2023 Best Private Schools in Manhattan

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  76 reviews

Junior: My overall school experience has been very positive! The teachers(with 1 or 2 exceptions) and academics have been outstanding so far, and it seems like I can do whatever I put my mind to here. There are plenty of options for clubs, and plenty of motivated students who participate in them. When I first entered the school, I thought a lot of the students would be aloof trust-fund kids. However, for the majority of students, that thankfully doesn't hold true. My only 2 complaints are: 1)the math curriculum, which for me is too repetitive and not challenging enough; and 2)the behavior of the administration(especially during covid), which can be paternalistic at times.... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,001

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: I am parent whose children attend Riverdale Country School. The River Campus is such a warm and welcoming space for the younger children. At the Lower School, they create an environment where children are encouraged to explore and experiment, appreciate nature, and develop a true love of learning. My children enjoy school and are excited to attend everyday - as a parent, that means the world to me. My eldest child is now on the Hill Campus. The Upper School, offers students a challenging academic environment and many opportunities to get involved in their school community. I have found the teachers to be supportive yet have high expectations and encourage the students to reach their full potential. Our entire family has found community at Riverdale, it is truly an incredible place.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,273

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  78 reviews

Parent: My daughter has been at Brearley since kindergarten and we have had a wonderful experience throughout the years. She is now in high school and I can say that Brearley has really helped her develop academically as well as socially. The academics ramps up dramatically in upper school but the school generally prepares the students well in middle school to handle the increased workload. Because the classes are fairly small, the students develop a sense of agency about their own learning and by high school they are very adept at exploring their own interests and engaging with the teachers. Finally, I cannot say enough good things about how Brearley handled COVID. Brearley was one of the first private schools to return to in-person classes and they were incredible about following all available guidance. It made a world of difference this past year for my daughter to at least be able to go to class with other girls in her grade. We feel lucky to be a Brearley family!... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 772

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  145 reviews

Freshman: As a current frosh at Regis High School, it is extraordinary. Regis is a Catholic high school for young men with a reputation for being one of the best education environments in the country while having a substantial history of placing many of its students into highly competitive colleges. The admissions process is challenging due to Regis's adroitness and demands its best from its students. The curriculum requires students' concentration and management of themselves and their time to thrive while promoting independence. The jump from middle school to high school was an impactful transition that left me in a shell-shocked state for some time as I was out of my comfort zone. However, the helpfulness and accessibility of the faculty and the kindness of the student body allowed that panicking moment of change to become a beautiful moment of growth. Not even a year has elapsed, yet I am thankful for my acceptance and decision to attend this school.... Read 145 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 532

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  148 reviews

Alum: The school is excellent in every regard except for the student culture. Everyone is extremely nice and there haven't been any problems with bullying, but it comes at the cost of near complete grade-centrism. Grades are so important that, in many cases, comprehension and enjoyment of the subject falls second. It creates tension and competition, and I'm pretty sure the stress took more than a few years off my life. Still, I've loved attending here and from my parent's perspective, the administration was unbelievably organized and generally very responsive to issues. Also, if you're interested in engineering like I was during high school, there were only two classes with engineering in the name. To make up I joined one of the (several) robotics teams and took all the math, physics and compsci classes I could, which were excellent, but it's a noticeable hole in the school's diverse curriculum.... Read 148 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,802

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  30 reviews

Alum: Coming in the eighth grade from public school in Greenwich Ct it was a bit of a shock. But the five years there were better experience than college. And it was a personal heaven for me in a big city. I don’t contribute to many requesters but there is always enough for Collegiate School. If I had son again and lived in NYC, that where he would go. As the song goes “…to Collegiate always be true.” Jack Anthony ‘64... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 651

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  94 reviews

Junior: Girls at Sacred Heart are friendly and supportive. There are some cliques that form but the majority of people are welcoming. Sacred Heart has also worked to increase diversity over the past several years, so I have a great group of diverse friends. There are also a lot of clubs and athletics to join which makes it easy to make friends. Sacred Heart is a catholic school and they do emphasize service and the school goals, which focus on personal responsibility and having the self confidence to make good decisions. The academics are strong, so there is a lot of homework, which can be a challenge. If I were to change one thing it would be for the administration to be more receptive and responsive to the student government. But, my time at Sacred Heart has been incredible and I will miss it when I graduate!... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 699

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  30 reviews

Senior: I have gone to Spence my entire life and I am so grateful for that experience! I definitely enjoyed high school the most out of my 13 years there because of the opportunities, teachers, friends and unique learning experience. I feel close to all the staff and administration there and I truly believe that they want to help you succeed.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 751

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  51 reviews

Parent: The Nightingale-Bamford School was the BEST decision! Our daughter started Kindergarten two years ago during the middle of the pandemic and we felt SO blessed and grateful for the BEST decision. Nightingale's leadership, core values and strong community helped demonstrate some of the key strengths of the school. Our daughter loves her school, teachers and friends, loves to read and learn and demonstrates tremendous pride which is the greatest gift. We can understand why she loves going to school since the teachers are so committed and joyful. We also appreciate as parents the rich and thoughtful curriculum and how the teachers across the Lower School, Middle School and Upper School take the time to share their curriculum, their thinking, their collaboration across the faculty community with the entire parent community throughout the year. Our daughter loves science, "doing research", music, reading...all thanks to Nightingale!... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 692

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  82 reviews

Junior: I love my teachers and have great friends, so I'd say overall Dalton's been pretty good to me. If you take advantage of the lab structure it can really help you succeed and make you both a better student and a better learner. And there are a ton of clubs and extracurriculars that are usually well funded and allow any type of student to find a social group. As well, there's generally a friendly and open vibe in the hallways and classrooms. However, I would say that Dalton has many of the same issues you will find in New York private schools. It's a pressure cooker. Students take on far too much work. Mental health is a big problem even if the Health department tries to address it. The cliques are real and rampant, even if you don't notice at first. And the school often prioritizes certain types of academic success over others. But if you want to go to a school like Dalton, then from my perspective it's one of the best.... Read 82 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,322

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  93 reviews

Parent: If you are looking for a school that will help form future leaders of the world, look no further. The school educates the kids to think openly and creatively and approach the world in a sensitive way. They come out speaking 2 languages fluently and many others comfortably. The school is a community for the families and everybody knows each other. You can sense the warmth and love between the members of the community that are diverse religiously and ethnically. It's a wonderful place!... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,161

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  111 reviews

Parent: I have an education and developmental psychology background and my husband and I are blown away with the school. Both of my boys are in the nursery program and their growth, development and the unique and brilliant teaching methods are astounding. They teachers are extremely hands on, resourceful, provide weekly updates and pictures and videos and provide a harmonious balance between play based learning and age-appropriate academic rigor. We are very impressed with what the children are actively doing in the classroom and all of the interesting ways they are learning. We are so grateful to be part of this school!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,686

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Englewood, NJ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  63 reviews

Freshman: I've been here since the seventh grade. I'm gonna be totally honest, it's an incredibly expensive school and my family is a high donor. Unlike in my previous school, teachers are connected. It's not one of those seemingly universalized experiences where its 50/50 about teachers caring. More like 80/20, and that 20 still have their charms. Though the student body are what really pulls it together. The makeup of the school is split down the middle between preppy party kids (that have their qualities) and the other half of the nicest, most motivated kids you'll ever meet. Though its middle/high school. There's drama. Its not always fun. The administration has some fundamental flaws. In that it seems as though they care more about their endowment then their students. Facilities is slow to accommodate, still no NB bathrooms, nor gym accommodations, nor trans accessible binaried bathrooms. Anyhow I love my school 8.4/10!... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 947

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  88 reviews

Parent: We love how nurturing Chapin has been for our daughter. She's finishing up third grade and absolutely adores the school, her teachers, and her classmates. She particularly appreciates library time and is eager to start using the middle school library next year. It's great having Carl Schurz park across the street, as the girls get many opportunities to play outside with their friends. The overall Chapin community is quite welcoming, and it's so nice to see how girls from all years know one another and say hi with a friendly smile when they see each other around the neighborhood. Chapin as a school has been very transparent, with regular detailed communications about whatever is going on. In particular, they've handled COVID with minimal disruption, with regular testing, tracing, and communications to the parent body. Suffice it to say, we love Chapin and are so pleased to have our daughter attending school there!... Read 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 814

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  130 reviews

Parent: As a lifer at Marymount, I am very sad to see my daughter graduate! It has been a wonderful experience. Academically, my daughter received an excellent education allowing her to excel. She was admitted to many prestigious colleges with significant merit scholarships. But more importantly, Marymount played a large role in making my daughter the woman she is today. She is well rounded in academics, sports and cultural events, but she is also exceedingly polite, helpful and cooperative.... Read 130 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 768

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  53 reviews

Parent: My son was accepted at all the top schools in the city, and he chose Browning hands down. A large part of his rationality is how rigorous the curriculum is, but the biggest influence is how much fun he had during his tour. My wife and I are happy with his choice, particularly after we spoke with current parents and after we attended the Speaker Series. We love how small school is with only 35 boys per grade! The after school programs are excellent. Our son is working towards becoming an Eagle Scout outside of school and he finds enough time to fit it all in. Browning is excellent in fostering independence and self-advocacy. In addition, developing their diversity and inclusion practices have been an impressive endeavor particularly after over 100 years of tradition. Browning is focused on school's mission of nurturing boys and their surrounding community so they thrive in whatever they choose to take on in the future.... Read 53 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 399

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  38 reviews

Senior: More than just a school: above all, a home. Fourteen floors of chaotically creative people, students, teachers and faculty alike. From the age of six I was taught to constantly question and challenge everything, that play rehearsals were more important than that physics test. I have learned to self motivate without competing with classmates and to treat every essay I write with the respect and eloquence of a novel. I have made puppets, written a twenty-page paper on the history of martial arts, and hypothesized whether sweet flavors are more commonly synesthetically assigned to major chords. Keep in mind that this environment in addition to being incredibly fruitful both creatively and academically, it can be perceived as a rose-colored, six-foot thick bubble, protecting its students from harsh realities beyond its walls. In my last year, I have come to see Saint Ann's for all of its flaws and strengths. Thank you!... Read 38 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,085

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  42 reviews

Parent: I can’t say enough good things about BASIS Independent Brooklyn! Our 4 year old is in the PK-1 program at their new school location (405 Gold Street) and he’s blossoming! Caring and awesome teachers. Very thorough communication from the admin. A rock solid parent community! A great curriculum that offers a diversity of skills-building challenges (literacy, math, yoga, movement, theater, science, social emotional learning, Mandarin, just to name a few!) A plethora of after-school activities. Great location (next to a Target & Trader Joe’s). Same rigorous education but $20K cheaper than Poly Prep/Saint Ann’s etc. We met some amazing friends through this school and our son is so happy to go to school every day! In Pre-K 1 (3’s program), our son is already doing sight words and he’s staring to read simple words. The school really fosters a curiosity for learning, civic duty awareness, kindness development and a community of like-minded parent community! I can’t be happier!... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 869

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  101 reviews

Freshman: Overall, going to Poly Prep Country Day School has been an interesting experience. The teachers are very kind and passionate about teaching students, always willing to go the extra mile to help teach students. They also are very responsive to special requests to attend to whatever a student needs. The school has many good programs, such as the Debate/Speech team and athletics department. The school is also very resourceful and very willing to adapt to people's needs, especially in the times of Corvid-19. The school has testing every week, allowed the option for kids to go either in school/fully virtual, and was very proactive in everything it did. Of course, it's not the perfect school. For example, the general STEM academics are not particularly amazing. Furthermore, there are kids that come in and care very little for the academics and have a generally poor effect on the school environment. Nonetheless, Poly Prep is an outstanding school with minor drawbacks.... Read 101 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,156

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  85 reviews

Parent: Fieldston is an overall excellent school, challenging academics, competitive athletics, strong arts and musics. Fieldston is dedicated to incorporating its mission-driven and values oriented philosophy into all aspects of the curriculum and the way it operates. The facilities are outstanding, having sports fields right on campus is a huge advantage over other NYC schools, a large portion of the student body participates in athletics and there is a strong culture around the idea of being a true student-athlete. It is common for the students to stay after school to root on the athletic teams. The administration, students and parents all buy in to the importance of making all students feel welcome and the school tries hard to incorporate and live by its ideals. Fieldston students are exceptionally well prepared for college, both academically and socially. Students learn to read and think critically and to communicate effectively.... Read 85 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 990

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  123 reviews

Junior: I have loved attending Packer Collegiate Institute for the past three years. The kids are really hardworking but truly want to be there and support one another. The classes can be challenging but there are endless amounts of support and teachers always make themselves available for their students. There is also such a strong sense of community and school spirit, whether the school sends a fan bus for the girl’s Varsity soccer team’s playoff game, or the Pratt theater is filled with support during dance concert and other student led musical performances. Overall, Packer is a rigorous but collaborative environment where I have grown so much as both a student and a person. I will forever cherish the memories I have made here and I will keep with me the essential skills I have learned for life.... Read 123 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 998

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  94 reviews

Parent: We joined UNIS for 6th grade right in the middle of the pandemic. Our daughter was excited about it but her experience has exceeded her expectations and for us, as parents, it's been a seamless, joyful journey. Students come from very diverse backgrounds with the same academic ambition which creates a nice blend of personalities, skills and talents. Teachers are dedicated to the success of the students, offering 1:1 when needed, taking a very individualized approach so everybody feels included and listened to. While the virtual set up might have been a challenge, the level of professionalism and consistency over the months has helped tremendously. Our 6th grader did not have the joy to experience the in person connection with the full classroom until April, yet she definitely received a best in class academic education. I really like this school and I have recommended it to many parents since we started. No regret move!... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,452

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.49 out of 5  84 reviews

Parent: When choosing a school for our daughter, it was important for us for the school to be committed to diversity and creating well-rounded, emotionally healthy students. We wanted to balance giving them an excellent education while avoiding a pressure cooker environment or Gossip Girl-style culture. It was a tall order, but Hewitt fit the bill and we ended up choosing the school over a higher ranked girls school. The head of school, Tara Christie Kinsey, has a strong and compelling vision for changing the way girls are educated. I wish I had attended a school like Hewitt growing up! Our daughter is thriving in lower school. She loves art class and technology in particular. With only 12 girls in her class, she gets plenty of individualized attention from her teachers. I truly feel like Hewitt is a hidden gem!... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 475

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  76 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed my time at Berkeley Carroll. I am a lifer at the school, and my time is all three divisions was/has been memorable and enjoyable. Lower School was fun and enjoyable---but it also sparked a lifelong love of learning and writing. BC's middle school offered a welcome contrast to the pop-culture understanding that the years between 5th and 8th grade are a tortuous nightmare; BC administrators and teachers nipped drama and conflict in the bud. The Upper School has been extremely rigorous, but I have also deepened friendships and met classmates from a diversity of backgrounds. As my time at the school draws to a close, the friends I made, and the passion of my teachers will stick with me for a lifetime. BC's distinctive Science research program, English & history electives, and American Studies course have prepared me for college and life post-grad. I learned how to write personal essays, review scientific literature, conduct rigorous research, and think critically... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 970

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  39 reviews

Junior: I very much love the school I go to and have been privileged to attend since 7th grade on a generous scholarship. My teachers are my favorite part: the maximum class size is 16, so the individual attention students get is critical to learning and understanding material. They are also available and flexible with their schedules to help the student as much as they can. With clubs and activities, students can join a myriad of different options or, if they want, just create their own! I'm in a bunch myself and it's awesome to be around other kids with similar interests. The facilities are first-rate and always kept fresh and updated. The administration runs the school very well and there is not much I can complain about, honestly.... Read 39 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,287

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1