2023 Best Private Schools in New Hampshire

• Exeter, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  320 reviews

Parent: Boarding School is such a unique experience, and I truly believe no school can quite encompass that authentic "boarding school" experience like Exeter. From A tier academics, to amazing sports, Exeter has it all. Topping it off, most of the faculty here hold a PHD or some sort of master's degree in their field, which leads to meaningful and impactful classroom conversations everyday. I came to Phillips Exeter as a Sophomore and my only regret is that I only got to spend three years here!... Read 320 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,074

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Concord, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  95 reviews

Parent: If you want a well-rounded high school experience, St. Paul's is the place to go. It is clear that the school genuinely cares about its students, faculty, and staff. They've done a lot of research on diversity programs and, consequently, have done a great job of building a friendly and inclusive environment. Teachers are also very receptive and genuinely concerned about their student's well-being and success. SPS has had the most impact on our son's life. He adores his school classmates, deans, and advisers. As parents, we couldn't ask for a better school for our son! We are so relieved we decided to go with St. Paul's!... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 530

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Meriden, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  55 reviews

Alum: Great school! The teachers are very kind and helpful, the student body is great, but the most important thing about KUA for me is the amazing community. Everyone is very nice, and the faculty really care about you. Pros: Sports and fitness are a big part of KUA for most, but there are smaller circles more focused on theater or STEM, or you can mix and match. Dorms are a bit old but ok, and the campus is beautiful! Academically it's a great place for really anyone (whether you're an athlete, academic, both or neither!), and they have many options for tutoring and writing help. The health center is absolutely AMAZING. I cannot overstate this enough. Don't hesitate to go there if you need any sort of medical/psychological help. They will do whatever they can, and trust me they are great at it. Cons: Food is iffy. I also was NOT a fan of the extreme COVID restrictions but that's over now. The bottom line: it's a fantastic community, and a really great place to spend your teen years.... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 340

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Dublin, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  56 reviews

Alum: Dublin School provided the most nurturing, challenging, and accepting environment for me during critical years of development. During my four years at Dublin, I was pushed academically, athletically, artistically and socially, while being acknowledged and respected for who I was. The entire community is incredibly welcoming. My strengths were built upon, and my weaknesses were met and addressed in a way that prepared me for the upcoming chapters of my life. In my opinion, the strongest attribute of the school is its size. I knew everyone on campus and the intimate classes allowed for impactful conversations, yet it was large enough to establish friendships with people that I could relate to on deeper levels. My Dublin friends are still my best friends, and I graduated over 14 years ago. Dublin is such a special place, and I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend there!... Read 56 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 169

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Holderness, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: The best part about Holderness School is the friendly and family like dynamic on campus. Everybody knows everyone, you are extremely close with your teachers and everyone always greets each other on the paths in between classes. I can't think of anything about the schools community I would like to see a change in. Though, I wish that the school had more artistic opportunities.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 300

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Bethlehem, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  24 reviews

Alum: I recently graduated from this amazing school and I am making my way to NYU in the fall. This is possible because of the culture made up by a diverse body of teachers, faculty, and especially the students who offer many perspectives. The academics allow you to engage with a small group of students to achieve a greater understanding of topics. The field course program is phenomenal and offers opportunities to visit many states and countries to further diversify one’s understanding of the world and themselves. I cannot tell you how many wonderful memories I’ve made here and I hope those coming here find a beautiful and accepting community with a plethora of opportunities for growth.... Read 24 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 140

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Manchester, NH•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  86 reviews

Parent: Our daughter is a sophomore and absolutely loves her teachers, classes, coaches, classmates, sports teams, music, singing, theatre and student leadership activities. It is an excellent, student- and community-centric school with an inclusive, positive culture. There is a morning, early and late afternoon bus to the seacoast and various other locations attracting students from NH and Mass. A wonderful school with really fantastic, caring teachers - most with masters and PhD's. The teachers and leaders of the school and the caring community they create are the reasons we are there. During covid, their caring, science-centric protocols were topnotch led by an epidemiologist. This is a very caring, positive school.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Andover, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  31 reviews

Alum: Incredible community. Supportive teachers, and totally worthwhile off campus opportunities. Wouldn't have wanted to spend high school in any other place.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 371

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• New Hampton, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  56 reviews

Alum: I had an amazing experience at New Hampton School. I was able to take advantage of the many opportunities the school had to offer, both academically and socially. I was able to play lacrosse and win three championships, which was an incredible experience. I also excelled in my classes and was able to take advantage of the many resources the school had to offer. I was also able to get involved in the community and do a lot of volunteer work. New Hampton School also prepared me for college. The teachers and staff were incredibly supportive and helped me to develop the skills I needed to be successful in college. I was able to take challenging classes and learn how to manage my time and prioritize my studies. I also had the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities and develop my leadership skills.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A

• Students 347

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Wolfeboro, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  36 reviews

Senior: i spent all four years of high school at Brewster Academy and I can honestly say it was the best experience of my life. The teachers and staff are so unbelievably inclusive in regards to learning capabilities and learning disabilities. You step on campus and every person you see says hello to you, it’s like you’ve been there your whole life. I would recommend this school to anybody. I was absolutely blessed to have the opportunity to spend high school on the beautiful campus, steps away from Lake Winnipesaukee.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A

• Students 331

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Tilton, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  66 reviews

Senior: My experience at Tilton School was one to remember! I had so many great memories, whether it was on the turf, the MARC, or in the dorms. As a student of Tilton I always felt comfortable with both the teachers and other students. The teachers were always there for me no matter what the problem was, if it was an academic problem they could help me solve it and if it was a personal problem they could also solve it! The teachers at Tilton felt more like friends and family than teachers, I was always able to go to a teacher or my advisor and be able to talk to them about anything and when I would come out of those conversations I always felt much better. The students at Tilton also made this place feel more like home. There aren't cliques or groups, which is awesome! I feel like everyone there was a friend of mine. I know that it can be hard going somewhere else as a student but I really felt like Tilton was my home away from home.... Read 66 reviews

• grade A

• Students 240

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Pike, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  14 reviews

Alum: Oliverian was the "place" that helped our son discover his "place" both in educational terms and on a personal level. Oliverian provided a safe, nurturing, harmonious, caring, authentic environment for our son to re-discover goals and self-interests like pursuing a college education, that had been on-hold to deal with Depression/Anxiety/OCD. Our son graduated Oliverian in 2020 and is now a USC freshman. The loving staff and teachers helped our son to learn coping skills, manage his mental well-being and regain confidence to pursue his academic goals and many life interests, even whilst navigating during his senior year at Oliverian in 2020, during the pandemic. Our son had fun times and new adventures at Oliverian. Our son was able to find his authentic and genuine "place" within himself, discovering inner peace; a true sense of comfort with who he is. Our son and family made special friendships and important connections and we consider ourselves lucky to be part of the Oli Family.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A

• Students 32

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Dover, NH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  138 reviews

Parent: PCA is a wonderful school community that nutures and challenges students at every grade level. Learning in an atmosphere that is based on and also teaches Christian values is building a strong foundation for our daughter to be able to grow in and handle our complicated secular world. PCA is focused on educating the whole person and helping them achieve their own God given potential. Lots of extracurricular options and sports, even in middle school! And parent voices and involvement matter and are encouraged here.... Read 138 reviews

• grade A

• Students 645

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Nashua, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  276 reviews

Senior: Overall, my experience at Bishop Guertin High School has been amazing, not only for furthering my academic knowledge but bringing me friendships with many that will last a lifetime. On the positive side of Bishop Guertin, the teachers are extremely knowledgeable and always have pushed me hard, no matter the subject, putting me in a far better place for my future than those attending public schools. In addition, I have always been held to a very high standard while at Bishop Guertin High School, which leads to the fact that I am well-prepared for my college years and all of my future endeavors. On the negative side of Bishop Guertin High School, there is almost too much homework and assessments as it becomes very overwhelming. Also, the teachers tend to put unnecessary stress on the students, which becomes exhausting. I personally would like to see the communication amongst the teachers be better and better security around the school, protecting the student population.... Read 276 reviews

• grade A

• Students 788

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Waterville Valley, NH•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  18 reviews

Alum: This a tight nit community, everyone knows everyone. You meet different and interesting backgrounds from everyone who attends with all have different motivations for their desired snow sport. This school is leading a new change in education, with stronger emphasis on classroom discussion, and students learning style will be adapted by the teacher. Students are on a schedule and are accounted for at all times. The staff is involved with students out of the classroom and caring for every student. WVA has had great success in getting students into great higher educational institutes, and students are well prepared for college life once the time comes.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Students 18

• Student-teacher ratio 1:1

• Manchester, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  166 reviews

Parent: Trinity has been a great experience for my family. My son has enjoyed his 4 years there and has excelled academically and socially. The staff and school do an tremendous job in preparing these students for college and be able to go out into the world and be successful. The challenging academics they offer really an realistic prep for what is to come for the next level. The athletics are great, he participated in golf and baseball, with supportive coaches and staff. Trinity creates a sense of belonging, being a small private school the staff and administrators help new students feel at ease when coming to a new school, my son was welcomed with open arms. The guidance staff is outstanding, they do a one on one walkthrough with each student it help them with there college essays and with ACT and SAT testing prep. The staff also helps the student search and prep for college interviews and scholarship opportunities. Over all my sons experience has been a great one, great school.... Read 166 reviews

• grade A

• Students 334

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Sunapee, NH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  21 reviews

Parent: My children have thrived at Mount Royal, academically and socially. The curriculum is impressive and they are going to be extremely prepared for college, they are reading things that I read in college in middle school! The culture is such a wonderful environment for children to grow and develop into good citizens.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 206

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Dover, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  173 reviews

Parent: A parent of students at Saint Thomas Aquinas high school. Could not be happier with academics, sports, and administration. Of, course, there is always room for improvement with the ever changing social and political landscape. I am confident STA is taking that challenge head on, and will remain successful.... Read 173 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 526

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Wilton, NH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  25 reviews

Alum: My parents, my siblings, my children & I all attended High Mowing. We have a deep love for the place and I want to tell you why. High Mowing is a great place to be yourself... It is a supportive community where young people can find their true selves without pressure to conform, while gaining a well-rounded education. On a beautiful 300-acre hilltop campus, the diverse student population has access to strong academic programs, fine arts, hand work, music, language, sports, naturalist, circus arts programs, & more. It's a transformative community of people, young & old, where all are valued & education is the mission. Like most schools, you get out of it what you put into it. While colleges love High Mowing students for their creativity & independent thinking, the unique experiential education prepares students for whatever path they may choose to follow. Alums include farmers & lawyers, artists & engineers, film makers & educators, bankers & Cirque du Soleil artists. Check it out!... Read 25 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 287

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Manchester, NH•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  24 reviews

Parent: Classic curriculum. Strong faith-based teaching. We have two children with different styles of learning and they are well accommodated. Small school. Tight knit community. Kindness pervades all aspects of life at this school; from teachers who care genuinely about their pupils mastering the subjects as well as applying the socratic method to debate and understand. The kids are well adjusted, kind, inclusive, confident and gracious. Multi-cultural, multi-racial mix. Everybody pitches in to make the school successful - parents as coaches, organizers, volunteers, board members, school leadership playing similar roles. Relaxed, tolerant environment. HFA feels like a different world than the lop-sided, oversensitive, angry and judgmental world we live in. A real breath of fresh air, if you want your child to be a child and learn for learnings' sake. Highly recommend it.... Read 24 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 95

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Concord, NH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: CCA offers is a loving community that challenges every student, k-12 to achieve their full potential both academically and athletically. But most importantly they invest heavily in the soul of every child in their care!... Read 37 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 318

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Candia, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: Our family highly recommends Jesse Remington and we see it as the best Christian high school option in southern New Hampshire. Two of our daughters have attended JRHS. This school has an amazing culture that is respectful, friendly, fun, and motivating. Opportunities to play sports and the "Outdoor Ed" programs are excellent and diverse. The academics are high-level and my graduate was well prepared for college. Teachers and staff are people that students look up to and are a wonderful Christian influence. This joyful and friendly Christian community is a blessing to our family.... Read 37 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 45

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Dublin, NH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.71 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: DCA has helped to further me not as just a person, but also as a believer in Christ. I have learned so much about God and his promises at this school. This school is excellent for anyone looking to be around other believers. This school's education is also very advanced. All in all, this school is an excellent choice for any student!... Read 17 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 174

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Concord, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  112 reviews

Senior: Bishop Brady is a small Roman Catholic high school in Concord, New Hampshire. As a fourth-year student at Brady, I am greatly pleased by my high school experience. The student body is around 300 kids which makes it easy to get to know all of the students in more of just a passing manner. The faculty and staff are incredible and are devoted to the three pillars which Brady is built upon; Leadership, Faith, and Service. The athletics of Brady (especially my senior year) are competitive and range from division 1 to division 4. A unique attribute of Brady is the number of fans that attend our female athletes' games! Brady also requires each student to complete 25 hours of service every year which amounts to 100,000 hours of service from the entire student body helping out our communities. Bishop Brady is home to many and is the reason I have so many opportunities for higher education.... Read 112 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 301

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Manchester, NH•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  24 reviews

Freshman: Mount Zion Christian Schools has been a large part of my life. I'm so glad I've been at this school for nine years and I really appreciate all the fun memories and close relationships I've obtained over the years. Mount Zion has an advanced teaching style which goes over the average. Classes are small, but that only increases the welcoming atmosphere. Everyone is friends with everyone. Teachers clearly care about their students and can have more focus on each individual. I find myself talking to teachers with more respect than I would with a teacher who just sees me as an everyday student. Teachers give their all for their students. The school has made many accommodations for me and my family. I follow a Messianic faith, which means I have food restrictions and I have certain holidays I have to take off of school for. They have been respectful towards that and I've never felt so uplifted in my life. Thank you, Mount Zion, for giving me such an amazing experience.... Read 24 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 150

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1