2023 Best Private Schools in the Cleveland Area

• Hudson, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  250 reviews

Freshman: Western Reserve Academy is a really supportive high school that sets up its student with a lot of oppertunities. It has great academic rigor, as well as great sports programs like riflery and wrestling. The school’s teachers are all very supportive and helpful and always encourage students to reach out for help when needed! Western Reserve also has great safety (as an international student I was really worried about safety being a teen studying abroad during times of asian hate) but the school takes great measyres to know where students are and who they are with.... Read 250 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 431

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Hunting Valley, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  147 reviews

Parent: University School delivers big when it comes to the education, success and happiness of their boys. They embrace each student by fostering intellectual curiosity and success in a positive and supportive manner. Starting from a young age, the boys are encouraged to problem solve, actively participate and become an engaged member of the University School community. However, what truly sets them apart is their commitment to developing each boy’s character by instilling responsibility, loyalty, consideration and integrity. My son has not only been able to excel here, he is thriving. Most importantly, he is confident, happy and excited about learning. Univeristy School is filled with wonderful families who are completely supportive and encouraging to their boys and the US community. We feel lucky to be a part of such a wonderful place!... Read 147 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 859

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Shaker Heights, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  136 reviews

Parent: At the beginning, my daughter was very hesitant to attend HB for her high school. However, during the four years, she learned a lot, met many good friends and wonderful faculty and thus became loving HB very much. HB offers rigid curriculum, an open environment with healthy competition which helps the kids better prepare for the future. The college counseling of HB is also amazing— I really appreciate the school for starting the information sharing at the very early stage— hope parents and students get prepared early!... Read 136 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 747

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Gates Mills, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  158 reviews

Senior: Hawken School is a collaborative environment that develops children as both students and as people. As a student you are encouraged to try new things and learn on a wide variety of subjects. Hawken breaks the mold of a structured high school, and offers classes on niche topics, like a class that walks you through US history from the lens of baseball. For this reason, the teachers and students are truly interested in the subjects, creating an enriching environment. Additionally, Hawken offers a vibrant social life, containing over 100 different clubs, offering many opportunities to meet new people. My favorite thing about Hawken has to be the student to teacher relationship. It is evident that the faculty care about their students success and education which provides further motivation for students. Additionally, there is a sense of respect towards faculty that I have not seen anywhere else. Students take pride in the classes they take, and on being a member of the Hawken community.... Read 158 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,082

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Shaker Heights, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  125 reviews

Parent: My son is new to the Early Learner's program this year. We chose Laurel due to its phenomenal reputation for Early Childhood. Our very first visit confirmed what we had heard in the community: the teachers are second to none, and the environment is welcoming, warm, safe, full of love and lots of learning! My son runs happily into his classroom each morning, so excited to see his teachers & friends and for all that is in store for him each day. The communication from the teachers is excellent and it's clear they are experts in early childhood education, developmental stages and transitions, and helping each little person become their best, most confident self! Laurel's commitment to play-based education (with a heavy emphasis on outdoor & experiential learning) was an important factor in our decision, and it's clear my son is growing by leaps and bounds. We could not be more pleased with our choice and his experience!... Read 125 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 570

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• North Ridgeville, OH•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  76 reviews

Senior: Lake Ridge Academy is a great school for kids who are looking for a hands-on learning community where teachers become friends and advocates. The small size of the school can be challenging socially (particularly in younger years), but the overall quality of the school experience makes it worthwhile. Best English and History teachers anywhere. School of Fine Arts and Center for Scientific Research offer students a chance to pick their adventure. One of the best features of the school is the large physical campus which includes a greenhouse, a small working farm, outdoor classrooms, woods for an annual Ohio historical re-enactment, soccer fields, tennis courts and more. Class trips each year of high school extend learning opportunities off campus. Very much a community school with active involvement of parents. Lots of opportunities for students to participate in and/or create student led organizations focused on topics that students want. One warning: no cafeteria!... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 400

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Willoughby, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  54 reviews

Senior: What I like about the school is that, Andrews Osborne Academy prepares students for higher education and empowers them to be successful leaders committed to serving in an international community. AOA....where students learn to think creatively. We have a 300 acre campus in Willoughby, Ohio, a beautiful setting located only 25 minutes from University Circle, the heart of Cleveland's cultural activities. Each year 100% of graduates are accepted to 4-year accredited colleges and universities. When a student comes to AOA, they find a close-knit community, small classes, and a wide variety of clubs, teams and activities to help them learn and grow. Andrews Osborne Academy’s standout academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities and robust curriculum provide an educational experience that is unrivaled. Our teachers are talented, creative, forward-thinking and inspirational professionals who lead each student’s personal learning journey with great attention to the individual student.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Cleveland, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  197 reviews

Alum: I had an amazing experience at Saint Ignatius and I learned so much. The academics and athletics are top-notch, but the school is so much more. The tradition and expectation of community service helps students experience the real world and become Men for Others. There is a great community, and the connections and friends made here will continue throughout your life. You get a lot of freedom, and one of the best parts of going here was being able to go off-campus to get food or explore Ohio City. I grew in my faith and as a man from what I learned here. It prepared me for college well and it's overall an amazing education!... Read 197 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,430

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Akron, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  81 reviews

Senior: Because The Elms is so small, you can build meaningful and close relationships with your classmates, as well as the teachers, and each class is very engaging, and the teachers are easy to talk to, and work with. there is a wide variety of fun clubs, school traditions, sports, and weekly school-day activities. Its especially fun during the holidays! Every now and hen, there is also mass, which helps to calm our minds from the stress of school, and refocuses us on our personal relationship with God. We also have a lot of opportunities to help different charities in our community, and the school dances are always a lot of fun!... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 265

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Gates Mills, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  94 reviews

Freshman: This school is literally amazing! It is developing a more diverse community, opening up its doors to more diverse teachers and providing aid and help to students in need. Plus, they have become more LGBTQA+ accepting and have multiple clubs, giving people an outlet to speak and be who they want to be. Not to mention, their sports are amazing and have all won their state tournaments and championships.... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 732

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Lakewood, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  194 reviews

Alum: Great overall environment with impart ales community involvement A place where students grow intellectually while learning the importance of us citizenship. History and role in the world Extraordinary school spirit which Carrie’s forward throughout life Great alumnae reunions Unbelievable sports program across so many major spots such as hockey, wrestling, football and basketball Most h s state championships in sports in the state of Ohio despite not starting until 1952 Great emphasis on religion as way of teaching right and wrong and being a good contributing member of society Outstanding sconce program and quiet possibly the ver best language program in Latin in the entire country... Read 194 reviews

• grade A

• Students 867

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Cuyahoga Falls, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  221 reviews

Senior: It has always felt like home. The environment is warm, the teachers genuinely care about the learning and welfare of the students, and I know I am receiving the best education possible. I am challenged daily, and have learned to "think outside the box". I feel ready for college. I also appreciate that there are many clubs that are available to join. In fact, I even started a club this year.... Read 221 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,010

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Cleveland Heights, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  203 reviews

Other: I am absolutely thrilled with my experience at Beaumont School in Cleveland Heights, which I did not know much about earlier! From the moment I walked through the doors, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that made me feel right at home. The dedication of the staff and teachers is truly commendable – I can comfortably say that they go above and beyond to ensure that each student receives a top-notch education tailored to their individual needs.One thing that sets Beaumont School apart from other schools that I have been to is its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community.The sense of belonging I felt among all the staff members and students were invaluable. Maybe that is not something that I can express with words but something beyond that; therefore, you should come and see it with your eyes and feel it with your heart and soul. Last but not least, Beaumont has an amazing chef and his team who cooks unbelievably delicious, keeping everyone even happier.... Read 203 reviews

• grade A

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Akron, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  165 reviews

Senior: The school is great for tradition and education, but for extracurriculars, the football team takes priority, even when other teams are state qualifiers and state champions themselves.... Read 165 reviews

• grade A

• Students 818

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Akron, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  210 reviews

Junior: Me choosing to Attend St.Vincent- St.Mary has been one of the best choices I made. From the first day, I walked into the school I got adapted to it. The school is very family oriented. Everyone is accepted and there is a place for everyone. Everyone at the school is helpful and very supportive. The staff also want the best for you and they push you to your highest potential. There is also plenty of classes you can choose from to help get you ready for college and life responsibilities. I recommend STVM to everyone! If you think there isn't a place for you I guarantee you STVM is that place.... Read 210 reviews

• grade A

• Students 650

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Beachwood, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: The overall environment of the school is amazing. You are almost guaranteed to leave with a smile every day!... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 451

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Rocky River, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  208 reviews

Alum: Magnificat is an amazing school they have a rigorous college preparatory course and show dedication to helping all students grow and learn in every way. The school has top of the line features and state of the art classrooms. Although people are highly critical of the school's lack of diversity, it is ignored that Magnificat is a great community that values quality education. Magnificat gives accessible aid to any student that needs help and gives back to the community in any way possible, the girls who attend there have access to many service projects and outreach events that build up the rocky river to be an amazing community! I hope you or your daughter has an amazing experience at mags, just like mine!... Read 208 reviews

• grade A

• Students 701

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Parma, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  191 reviews

Senior: What I like about Padua Franciscan High School is the atmosphere. The atmosphere here is very joyful and spiritual. The teachers are always trying their best to help you succeed, they work tirelessly to help their students succeed, many go far and beyond to help students succeed. They will stay hours after school for tutorials if you don't understand something, or even come super early in the morning. Most of them are flexible with schedules. The counselors here are exceptional because they work day and night to meet deadlines, and have to gather a lot of information for college. The students here are always willing to help each other out and every grade gets along. The athletics here, are incredible, every year we have students committing to further their athletic and academic career at college. Our football team has won all but two games this year! What needs to be changed is probably really only the food here and the expense of it, it is very expensive in my opinion for lunch.... Read 191 reviews

• grade A

• Students 740

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Cleveland, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  282 reviews

Senior: I loved attending Saint Joseph Academy. It has been wonderful to attend a school that cares so much about its students! I liked the freedom students were given when selecting classes and during lunchtime to go to club meetings, meet with teachers, and hang out with their friends. If I could change one thing, I would want more classes offered in unique subjects such as economics and criminology so students could pursue these interests!... Read 282 reviews

• grade A

• Students 688

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Rocky River, OH•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  88 reviews

Senior: My overall experience at West had been great education wise. The teachers are fantastic and always willing to help, they always motivate their students to do more. I enjoy the different options I have for learning and the different levels provide so you can learn at a pace that is right for you. The sports at Lutheran West are on the rise and our school continues to train harder and get stronger with our athletics. Overall I have been enjoying my time at West and I am glad I attended.... Read 88 reviews

• grade A

• Students 600

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Mentor, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  110 reviews

Senior: The community aspect of Lake Catholic is strong and students have opportunities to take a broad range of classes, including AP classes. The uniform can be a pain sometimes, but it makes the students look more organized. Religion classes are required, even for those who aren't Catholic, but the religion teachers are respectful of everyone's beliefs and religion class can be a very calm setting for students to relax for a period during the day. The amount of performing arts and fine arts classes offered is incredible and Lake Catholic even has their own pottery studio with wheels. The athletics at Lake Catholic are also incredible, especially with the recent state titles.... Read 110 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 511

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Canton, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  101 reviews

Senior: I did not want to go to this high school when I started out. I was the first of my siblings to not go to a public school and I hated it. However, the school ended up being the perfect fit for my needs. It is a close knit community, where every teacher knows your name and is willing to lend a hand. Yes it has its flaws, as all religious minded schools do, but I really believe it is the best choice available for students that are able to attend.... Read 101 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 319

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Westlake, OH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  13 reviews

Parent: This school has been an absolute answer to our prayers in all ways. The teachers are phenomenal shepherds of the children, the fellow families are strong and intentional Christians, and the academic programming is top notch. The school upholds the admission standards as well as standards for excellence and glorifying God through education. We are looking forward to the addition of more sports!... Read 13 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 325

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Cleveland, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  48 reviews

Parent: If I could give a 10/10 to Benedictine I would. Situated at the top of a hill looking westbound over downtown Cleveland, it offers an expansive campus complete with a 9-12 High School, Church, Monastery for the Monks, Grotto, and Athletic Facilities including a turfed outdoor all-purpose football field. They are currently undergoing a renovation process to add a school entrance, science wing, and meeting space. I also heard they will update and modernize the cafeteria and some roofs on campus. They call Benedictine, The Home of Champions because they embrace a championship mindset. In academics, in sport, in family, and in future life. Ryan Ryzner doing a tremendous job building a team of administrators, faculty, and support staff that is transforming Benedictine from a good college prep school into a superlative college prep school. Benedictine will prepare your young boy for life as a man. Just visit the school and get a feel for how special this place really is!... Read 48 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 297

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Cuyahoga Falls, OH•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  251 reviews

Senior: I love how welcoming and warm thr atmosphere of the school is. Teachers and are very kind, along with most students. When you step into the building you can really feel how different it is from other schools. I feel more comfortable to be open and myself at CVCA than previous schools I've attended. One thing I would like to see change is more diversity. Currently the school is lacking in that aspect. In terms of diversity, racially the student population is 90 percent White. People of color are minorities in the school. It would be nice to see more ranges in culture and back ground in the school. Especially since it can feel very isolating for many poc students, including myself.... Read 251 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 843

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1