2019 Best Schools in New Haven CountyAbout this List

Choate Rosemary Hall

• Private School
• Wallingford, CT
• 9-12
• 110

Alum: There is so much to love about Choate. The faculty and administrators are deeply invested in educating well-rounded, world citizens who are prepared to enter any industry or academic discipline. From sports to Model UN to the performing arts, everyone has school pride!

My only critique is that the competitive nature of the school culture can be overwhelming for young students - but there are classmates, teachers, and academic or health counselors who are always ready to lend a helping hand.

Go Choate!
Read 110 Reviews

• A+

• 859 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Hopkins School

• Private School
• New Haven, CT
• 7-12
• 57

Sophomore: I can’t believe Hopkins is behind Choate! In my opinion Hopkins has the most rigorous academic program while offering good athletics as well. The environment is great and the teachers are amazing! If I could do it again I would still choose Hopkins over Choate
Read 57 Reviews

• A+

• 715 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Hamden Hall Country Day School

• Private School
• Hamden, CT
• PK, K-12
• 73

Junior: This is a great school with amazing faculty and students. It doesn't have a longer history or snobbish vibe that other private schools have in the area and yet it continues to have a stellar reputation. It has the best college office in the area with counselors who actually worked in administration in major universities. Almost everything about this school is wonderful, however, it can improve on many things too. It's currently being run by a headmaster who is economically republican while the majority of the students and faculty are on the liberal spectrum. This causes slight drifts between parents, faculty, and administration.
On another hand, the school is expanding every year and improving their facilities at a reasonable rate.
I loved my time at this school and would highly recommend it to people who don't really know what they want to do in life because this school really has it all. From a fantastic football team to a stellar theatre department this school really has it all.
Read 73 Reviews

• A+

• 580 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Westover School

• Private School
• Middlebury, CT
• 9-12
• 58

Parent: The school environment is warm and welcoming, many traditions carried over throughout the years. Student body includes varied nationalities and those with diverse socioeconomic differences. Overall, a cohesive family environment where both boarders and day students interact together. Fabulous support and very small classes. Teachers and staff are very invested. Beautiful location! Student body support for sports, plays, music & the arts.
Read 58 Reviews

• A+

• 200 Students
• 3:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Amity Regional High School

• Amity Regional School District No. 5, CT
• 9-12
• 316

Senior: The academics at Amity are very rigorous, and I've heard from those who have graduated from Amity and are already in college that they felt Amity prepared them well for the college workload. However, particularly in the higher-level classes, there can be a sense of competition among students to do better than each other. There is a warped perception of what failing is, as many students find a B unacceptable for them.
Additionally, although there are lots of extracurricular clubs at Amity, it can be difficult getting involved later on in your high school career. It is imperative that freshmen establish themselves right off the bat at Amity or else it can be difficult to seize opportunities later on.
Read 316 Reviews

• A+

• 1,486 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cheshire Academy

• Private School
• Cheshire, CT
• 9-12
• 47

Senior: Cheshire Academy is like my second home. Freshman year, I attended a public school, which I was not happy at. I didn't have many friends, teachers didn't care, and I felt like a number in a big crowd. At CA, it is the complete opposite.
When I first started, I was afraid I would not fit in because it's a prep school, but I was proved wrong. The school is extremely diverse as it has students from 33 different countries! With all the different cultures coming together, people are forced to be more accepting.
I have amazing teachers who want nothing but to help me succeed and are always willing to help if I am ever struggling. Last year for my final exam, my math teacher spent three hours helping me study! I am never afraid to ask questions or go to any of them with my personal problems.
I give lots of credit to CA for who I am today as I have become so much more outgoing and happy. I am never afraid to be myself and I now know how to be more successful in life.
Read 47 Reviews

• A+

• 362 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chase Collegiate School

• Private School
• Waterbury, CT
• PK, K-12
• 55

Parent: Chase has been a school in transition over the past couple years- but it is still the same great community and since the York group entered the picture nothing really has changed for students or faculty, which is great. The teachers love the students and the same beliefs remain. I know many people say it has deteriorated but the school was having trouble financially and York is saving the school. People are saying the Head changed her name but ...she got married and changed it. Students and faculty love this school and it is an amazing place to be. Embrace change ..rather than trying to hurt the school with accurate information. I encourage you to visit and see for yourself!!!!!
Read 55 Reviews

• A+

• 276 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Brass City Charter School

• Public School
• Waterbury, CT
• PK, K-3

• A+

• 186 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Daniel Hand High School

• Madison School District, CT
• 9-12
• 204

Senior: My experience at Daniel Hand has been overall a good time. There is a wide variety of class options and I truly believe that anyone can find something they like here. There is also a range of difficulty levels for classes. It's very accommodating for students who struggle academically as well as those who want a rigorous course load. Not only does it offer many options for classes, but Hand also has numerous clubs that can fit anyone's interests. Whether someone has an artistic or musical talent, wants to volunteer in the community, or even just wants to make some friends in a social club, there is a club for everyone! There are lots of music groups, art clubs, and even a video game club. But if that's not enough, you can join one of the many sports teams. At Hand, students take pride in athletics and many times are successful in winning regional or even state level competitions. Clearly, Daniel Hand has something for everyone and I am glad to have spent my high school years there.
Read 204 Reviews

• A+

• 1,164 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Academy of Our Lady of Mercy - Lauralton Hall

• Private School
• Milford, CT
• 9-12
• 143

Senior: Intensely challenging--but not competitive. Each girl strives for perfection in the most rigorous of classes, but no one wants success at anyone else's expense. I would describe it like a sorority in the way that we're all sisters--except, no partying lol. Outside of school, everyone has their individual interests that they pursue--most of us play sports, and then it varies person to person whether their on the Engineering Team, Debate Team, theater, Youth and Government, etc. Community service is huge here. The goal is to make you great intellectually and morally.
Read 143 Reviews

• A+

• 465 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Amity Middle School: Bethany

• Amity Regional School District No. 5, CT
• 7-8
• 1

Senior: Amity Middle School Bethany was a great two years for me. It brought two towns together, so we were able to meet new people. There are two teams for each grade. While I did not meet all the teachers - the teachers I had were fantastic! Great school to spend your 7th and 8th grade!
Read 1 Review

• A

• 383 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Kathleen H. Ryerson Elementary School

• Madison School District, CT
• K-4

• A

• 229 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Amity Middle School: Orange

• Amity Regional School District No. 5, CT
• 7-8

• A

• 375 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Melissa Jones School

• Guilford Public Schools, CT
• K-4
• 1

Parent: We joined Melissa Jones mid school year in 2016 and the transition was amazingly smooth. We were warmly welcomed by the office, principal, teachers and staff. The teachers are wonderful and communication is great from the classroom, office and PTO.

MJS has small class sizes and works hard at academics in a nurturing, mindful way while incorporating social-emotional education as well.

The PTO is great too! Tons of parent involvement at the school and enough opportunity for anyone who wants to help!
Read 1 Review

• A

• 321 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Guilford High School

• Guilford Public Schools, CT
• 9-12
• 173

Alum: Guilford High School is a competitive environment with a strong focus on academic success. The school offers a variety of classes in different areas with a range of levels. GHS guides students to take rigorous classes while also staying involved in extracurricular activities and community service. Overall, GHS prepares you adequately for college, but you must also teach yourself to learn independently.
Read 173 Reviews

• A

• 1,083 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School

• Madison School District, CT
• K-4

• A

• 338 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sacred Heart Academy

• Private School
• Hamden, CT
• 9-12
• 162

Senior: Sacred Heart Academy is an excellent Catholic School. It is a college prep school, it prepares us for college and beyond. The teachers and staff are very nice and helpful towards all of the students. Also, the school is welcoming to everyone of all races and religions. I have attended Sacred Heart all four years of my high school career and I am so grateful to have attended here. The school has strong morals that push all the girls to be the best they can and to be excelsior woman. Many alums come back to the school and say that their freshman year of college was a breeze because they had already learned the skills to study from Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart Academy is a great school to consider!
Read 162 Reviews

• A

• 504 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Calvin Leete School

• Guilford Public Schools, CT
• K-4

• A

• 254 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Beecher Road School

• Public School
• Woodbridge, CT
• PK, K-6
• 1

• A

• 771 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

E. C. Adams Middle School

• Guilford Public Schools, CT
• 7-8
• 6

• A

• 552 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Notre Dame High School

• Private School
• West Haven, CT
• 9-12
• 87

Senior: I love the brotherhood shown at Notre Dame, everyone is very close and no one is excluded. The teachers and the school work may be hard, but if you go to th teachers, they will do everything and anything they can to help better you for the next level. If anything needs to change it is the food. Personally, I think one of the strongest aspects of Notre Dame is the English program. The English program is very tough, but the teachers are so good at explaining and influencing you to think outside of the box. I have had papers where i have been completely lost, but after asking questions and seeing the teacher after class, everything was clear as day and the paper was a much easier to write.
Read 87 Reviews

• A

• 586 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Guilford Lakes School

• Guilford Public Schools, CT
• PK, K-4

• A

• 322 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chapman School

• Cheshire Public Schools, CT
• K-6

• A

• 344 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Island Avenue Elementary School

• Madison School District, CT
• K-4
• 1

• A

• 268 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Highland School

• Cheshire Public Schools, CT
• K-6

• A

• 751 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio