, K-12
86 reviews
#13 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: I transitioned from a rigorous private school in UK or RCDS. Transition has was wonderfully smooth and incredibly easy. Academics are top notch and rigorous- on-par with UK standard of rigour. I’m so glad I studied here. A warm metropolis is how I remember RCDS to be. A great place. Wonderful and supportive teachers. The headmaster was excellent and made sure the school was run like a finely tuned machine but a warm kind machine!
Read 86 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
924 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Chapin School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
72 reviews
#14 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Senior: I have been at Chapin since Kindergarten, and they have supported me through my entire journey. During my time here I learned I have dyslexia and other learning disabilities and Chapin's learning resources and faculty have been there to guarantee my success. They have excellent resources for all your needs and if you feel like Chapin is lacking in a department they will help fill that hole. I can attest to the fact the Chapin tries to keep up with the times as they have changed a lot during my time here. For example, they have always been at the forefront of the newest strategies to best educate the students such as getting rid of AP classes and implementing new teaching techniques like more class discussions. I highly recommend you send your child or come here because I would not have wanted to grow up in development in any other institution. I am not saying that Chapin is without faults, but they always have good intentions to make this environment the best it can be.
Read 72 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
725 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Milton Academy
Private School
Milton, MA
K-12
105 reviews
#15 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: My older daughter is studying in Milton Academy. We chose Milton because of the atmosphere of the school and its location.
The school is very liberal, I would even say a bit aggressively liberal, speakers with more conservative views are rarely invited. So, what I don’t like - one-sided views, and although no one is punished for expressing different views, not liberals are not encouraged to speak up.. Unfortunately in Milton kids are encouraged to have one unified view, at least that’s how it looks.
Teachers are mostly good, helpful, responsive. Some very young teachers are obviously not the best choice, but even they are very well qualified.
Campus is a very safe place, dorm teachers are always available for a parent to talk, as well as advisors.
Sports program is good too, although swimmers do not have a swimming pool on campus and have to go somewhere else for practice.
Overall the school is great, and my daughter had never had any afterthought- she likes it very much.
Read 105 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,020 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Riverdale Country School
Private School
Bronx, NY
PK, K-12
39 reviews
#16 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Middle School Student: I have been at this school for 3 years. While I have a great group of friends, there are some white kids who feel privileged and may make you feel less than. The teachers are great and the resources and campus are great! We have our own pool and every student gets their own Chromebook in 6th grade. I would recommend this school because it has many opportunities to discover your talents.
Read 39 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,189 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Head-Royce School
Private School
Oakland, CA
K-12
54 reviews
#17 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: Amazing school! The 3 pillars speak for itself! Citizenship, Diversity and Scholarship! My son attends 1st grade the teachers are phenomenal and the system is excellent I’m each area! The head of the school is a genius! We are truly blessed to be party of the head Royce family and what a great balance for my son! Social, emotional and academically challenged couldn’t ask more! Very well structured and amazing staff! We feel at home and our money is well invested!
Read 54 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
875 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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St. John's School
Private School
Houston, TX
K-12
77 reviews
#18 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Middle School Student: I love it there! It is a very exciting school, with lots to learn. The teachers are involved and great with the students. Although the school is amazing, the diversity isn't very great, and the school is trying to change that. The sports programs have a lot to offer. There is a array of teams to pick from, but we don't win every game. This year the school incorporated a security dog into the school.
Read 77 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,258 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Spence School
Private School
New York, NY
K-12
19 reviews
#19 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Freshman: The Spence School has an amazing community of girls while also maintaining its academic rigor. Every day, I come into school with a smile on my face because I am so excited to go into school- because I know that it means not only learning and seeing my friends, but it also means partaking in numerous after school activities at Spence. I also feel that I am challenged in so many new ways each day but classes are still fun and hands on!
Read 19 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
751 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Harker School
Private School
San Jose, CA
PK, K-12
114 reviews
#20 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: I had an amazing experience at The Harker School, partly due to my transformative athletic experience in the high school. Harker's athletic directors and coaches work hard to facilitate a high quality student-athlete experience, and they are constantly improving the facilities so that the available equipment is state-of-the-art. I am sure that the skills of time management and teamwork that I developed as an athlete bolstered my performance in the Harker classroom, and since I was studying so much, it was very healthy for me to be committed to a physical extracurricular activity through team sports. From my experience, like the teachers who work at Harker, the coaches in Harker athletics care deeply about the overall well-being of Harker students and understand that rigorous sports not only can complement but also can support and extend the rigor of intellectual pursuit. I can't recommend Harker athletics and Harker coaches enough!
Read 114 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,048 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Westminster Schools
Private School
Atlanta, GA
K-12
159 reviews
#21 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Sophomore: In order to succeed or even survive at Westminster you need to be a very specific type of learner (the standardized test target). The decision to switch to four classes per day really helped everyone focus on each individual class more easily, though. The main problem at this school is stress. Even the smartest students are under immense pressure. On the forefront of everyone's mind is college applications, which may seem good, however this is the main contributor to Westminster's inherently competitive environment. You can tell the deans/grade chairs mean well when they sign you up for sites that tell you whether or not you'll get into college, but this constant reminder that students aren't perfect enough does more harm than good. To add onto that, Westminster's competitive environment tends to make any friendships/relationships inherently toxic, as you will constantly be comparing yourself to everyone around you. It’s like a cage fight--two hundred go in, one goes to Oxford.
Read 159 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,870 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Private School
Chicago, IL
PK, K-12
114 reviews
#22 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Middle School Student: As a Middle School student the University of Chicago, the classes are very academically centered. The teachers are very knowledgeable of the subject they teach. However, the amount of homework received throughout the average week can be overwhelming, possibly making the Middle School experience stressful and overwhelming. The diversity in the school is quite exceptional. Unfortunately, if you do not have a sibling currently attending the school, or a parent who works at the University, you will find it a near impossible feat to be accepted into the school.
Read 114 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,051 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale
Private School
Fort Lauderdale, FL
PK, K-12
112 reviews
#23 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Parent: What a wonderful and unique community this school is since they have Pk-12 students! The campus is beautiful, clean, modern, secure, and full of activity! The faculty and staff are friendly and helpful. The teachers are amazing, caring, and well educated individuals.
Read 112 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,636 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Germantown Friends School
Private School
Philadelphia, PA
PK, K-12
62 reviews
#24 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Alum: Definitely a fantastic school. There's a lack of diversity which is an issue which the administration seems committed to solving -- both socioeconomic and racial. The teachers care quite a bit about their students, though there's been a lot of turnover in the past few years. They send many of their alum to good institutions, which is a testament to how much the college counseling team/the teachers care about the kids there. Could use more focus on getting students to take arts/music/classics/language classes because people definitely tune out by their senior year. Generally, a very happy place to be, though, and I have entirely positive memories from my education there.
Read 62 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,017 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Hockaday School
Private School
Dallas, TX
PK, K-12
125 reviews
#25 Best Private K-12 Schools in America
Junior: Hockaday is amazing, it has cultivated me into becoming the girl I am today! My teachers, since 5th grade, have taught me inside and outside of the classroom. I have the opportunity of watching my classmates excel at their respective passions while finding some of my own, ranging from lacrosse to Model UN.
Read 125 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,091 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Fairfax Christian School
Private School
Dulles, VA
PK, K-12
30 reviews
Parent: It's a wonderful place. Caring teachers, challenging curriculum, excellent facilities. All of our children have attended and gone on the top universities and amazing careers. Thank you!
Read 30 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
296 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Orchard House School
Private School
Richmond, VA
5-8
1 review
Alum: These four years of middle school were some of the best years of my life; both academically and socially. The academics are rigid, but it prepared me for high school. The teachers are amazing and teach to fit every individual's needs. Another amazing aspect of this school was the community involvement. We had so many traditions from morning meeting with the entire school to the beloved 5 and 8's pairing. I have never grown so close with a group of girls before, and even after graduation, we still talk on a daily basis. I formed relationships that will always last. The leadership program is also amazing as it teaches us how to take charge and be prominent women in society. The sports are not exactly the best, but you do not have to try out which increases a girls confidence and encourages her to do something out of her comfort zone. That being said, winning isn't always the only thing that defines a good sports program. This school transformed me as a person and prepared me for life.
Read 1 Review
78 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Lowell School
Private School
Washington, DC
PK, K-8
12 reviews
Parent: I have one alum and two middle schools sons at Lowell. The younger two started in Kindergarten and the oldest in third after attending our local public elementary school. Although my sons are completely different, Lowell has managed to understand and bring out the best in each of them. My oldest, the quiet introvert at public school, was completely brought out of his shell and is now a confident 10th grader. Lowell taught him self advocacy. My younger two have been encouraged to use their over abundance of self-confidence to boost other children up. Thanks to Lowell, they are empathetic leaders. Lowell has helped me parent my boys to be their best selves -- confident yet kind, thoughtful and public-spirited. All of that PLUS a leading edge curriculum that allows them to easily attend the top public and independent high schools in the city!
Read 12 Reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
340 Students
5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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1 of 865

St. Mark's School of Texas

Trinity School

Horace Mann School

Collegiate School

Brearley School

The Pingry School

Polytechnic School

The Nueva School

Sidwell Friends School

Dalton School

Georgetown Day School

Cranbrook Schools

Rye Country Day School

The Chapin School

Milton Academy

Riverdale Country School

Head-Royce School

St. John's School

The Spence School

The Harker School

The Westminster Schools

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale

Germantown Friends School

The Hockaday School

Fairfax Christian School

Orchard House School

Lowell School