2022 Best schools in America

• Andover, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  154 reviews

Alum: The great class of ‘75. We were the last class “de prepped “. We were two years apart and two years combined with Abbot. We met John Mason Kemper and carried on with “Doc” Sizer. We survived “Rinkydink” days and witnessed “Mother Phillips”. After all that, I’m totally jealous of what the students are offered and have available today. It’s awesome! And with “Need Blind” admission, who can compete! Go Big Blue!... Read 154 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,187

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Lakeville, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  83 reviews

Parent: Hotchkiss made a very generous financial aid offer that make selecting it a no brainer - so don't let the sticker price dissuade you from applying! Our "lower-mid" (10th grade) child has had a fantastic experience in her first few months, despite the Covid lockdowns. Of course the resources are fantastic, but what has especially impressed us as parents is the personal attention for our child from each of her teachers and deans. Go Bearcats!... Read 83 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 600

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Wallingford, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  163 reviews

Alum: I recently graduated after 4 years at Choate. Almost all of my former classmates disliked living at Choate, although I believe this was not a unique complaint about Choate but rather the boarding school lifestyle generally. Boarding schools are going to be as rigorous as you would expect, but the lack of freedom was generally the number 1 complaint. Needing to be in our dorms by 9:30 every night, having strictly set schedules which even included mandatory study periods, and having limited ability to leave the local town are a few examples. One of the biggest thing I experienced in my senior year was that getting into college from a top boarding school was nearly impossible. Me and all of my friends got rejected from every school unless we had an SAT at least 50 points above the average for the school. I did comparatively well in the college process, but I know people like my roommate who had a 1540 and didn’t get into a single school. Ps. Choate’s STEM ranking should be higher.... Read 163 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 868

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  84 reviews

Senior: I've absolutely loved my time at College-Prep. It's the perfect place for students to be challenged intellectually, yet it's in a safe and welcoming environment. In my experience, there isn't really a culture of competitiveness/cutthroat environment, but, as with everywhere you go, you'll undoubtedly find exceptions to the rule. College-Prep has been perfect for me and has been a place where I've succeeded. I've grown academically, socially, and emotionally, and I am forever grateful for the faculty, peers, and friends I have met along the way. We get a pretty bad rep for sports, but it's a great place to try out new sports! If you're not an athlete and you want to start a sport, everyone's super nice and there aren't many expectations haha. Still, we do have some teams that tend to do pretty well in league or you could always play club so def not a dealbreaker in my opinion!... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Groton, MA•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  63 reviews

Alum: At Groton, I feel that I have been able to become a more independent and conscientious person during my time at this school. The best thing about this school is the resources that it provides the students. Here, I feel that I can be whoever I like because the teachers, dorm parents, coaches, and community is supportive of everyone's quirks, interests, and dreams. The teachers are approachable and dedicated, and work hard to provide students with a positive experience and I have made some of the truest and most diverse background friends. However, while at my time here, I have noticed that there is a toxically competitive culture here. Moreover, sometimes it is hard to get leadership positions in clubs because one has to be "connected" or popular, and the unsafe hook-up culture NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! Overall, a great school, and despite the school's imperfections, I would not trade my experience at Groton for anything else in the world.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 380

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Exeter, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  298 reviews

Senior: Truly rigorous classes with students who have a wide range of interests. Nothing can beat a boarding school with a billion dollar endowment that they can use to fund your passion projects and overall academic experience. Living with your classmates in this tiny New Hampshire town really forces you to battle the chem tests and history essays as a team. I have met my best friends at Exeter—that's why our alumni network is so strong. You only stay at Exeter for 4 years but they stick with you. Yes, the academics are hard. If you're not looking for challenge then don't come to Exeter. No, it's not a school full of boring workaholics—we have fun too! Yes, there is wealth, but Exeter offers great financial aid and people are generally humble. And of course, Exeter >>>>> Andover. Our campus is prettier, the dorm system better, and I've heard our student body culture is way less toxic than theirs.... Read 298 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,085

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Dallas, TX•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  74 reviews

Parent: I have friends who are attending various private and public schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area from grades 5 on through 12. In sitting down with the other dads it is undoubtedly true that no school has done more to prepare post the outbreak of the pandemic then St Mark’s. Not only their children but their administration and teachers are out of this world! Not only did the school literally review replace hundreds of things across the campus, they’ve also implemented a fantastic screening program, testing program, and communications program for SARS-COVID19. I know that when selecting schools grades, scores and college admissions are the number one priority. I never thought I would pick a school based upon their ability to handle a medical global outbreak. The school has literally blown us away! We are thankful that our son is there and hope that other schools can use them as a benchmark going into the winter of the pandemic.... Read 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 863

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  74 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 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,001

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  61 reviews

Sophomore: Nueva is an amazing school! There are so many opportunities all just waiting for anyone who is motivated. There is a 230+ page course catalog and a wide range of extracurriculars to take your passions to the next level. The students are kind and cool (everyone's smart but not everyone's a nerd). There are fun social events like dances, coffeehouses, musical performances, sports games, spirit rallies, and more! Nueva provides excellent STEM education (humanities as well), and the teachers are genuinely interested in you and want you to succeed.... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 967

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  77 reviews

Parent: Brearley is a top notch, wonderful school! My 8-year-old daughter is thriving, happy and growing leaps and bounds every year. The Brearley community is warm, down to earth and diverse. The administration and the teachers will go above and beyond for your daughter and your family. While it has always been an academic powerhouse, it is also a school that encourages all of it's students to be creative and unique individuals, while learning to embrace Brearley's core values of "honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility and courage." We are lucky to be a part of the Brearley community.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 772

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  156 reviews

Junior: Throughout my five years at Harvard-Westlake, I have come to realize what a unique place it is. Anyone can find a path that suits them: regardless of whether you're a math superstar, a polyglot, or a talented thespian, there's something for everyone! With top-notch academics, incredible clubs and a dedicated student body, anyone can succeed and find their- so to speak- niche at HW.... Read 156 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,620

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Redwood City, CA•

• Online School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  155 reviews

Sophomore: Stanford OHS is a rigorous academic environment that promotes curiosity through every academic subject. The courses offered at the school are fascinating and so unique, especially the Core track classes (interdisciplinary courses) that are required for every full time student. The teachers have an amazing curriculum for every class, and a flipped classroom method helps classes be much more engaging and enjoyable. Students prepare before class with readings, homework, and bigger projects, and class time is used more as a discussion space for diving deeper into the material. The community at the school is also very good. All of my peers are so interested in our classes and excited to learn, which is something I’ve found very different from other schools. It is really refreshing to be around people who share my love of learning. Overall, OHS creates an amazing learning environment through every course.... Read 155 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 903

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  65 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 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,273

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Lawrenceville, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  165 reviews

Alum: I loved my three years there! I have had invaluable once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and experiences here and I have grown so much from my journey! Fair warning, it is pretty rigorous academically and, and especially a rather sharp learning curve if you enter after freshman year ,(I was a new sophomore) but, once you find or reach out to the necessary people, it'll make the adjustment so much easier. Though your schedule will most likely almost always be packed, that also means you have a plethora of opportunities to stretch and apply yourself, not just in fields that you cam into high school good at, but in new subject areas and co-curriculars you might have never even heard of before.... Read 165 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 822

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Palo Alto, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  57 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior at Castilleja, and I would never choose to attend another high school. When I first came, I was a little nervous as I had heard of Casti's reputation as rigorous and competitive. After four years, I have found that the academic rigor has only improved my experience and has never lead to competition between classmates. With sixty girls in one grade, it would seem that competition would be prevalent, especially during the college process. However, the community is one of care, and everyone at the school aims only to celebrate your achievements and encourage you to put forth your best work. Every single one of my classmates will become amazing women when they grow up, and Castilleja has been instrumental in developing our confidence, poise, ability to express ourselves, and compassion for others. Thank you Castilleja! My life is forever changed and I will bring the lessons you have taught me throughout the rest of my life.... Read 57 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  145 reviews

Alum: Horace Mann has developed to be more diverse, inclusive staff wise in recent years which makes the school experience much better. After recently graduating, I feel that HM has prepared me for the competitive nature of college and working. There are a few things that could have been improved when I was there (like a more diverse teaching staff, putting more focus on racial issues, etc.), but have since been focused and improved on!... Read 145 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,802

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  47 reviews

Freshman: Crystal has been one of the best schools I've ever been to! They have excellent teachers that are always there to help you, the academics are advanced and are made to put you one step ahead of everyone else. If you can come here, do it. It's an experience you won't regret.... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 569

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  141 reviews

Senior: Regis is not just a place for academic excellence, but a place where learning go hand-in-hand with personal development and a drive to be impactful. Peers are highly motivated and inspiring, while the dedication of teachers is obvious. I had an amazing experience, and now looking back as a senior all the hard work, long commutes and late nights were absolutely worth it. Regis has a culture where we are all highly supportive of each other and happy for each other's success. While everyone is highly driven, there is little competition amongst classmates because we understand that helping others make us better individually and collectively. While Regis won't have the excess of resources other NYC schools, the admin, teachers and students make the very most of prudently chosen opportunities. The full scholarship model has given me much greater appreciation of socioeconomic diversity and friendships that many would miss in other settings.... Read 141 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 532

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Concord, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  89 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 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 531

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• La Canada Flintridge, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  103 reviews

Parent: So far, so good. Son chose this school over other top schools because he liked the community there. Happy to report that he is loving school and the food and getting acclimated very well. The HS academics are challenging which is a plus but I never got the sense that he is stressed out. It is a healthy and manageable level for him but could be difficult if student is not used to the rigor. The teachers and admins are very supportive and available and most of the students are friendly, nice, and well rounded. We love the school so much that we are excitedly waiting to get our younger one there for 7th!... Read 103 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 530

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Dedham, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  51 reviews

Parent: Incredible school and culture of academics and athletics. Fantastic leadership and communication through ever changing scenarios of the pandemic. Our son, is happy, feels safe and thrives in an environment that encourages curiosity and inclusion.... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 614

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Deerfield, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  60 reviews

Alum: Amazing tight-knit community bonded by tradition in a gorgeous New England setting. Teachers go above and beyond to support student learning and growth. Students are generally are highly motivated, well-rounded and ambitious. They are well-prepared as they go on to attend the best colleges in the nation and become leaders in their career fields. The facilities and resources are among the best of any high school in the country. Students have a plethora of opportunities to engage with people of different backgrounds and to challenge themselves in and outside of the classroom. The Deerfield experience is top notch and one-of-a-kind. The friends I made at Deerfield are the best I’ve made in my life. As an alum, I’ve also found that our network and alumni resources are very strong.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 658

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  28 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 28 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 651

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Boston, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.82 out of 5  34 reviews

Parent: Commonwealth is wonderful! The faculty demand high academic rigor at the same time as giving the students all the support and scaffolding they need to reach their limits. All the adults in the school are extraordinarily attentive and approachable. The small size and the intellectual levels of the kids mean most of the classes are interactive and discussion based. The quality of attention in faculty and staff creates a mirror culture within the students as well. They are an accepting and collegial bunch.... Read 34 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 157

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Rye, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  97 reviews

Freshman: Rye Country Day School has helped me become a better person and has provided a great academical foundation for years to come. Though it can get stressful, with a lot of homework and extracurricular activities, RCDS is just awesome! The athletics are really good too and everyone is welcoming. There are many options for electives so you can pursue your interests. The food is pretty good too. It is a diverse community and a supportive environment!... Read 97 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 951

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1