2023 Best Schools in Connecticut

• Wallingford, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  177 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 177 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 868

• 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

• New Haven, CT•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  86 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 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 715

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Windsor, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  145 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 145 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 736

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 784

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Pomfret, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  92 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 92 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Stamford, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: King combines academic excellence with an amazing focus on the development of each child. The teachers are not just highly-educated themselves, but genuinely care about their students and inspire them to become curious and continue learning. At King, students do not just learn a fixed curriculum. They also learn to do research, present their findings, collaborate, help each other. They learn lifelong skills and kindness. One needs to experience King in order to appreciate its true value. An outsider tends to look at the curriculum and compare it to public school, then tries to judge. King will do more and more and millions of times better. What is taught will be broader, deeper and more meaningful at King. The students will learn to think, explore and combine different disciplines so well that their skills will be unmatched. Every children in the nation will (hopefully) learn to read, write and do basic math. But King students will thrive - this is the big difference and great value!... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 709

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Suffield, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.74 out of 5  246 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 246 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 410

• 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 153

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  59 reviews

Parent: We have had two boys go through the school starting in pre-K. We are stunned, absolutely stunned by the academic rigor of the school. It is very easy to (sort of) for a school to identify top level 8th graders and see them graduate at the top of the class. It is far harder to identify outstanding 5 year olds. What we have seen at Brunswick is that the top end of the school academically is vastly over represented by those who entered in the early years. To me, that says that the education is excellent. I am also completely stunned that anyone would suggest that the academics of the school is not top notch and that children would be better off going to a boarding school. No school is for everyone, but if academics is a parent’s top priority, Brunswick should be a strong consideration.... Read 59 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,044

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Simsbury, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  87 reviews

Parent: As an alum of Westminster, I was open to the possibility of sending our 2 children to the school. First, we were interested to learn more about how the schools' curriculum, faculty and extracurricular activities have evolved over the years to keep pace with the ever-changing world. I was invited up to the school to engage in an in-depth multi-day look into the inner workings of the school and its future goals (under new leadership in Elaine White). I was pleased with its direction and strides it has made to ensure all children have a positive experience at the school. Of course, there is always more work that can be done to keep pace with the diversity of the student population (and its families), but I believe they are on the right path! I'm proud of my alma Mata.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 435

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Hamden, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  109 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 109 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 624

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Westport, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  87 reviews

Senior: I am a rising senior this year at Greens Farms Academy and I came into the school as a sophomore. Even though COVID definitely impacted my experience, the teachers were more than exceptional when it came to stepping up to the challenge. The academics at the school are definitely rigorous, but the teacher's involvement after school helps out a lot for students having trouble. The community is also very welcoming and I would recommend it if you're looking for a school to go to in Fairfield county!... Read 87 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 713

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• New Canaan, CT•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  210 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 210 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 603

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Salisbury, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  79 reviews

Parent: Our son went to a great public high school for freshman and sophomore year and is an honor student. He always wanted to go to prep school and he is an avid hockey and lacrosse player. He is now in his first year at Salisbury and is repeating his sophomore year. He cannot be happier with his decision and obviously that makes us as parents extremely happy. Coincidentally, we could not have picked a better time due to Covid. He is actually going to classes and having a real high school experience as opposed to if he had still been home at his former High School being subject to almost 100% online classes and no competitive sports. Overall Salisbury gets five stars for all the work they put in to make our sons experience in high school educationally, athletically, and as a gentleman, something that will no doubt have him continue to achieve high standards when he goes to college and throughout his entire life.... Read 79 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 310

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• West Hartford, CT•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  60 reviews

Parent: All three of my children attended Kingswood Oxford for all 7 years of middle school and high school, and I couldn't be happier with their experiences there! From the caring teachers and advisors, to the coaches, to the support services, I always felt that my children were "safe" - no one slips through the cracks at KO. Additionally, the facilities are beautiful, and my kids loved the food options served in the dining hall! Aside from the quality education and life-long friendships they made, all three have mentioned at one point or another that one of the greatest skills they emerged with was the ability to write and to put a research paper together. They noticed that some of their friends at college often struggled with this, and they all felt confident about it; KO requires that all of their seniors complete a Senior Thesis project before graduating, and this really strengthened the already strong writing and research skills the kids had developed during their time at the school.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 501

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Middlebury, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  81 reviews

Alum: I graduated from Westover roughly ten years ago. I continue to reflect fondly on my experience and am thankful that my four years at Westover provided me with the tools to excel in college, graduate school, and in my professional career. The strong sense of community that one feels as student persists outside of our small campus. The friendships live on well past graduation day. Westover students have a unique passion, eagerness, and strength to challenge societal norms with the intention of bettering our communities.... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 184

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Westport School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  235 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 235 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,714

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• New Canaan Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  192 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 192 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,286

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Washington, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.81 out of 5  93 reviews

Freshman: The experience of this school is surreal, the friends and people you meet are just insane! I have met my some of the best people I will ever meet, they have been such a great add on to my life and honestly they are extremely important in my life! I cannot recommend this school anymore then I already do.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 325

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New London, CT•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  41 reviews

Senior: Great teachers with wonderful experience! Excellent education environment and challenges, good options for clubs and excellent sports curriculum. Would recommend considering applications to the Williams School in New London, CT.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 195

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Avon, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  260 reviews

Parent: Avon Old Farms (AOF) provides outstanding education for boys in a caring community. Every person who works at AOF "gets" boys and wants them to be their best, to try things, to discover new parts of themselves, to achieve academically, and to reach their potential. Boys love AOF and truly experience the brotherhood that is the school's philosophy of the school community. There is always something happening on campus that is fun, including excellent sports. Communication between the school and parents is very strong with mutual trust and regard.... Read 260 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 406

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1