2023 Best Schools in the New York City Area

• 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 4.36 out of 5  70 reviews

Senior: I have had a great RCS experience. I’ve been at Riverdale since 7th grade and truly met my favorite people, both students and teachers! I will miss the community so much, but am looking forward to the college experience, which Riverdale prepared me for so well.... Read 70 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 4.43 out of 5  148 reviews

Alum: It's hard to describe Regis in a short review, but since my graduation yesterday, I want to say a few words. If the sole reason of sending your child to Regis is so he can go to a high ranked college, look elsewhere. Like all places, Regis has negatives, but I can say with confidence that I don't regret attending. Sometimes the administration annoyed me, notably when trying too hard to be "politically correct", but it's not a huge complaint. Stories about academic difficulty hold true, but this reputation is not as extreme as often seen. Most classes require significant effort, and a few are very demanding, but a good amount are smooth sailing. The quality of teaching is fantastic. Some of the teachers I've learned from were some of the greatest people I've known. Socially, there's a place for everyone in this welcoming community, no matter your background. If you're a student who takes school seriously, consider applying. You don't have to be perfect, and you'll make friends for life.... Read 148 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

• Basking Ridge, NJ•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  144 reviews

Senior: Pingry has been most impactful in its ability to show me the value of community during each individual's highs and lows in life. The Pingry community has always wrapped its arms around me during both my greatest triumphs and biggest struggles, which has been instrumental in helping me succeed. I would say the quality that Pingry has nurtured most within me is the drive or enthusiasm to continue learning and be curious in all of my pursuits. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the studio, both students and faculty work to push one another to our greatest heights in order to continue pursuing all of our goals. I believe Pingry has also helped me further develop my collaboration and interpersonal skills, which are crucial no matter what field of study.... Read 144 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,197

• 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 4.64 out of 5  104 reviews

Other: A warm and welcoming community where each student is valued and given tools to excel! Beautiful and well maintained new athletics center. The historic mansions, which host the academic classrooms, maintain both the history of the neighborhood while still leaving room for technological and practical advancements to engage students in learning!... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 699

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Livingston, NJ•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  128 reviews

Middle School Student: As a student who goes to Newark Academy, there are many things about NA that you won’t find at any other school. This school has an amazing community where students and teachers are able to have a good relationship. The Equity and Inclusion team makes sure that you belong and that others understand you. The arts program is wonderful and has a variety of things for everyone. The academics go beyond the books and are very hands on. I would recommend this school to anyone in the area who cares about their child and wants them to have a good future!... Read 128 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 674

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• 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

• Rye, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  100 reviews

Parent: All around great experience. Very flexible curriculum that allows you to do as much as you want, teachers were fantastic and encouraged seeking help as well as enthusiastically supported independent studies. Supportive peers even when there could have been competition - we did not have any issues where kids were being privileged brats - but our child was academically focused and had a close knit group of 25+ students who studied, played sports, pursued other interests and didn’t really party heavily. Has increasingly become more diverse and celebrates diversity in a genuine manner and our child felt empowered to represent our culture and heritage. College counseling was above and beyond any expectations we had - the level of effort and support was incredible and overall outcomes also seem to be pretty strong.... Read 100 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 951

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Monmouth County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  105 reviews

Senior: Choosing this high school was one of the best decisions of my life! From amazing teachers to peers that support and get along with each other, High Technology High School provided me with the best possible high school experience I could have asked for. The academics are rigorous but manageable, and the clubs provide great opportunities to meet and become friends with others who share your interests. The hour long lunch in the middle of every day is a perfect time to get some extra studying done as well as generally hanging out with friends. I have met so many great people by going to this school, and I believe that I changed for the better having gone here over my home high school. There are people from every walk of life and by going to this school I was able to learn so much, not just from academics but also from my fellow students.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 295

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• 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 710

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  82 reviews

Parent: My kids have both been at Dalton since kindergarten, and it has been a great experience. They have had some incredible teachers, who care about their students and know them well. The Lab system (which allows students to meet with their teachers one-on-one during free periods) is really impactful on many levels. The social studies/history and chess curriculum seem especially strong starting in the lower grades, and as kids get older the engineering/STEM fields (and arts) seem to really strengthen and be favored by the kids. But there are really so many opportunities at Dalton -- there is so much for the students to explore, and they can really pursue many different interests quite deeply.... Read 82 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,314

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Morris County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  39 reviews

Alum: The best experience I could have possibly had in high school. Great teachers, resources, facilities, and most importantly, people. I met people here I'll never forget. At first, the schoolwork was difficult and I thought I might not be able to stay, but the community helped me get through it. I was able to thrive at AMSE thanks to that same community and would recommend it for anyone interested in STEM in the future!... Read 39 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 182

• Student-teacher ratio —

• New York City Geographic District No. 10, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,030 reviews

Parent: Excellent academics, almost every AP possible offered, lots of students taking post AP classes. Large school (~2800 kids), but brilliant student body with a wide range of interests and passions. This is the school where one can find high performing athletes with interests in performing arts and computers science or biology or math or physics or engineering. As one of the Specialized high school of the city, students come from all boroughs, making a 2-4 hours daily commute a regular part their 4-year high school journey. Very large number of clubs, sports, student activities. Teachers and administrators are top notch and dedicated. Perfect? Of course not, as it is after all a public school, but the Alumni foundation and the Parent Association are extremely active and generous both with time and resources to make up for what the Dept of Education budget does not cover. Go Wolverines!... Read 1,030 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,937

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Morristown, NJ•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  126 reviews

Sophomore: Love it! It is just the best. I am a current sophomore here and I cannot help but note how amazing the staff, students, and all people involved in Delbarton are!... Read 126 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 648

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 2, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,126 reviews

Junior: Stuyvesant High School is extremely rigorous, and the experience is super different from any other school in New York City, even other specialized high schools. However, the Stuy community is also unlike any other, and despite the difficult and college-level classes, the school provides a large array of materials and resources to ensure that students can preform to their best ability. Not everyone is going to be happy at Stuy, and I think a genuine love for learning and education is really important so as not to get overwhelmed here. However, if you want to challenge yourself, I think Stuyvesant is the best school in the city. If I would change one thing about Stuyvesant it would definitely be the diversity. The school is over seventy percent Asian, and a lot of other ethnic groups don't get an equal opportunity at getting in. However, a great many diverse groups are represented in the school's clubs and organizations, and the school is making an active effort to be more inclusive.... Read 1,126 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,304

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• 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  115 reviews

Freshman: Overall, Avenues is a good school that has amazing teachers. Our teachers are always here for us, both academically and socially, and our deans are supportive. Overall, the academic experience leans more towards ELA than STEM; however, both are very strong, and there are many electives that can provide further academic fulfillment. Students are encouraged to pursue their own passions, and they have the full support of their academic advisors. Further, the Mastery Learning System (MLS) at Avenues provides self-driven, motivated students an opportunity to create their own projects that address the core curriculum one would learn in their academic year.... Read 115 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,686

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Bergen County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  548 reviews

Sophomore: When I first entered BCA, I was nervous about the rumored difficult courses and being in a new environment. Over time, I've grown to love the community here, its teachers, and the opportunities given to its students. My friend group is very supportive, and I've met so many people that I wouldn't have in my regular town high school.... Read 548 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,118

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Englewood, NJ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  64 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 64 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 947

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  103 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 103 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 814

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 31, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  771 reviews

Junior: You will be exposed to a multitude of resources during your time here and welcomed into a great community! While this school may not be for those unwilling to take on a rigorous academic experience, you will certainly be given the choices to take easier classes. The courseload can demanding at times, but most teachers are reasonable as long as you communicate with them. Ultimately, Tech will offer you many things to enhance and enrich your high school experience, but it is up to YOU to take advantage, whether that be through an internship, mentorship, sport, club, SING, etc.... Read 771 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,336

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  131 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 131 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 768

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1