2022 Best Schools in America

• Andover, MA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  153 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 153 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 4.56 out of 5  162 reviews

Junior: As a day student who has also experienced boarding due to the Covid-19 Pandemic I would highly recommend Choate. Coming from a public middle school, Choate helped me transition into the fast paced life of boarding school and completely changed. the way I approach School. The harkness style of learning and small class sizes enables complex and engaging classes. With a huge course catalog there is a class for everyone. Choate's sprawling campus and commitment to continue to build new spaces makes the campus feel modernized. Although sports are very competitive there is a laid back approach for athletes and those who chose not to. On the weekend, Choate does offer activities but it is mostly up to the students to figure out what to do in regards to going into to town or what not. Overall, Choate in recent years has become more progressive in their teaching and curriculum and continues to adapt to the changing political spectrum of the US.... Read 162 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 373

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Groton, MA•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  48 reviews

Junior: I came to Groton as a student who had never truly been challenged in any capacity in the classroom. Needless to say, I have now been challenged. I continue to be challenged in schoolwork, sports, and in most other facets of life at Groton school. This is the kind of place where you grow; not in a slow, easy-going manner, you are pushed, hard. And yet that is something I had never experienced until I came here. Groton is able to combine extremely rigorous academics with brilliant teachers who make teaching their first priority. Coming from public school, I was shocked at how ready, not to mention excited, my teachers were to meet with me outside of class, discuss extra material, and even help with other subjects! The connections I have made with my teachers are extraordinary. I will be forever grateful to the Groton School for providing me with the opportunity of experiencing what it is like to enjoy learning, to enjoy being challenged, even to enjoy failure (there's been quite a bit).... Read 48 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 380

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Exeter, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  292 reviews

Alum: The most formative years of my life were spent at Exeter, four to be exact. The school gave the environment to discover who I really was and now am. It truly has been a family to me and now, 50 years later, it still feels that way. Over the intervening years I have served in multiple alumni capacities, from chairing local/regional associations to serving on the Board of Trustees. The school isn’t for everyone, but for those that are up for self-discovery at the highest levels, this is it!... Read 292 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 4.57 out of 5  60 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 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 967

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  76 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 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 768

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  155 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 155 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 4.35 out of 5  62 reviews

Alum: Riverdale is a great school, with a very welcoming community. Teachers are very friendly and can be very casual with students but still have the professionalism to lead classes well. Strong college resources, with a team dedicated only to college affairs and counseling, and maintaining the strong relationships Riverdale has with many top colleges across America. Strong in humanities classes, less so in STEM classes, but has a wide variety of topics to branch out and learn as Riverdale is not an AP or IB school. Rather they have their own honors system, but it is still applicable to college as they have strong connections with most colleges and Riverdale is well known for its academic rigor.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,219

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Lawrenceville, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  164 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 164 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

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• 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 1,694

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Hillsborough, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  46 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 46 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 539

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  140 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 140 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 532

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Concord, NH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  88 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 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 536

• 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 4.51 out of 5  59 reviews

Parent: Deerfield is a finely tuned machine with 225 years of practice educating some of the best CEOs, politicians and educators in the US. They have hands down the best facilities, teachers and admin and support staff you can find. The course rigor is off the charts, the teachers are engaged and love their students. The admin including college advisors and health professionals deeply care about both mental, emotional and physical well being of their students. The coaching staff is par excellent. Your child will never be bored. All school breaks have optional trips so you can be productive even as an an Int'l student that doesn't get to visit your family often. Some say the food is great, I think it's better than college dining hall food. During the COVID-19 pandemic, D.A. managed the crisis like world class health professionals. Like all boarding schools, there is always a little room for improvement. I would recommend more DEIA training and more $$$$$ support for the ARTS.... Read 59 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 658

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  27 reviews

Parent: My son joined Collegiate last Year as a seventh grader. The school is wonderful and it accommodate my son perfectly. The school assigned French and Music teachers for my son for the entire year since he didn’t have French or bass instrument before, at the end of the year he didn’t just catch up with the other kids but he also became proficient in both subjects and we couldn’t ask for more. On the other hand, the school environment and the parents are welcoming. As a family of color our experience of the diversity, inclusion, and belongings was excellent and our son fit perfectly at Collegiate.... Read 27 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 147

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• 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 938

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1