2024 Best Schools for STEM in Connecticut

• Wallingford, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  178 reviews

Alum: I was able to achieve so much as a high school student through the support of genuine, kind friends, encouraging teachers, and an incredibly welcoming community. The opportunity to involve yourself in so many different areas of study, as well as attempt new things without the fear of feeling unqualified was such a freeing experience, and one that many ever get to experience. Without a doubt, rigor and high achievement stress is always present, and several other factors play into creating an environment of pressure. However, Choate is a place that cares and works to improve.... Read 178 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 861

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Lakeville, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  90 reviews

Parent: Hotchkiss was an incredible experience for both of our children. The academics were certainly challenging, but the support of teachers and advisors made it all manageable. Both kids are now in college and found the transition to be minimal. Sports were important to both of our kids. For one, the sports media program was an incredible experience and for the other varsity sports were an incredible experience. Away from sports, the residential life program was amazing and both kids made friends for life. As a family, we often heard that Hotchkiss could be a pressure kicker, and while it is demanding, it is also a school that cares about its students and strives to have a thoughtful balance between hard work and fun. Hotchkiss was life changing for both of our kids and our family would strongly recommend the school.... Read 90 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 599

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Windsor, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  146 reviews

Freshman: I like the welcoming environment and sense of belonging from going to this school. Loomis’s emphasis on the Best Self and Common Good is present throughout the school‘s culture and social life, and hence the school is very open and accepting. The diversity at the school made me feel welcome and accepted, and Loomis’s programs to raise awareness for groups like the LGBTQ+ community were reaffirming and a nice action for National Coming Out Day. The school’s academic programs are beneficially challenging as well, with flexibility in advancing in courses such that students are able to take sufficiently challenging courses. The music, arts and after school activities all have an abundance of applicable resources. The Loomis Chaffee School is a great place for students who are willing to take initiative and seek resources to advance their learning and skills.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 736

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• New Haven, CT•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  88 reviews

Parent: Hopkins School is a very challenging academic environment. We have loved so many of the opportunities it has offered. Cultural trips, community service, social gatherings for students and parents. Athletically Hopkins does well in some sports not in others and the facilities while adequate are not up to the level of many of its competitors. The Arts are amazing! Drama and symphony and band all are amazing as are its Teachers. While the teachers are amazing and classes engaging. The curriculum is very tight and does not allow for a lot of exploration into various areas. I’d love to see this improve. Overall our experience even through Covid has been wonderful and we could not see our daughter anywhere else.... Read 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 715

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Watertown, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  77 reviews

Senior: Taft is a great school! The teachers are excellent, student life is decent, and there is definitely a lot of opportunities to take advantage of as a student from any year. Something I love about Taft is the amount of courses you get to pick from (including Global Online Academy) and also how much freedom you have as you become an upperclassman. Overall there is a lot of support and people are always trying to help you, academically and otherwise.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 580

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Westport, CT•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Senior: Pierrepont School is a wonderful place comprised of passionately curious students and ever-brilliant teachers.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 116

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  65 reviews

Alum: I have attended Greenwich Academy since PC (pre-connecting class) and I can honestly say I had a wonderful experience. Though I do not having anything to compare it to as a "lifer," my overall experience and its impact was positive. Greenwich Academy provided me with a close-knit community and a supportive environment to explore my interests and question the world around me. I am particularly appreciative of the faculty and staff as they were/are so kind, nurturing, and encouraging. Although I did have bad moments while attending this institution, such as dealing with immense anxiety and anorexia due to a culture of rigor and perceived socialital beauty standards, GA has and is currently addressing all issues surrounding mental health and really is trying to improve the culture to be safer and more sustainable for students.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 832

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Kent, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  115 reviews

Parent: Kent is an exceptional all-around school. Definitely ascending in reputation - has the right kind of mix between challenging academics, sports and extra curriculars. Kent has an impressive advisor program that helps guide students through their boarding school journey. Arguably, it has the prettiest setting among all the East Coast schools with a river that runs along the campus and a wonderful town that is literally a 5-min walk for students. Having the town of Kent so near definitely allows students more freedom and sets the school apart from many other boarding schools that are more secluded with no easy access to the real world. So glad that we chose Kent over the other great schools!... Read 115 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 520

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Farmington, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  124 reviews

Freshman: Really like the school’s atmosphere! It is such a warm and inclusive community. Nice people, close connections here. The academics is challenging but definitely not overwhelming. There are a lot of really fun traditions waiting for Newgs to explore which makes the school days super fun.... Read 124 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 335

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Pomfret, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  94 reviews

Parent: I’m so grateful for the exceptional education and overall experience that Pomfret School provided for my son. The school's commitment to nurturing individual growth and fostering a supportive community truly sets it apart. Pomfret’s small class size allows for personalized attention, and the diverse array of courses provides freedom to explore a wide range of subjects. This freedom helped to ignite my son’s curiosity and empowered him to pursue subjects of particular interest. The Arts Immersion program gave him the opportunity to explore his creativity and talents, then handpick courses that truly resonated with him. The tight-knit community created a warm and inclusive atmosphere, and the genuine connections formed with fellow students, faculty, and staff provided a strong support system. As a proud parent, I am thrilled to say that Pomfret not only prepared my son for success in college, but also instilled in him the skills, values, and passion needed to excel in life.... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Westport, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  90 reviews

Junior: Good academics. Not super diverse but a lot of progress made over past couple of years. Couple of strong sports programs. Amazing faculty. Teachers are super attentive, passionate, and will put in the time+effort. Clubs and extracurriculars aren't great but there are still opportunities. School culture is generally homogenous and preppy but there are people from all backgrounds. Nice and friendly community. Fitting is usually isn't too much of a problem.... Read 90 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 713

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Westport School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  237 reviews

Senior: The school overall is very high quality and many of the teachers are amazing and genuinely care about students. However, the student culture is very competitive with a heavy focus on enrollment at an elite college as the highest level of achievement. There is definitely a "Westport bubble" in what students here understand about their lives and their academics in the context of the rest of the nation, but the people here aren't necessarily bad. However, overall, Staples gives access to amazing resources (they invest a ton into extracurriculars such as the theater program, the music program, and the journalism program) and it's definitely a great place to go to school. There are also lots of school traditions, mostly surrounding Homecoming, and people have a healthy school spirit. I am very grateful for my time here. I would pick to go to Staples again if I was a freshman.... Read 237 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,714

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• New Canaan, CT•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.64 out of 5  209 reviews

Parent: My child transferred to SLS from a top public start of her sophomore year. Wow! Zero comparison. The teachers are so fully invested, the entire staff wants your child to be the best version of themselves. Just like with any new experience socially the student has to figure it out. The Advisors try to help with that transition as best they can but it really is up to the student to become involved and find they’re right fit. They all do. Pros: Academically, SLS is incredible. Sometimes the workload seems overwhelming. Just know the teachers will be very supportive. College Advisors are the best Teachers are excellent Cons: Sports teams should be more competitive... Read 209 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 603

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  199 reviews

Senior: The teachers at Darien High School are what truly made my experience a great one. Most of them are passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects, and they are available and willing to help the students however possible. DHS also offers a variety of different academic and extracurricular opportunities, including many AP classes, and activities ranging from a literary magazine and newspaper, and honor societies, to varsity sports. However, Darien High School also has an almost oppressively competitive atmosphere, so much so that it somewhat reduces the joy of learning in such a great school.... Read 199 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,422

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Suffield, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.73 out of 5  248 reviews

Senior: I've loved my time here at Suffield Academy! Of course there's been life's ups and deeds but Suffield' s students and faculty is so supportive. Campus is beautiful nd well maintained, inside and out. Classes are difficult, yet manageable. Teachers offer extra help and are always quick to respond!... Read 248 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 410

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Washington, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  97 reviews

Parent: Academics are solid and college prep-worthy but not aggressively competitive. The campus is utterly serene with nearby access to the village of Washington Depot, Steep Rock Preserve, Lake Waramaug and Mohawk Mountain Ski Area. Both lifelong athletes and newbies can partake in many sports and coaches are very encouraging for those new to their sports. The fantastic and encouraging dedicated Outdoor Programs Director leads fire pit evenings, hikes, rafting excursions, and overnight camping trips. A brilliant Head of Counseling helps oversee student mental health. Weekend programming includes an ever-changing rotation of on-campus and off-campus activities, e.g.; pumpkin-carving, goat meet-and-greets, movie nights, and shopping trips. Overall, the people are just plain nice - from the faculty to administration to students - and we believe our child is experiencing a safe, supportive and inspiring high school experience where she will make forever friends and learn vital life skills.... Read 97 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 325

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  15 reviews

Alum: I recently graduated GCDS in Spring of 2023 after having attended from 6th grade. GCDS has access to phenomenal facilities, teachers, and extra curriculars. Most of the teachers are really interested in building relationships with students. For instance, my junior and senior year I was able to do research for NASA, develop curriculum for the upper school, and interview prospective teachers, all while going abroad to Spain. Project base learning has its strengths and weaknesses. If you are super driven and willing to engage in the topics it can be fantastic, but otherwise you can pick classes that won't challenge you. Now a freshmen I definitely have felt prepared in terms of writing and my math abilities. Also the social life is awesome. There are close friend groups all over the school but the party scene outside of school extends to all of greenwich which makes it really fun. Around sports there is a ton of school spirit and people routinely attend our student section: "the zoo'.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,252

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Hamden, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  110 reviews

Senior: I'm about to start my senior year at Hamden Hall, and I am so glad that I decided to make the switch to start here in 9th grade. The classes are challenging yet rewarding, not to mention the perfect size, and I have formed so many great connections with teachers. It's so easy to get involved- sports are accessible to everyone, no matter what type you want, and there are tons of clubs with students creating new ones every year. I also love that it's a PreK-12 school; not only does it brighten my mood to see the youngest students on campus, but it provides so many great opportunities for Upper Schoolers to work with and mentor younger students. I also think college counseling started at the perfect time: not too early to cause stress, but not so late that I feel behind. Going into senior year, I think I'm at a perfect spot in terms of college preparedness and am well-informed about what the next several months will hold. I could not be happier with my choice to come to Hamden Hall!... Read 110 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 624

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Weston School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  156 reviews

Alum: Overall, it was a good experience being at the school. The school is very small so that means there were limited recourses but that doesn't mean I had a bad experience at the school. Overall I enjoyed my time there, I was a two-sport athlete, and it was fun being a part of those two organizations. The teachers were hit or miss, the high school math teacher was fantastic and was the best teacher I had. The class experience and variety were also good. There is a big agricultural part of Weston High School which could differ from even bigger schools due to the rural area the school is in. The school also gave me great scholarship opportunities and was able to help me out drastically in my first year of college. I would also like to mention that the staff at the school cares very much about the student body. I've had numerous teachers reach out to me during my freshman year of college to make sure I'm doing ok and that I'm still in school. I enjoyed my time there and had a good experience.... Read 156 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 760

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• New Canaan Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  195 reviews

Parent: I'm a parent of two current NCHS students. The academics are as rigorous as a private school, and the extracurriculars - in particular sports and theatre - are top notch. Teachers are attentive, and the guidance counselors are responsive. The reputation the school has for academics is a useful one with colleges. My one watch out is the lack of diversity which is really more of a town issue. Coming from NYC this is definitely missed, especially with regard to underrepresented groups.... Read 195 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,286

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Simsbury, CT•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  105 reviews

Senior: Senior here, and I loved my experience... mostly! Some teachers are better than others, but the majority of my teachers are intellectually engaging and really care about their students. The student body isn't particularly diverse, but there is an effort being made to mitigate that and to better support out BIPOC students. The best thing about Walker's is unquestionably the way that we've been encouraged to speak our minds and challenge the system. For this empowerment alone I have to recommend the school. Of course, there are downsides, administration can be stuck in its ways, and one often feels powerless to change our school. COVID management has been very successful and distance learning went as well as possible.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 228

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  87 reviews

Senior: This all-girls high school is renowned for its exceptional education and empowering atmosphere. Led by a faculty passionate about cultivating potential, this institution isn't just about academics; it's a launchpad for leadership and creativity. It's a melting pot of diversity, where each girl's uniqueness is celebrated and cherished. Beyond textbooks, it's a place where confidence blossoms, where young women develop not just intellect but also the resilience and skills to navigate the complexities of the world. It's a powerhouse that shapes confident, capable, and compassionate future leaders.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 729

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Simsbury, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  89 reviews

Parent: Westminster is a gem of a school for students & families who prioritize community, development of the "whole" individual, organic and authentic relationships, and the willingness to grow beyond stereotypical notions of "success" and "privilege". Westminster values relationships & the health of the student first and foremost. Westminster is intentional & thoughtful in the support structures it sets up for each student: teachers, advisors, administrators & student leaders available to guide each student and send the clear message: "Westminster will NOT give up on you!" Our children are very different in terms of academic interests & extracurricular pursuits, but at Westy, the both found what they needed to grow into amazing young adults with solid moral compasses. Their college choices reflected their Westy experience and they are now thriving in the world of higher ed. The tireless work of the Westminster "team" has been a true gift to our family. Definitely consider Westminster School!... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 435

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New London, CT•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  46 reviews

Freshman: Amazing School! Helped me find other people that share the same intrests as me. The people are so welcoming and nice to new students and I enjoy going to school there everyday!... Read 46 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 195

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Wilton Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  253 reviews

Senior: I believe that Wilton High School is an okay school. My personal experience is that many of the teachers and staff are very kind and easy to talk to, but some are a bit abrasive and not the greatest people in the world. I enjoy the community at Wilton High School, and I think that the academic life and student life are well-rounded and the classes are well-taught. I really like this school!... Read 253 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,219

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1