2023 Best Schools in Darien

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  64 reviews

Alum: I absolutely loved my academic experience at Greenwich Academy. The faculty are incredible and really want to help their students. I have formed such close friendships with my teachers over the years and I already miss them! The reason why I gave GA 4 stars and not 5 is because the social life at GA is very tough. If you do not fit the Greenwich stereotype, it's very hard to "fit in" at the school. I will say, however, that it does get easier in high school by a long shot. If you're looking for a top-tier education and are willing to struggle a bit socially, GA will prepare you for college and beyond.... Read 64 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 784

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Stamford, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  66 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 66 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 725

• 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 4.11 out of 5  54 reviews

Alum: I went to Brunswick for 7.5 years. I didn't realize until long after graduation how many important lessons were passed on to the students about life, society, and how the world works. I left mid-year of my own volition and the school was very supportive. I transferred to a boarding school that specialized in winter sports because I was moving onto the international circuit. Brunswick, due to it's location, couldn't accommodate my needs. When I was there the school had lots of good teachers but struggled to recruit new highly talented teachers outside of its own alumni. Athletes were doted on and while the academics were high caliber, they are not comparable to Andover, Exeter, etc. Philips has been head of school for far too long. He is personable, capable, and a skilled fundraiser but he lacks interest in developing a more comprehensive academic plan.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 984

• 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 4.61 out of 5  201 reviews

Parent: St. Luke's has been an exceptional experience for our kids. They have truly thrived in a balanced fashion with excellent academics, extracurricular offerings at a place where it is 'cool' to do well in the classroom, on the field, in the theater, chess, etc. Additionally, St. Luke's is an incredibly warm place that is focused on well being. We all love going there and never want to leave!... Read 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 591

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  199 reviews

Senior: The teachers at Darien High School are what truly made my experience a great one. Most of them are passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects, and they are available and willing to help the students however possible. DHS also offers a variety of different academic and extracurricular opportunities, including many AP classes, and activities ranging from a literary magazine and newspaper, and honor societies, to varsity sports. However, Darien High School also has an almost oppressively competitive atmosphere, so much so that it somewhat reduces the joy of learning in such a great school.... Read 199 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,382

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.36 out of 5  14 reviews

Middle School Student: well, I exist here for three years, and so I think I have a pretty good understanding of the middle school. The only annoying thing is that we don't have clubs, and everything is pretty, well, extremely white.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,143

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• PK, K-5

• grade A+

• Students 434

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Fairfield, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  129 reviews

Parent: My son is a senior at Fairfield Prep. I believe he has received the best education he could have had over the past four years. Prep continually impresses me with the learning environment they have created for students. The teachers are creative, outgoing, highly educated, and genuinely care about the students' overall well-being. The experience my son had on the sports teams and in the classroom at Prep far exceeded my expectations. Even through the time when Covid kept my son out of the physical classroom, the learning experience my son had was seamless and robust. As my son gets ready to graduate, I have no doubt that the education he received at Fairfield Prep has prepared him for college. Without hesitation, I highly recommend you consider sending your son to Prep.... Read 129 reviews

• grade A

• Students 812

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 433

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: The school is absolutely amazing. It is one of the best academically preforming schools in Connecticut, and has great teachers.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 429

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 445

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Stamford, CT•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: I absolutely loved spire, I went there after my public school as a way to transition into college. Which to say the least they prepared me for college. I never had teachers care so much about me as a student, and they helped me get scholarships to almost every school I got into. The class were interesting and engaging . The students were friendly and kind. The social workers inspired me to show up every day and work on myself, and the groups they held were helpful to improve my executive function skills.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 23

• Student-teacher ratio 1:1

• Darien School District, CT•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: As a new parent to this school, the staff, PTO, and families were all so welcoming and warm. Having gone to a private school myself, I can say that Royle feels like a private school with its small size and nurturing environment. The new principal (2016-17) is great and I have high hopes for his tenure. The English and writing curriculum are strong. Music, language, and arts are all built into the curriculum, and each child has access to Chrome Books and are taught how to use them properly. Overall we are happy with our choice to be in the Royle School.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 387

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Stamford, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: We cannot believe how lucky we are that our family ended up living in Stamford, with our kids attending Bi-Cultural. It is literally the best balance of warm/nurturing and academic rigor. Students in this school are HAPPY, well-adjusted children who learn good values and care about one another. Students in the school are also set up for major success! It's absolutely incredible how well these kids do on standardize tests and in national tournaments. The teachers are fantastic and provide true individualized attention. There is a wonderful love of Judaism and strong passion for Israel that come through daily as well. It is a really amazing school!... Read 6 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 335

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  13 reviews

Senior: Overall, I loved my time at GCDS. The faculty and staff are amazing and are always willing to help students at any point in time. This attitude from teachers is more prevalent in middle school compared to high school, though the HS teachers are still very helpful and genuinely want students to succeed in their classes. The quality of the food at GCDS is excellent and nutritious; there are always a lot of options to choose from. Although there are a lot of positive aspects, improvements can definitely be made, specifically with the not-very-diverse student body. The school's diversity slightly improved in the latest high school. However, more changes need to be implemented to make the school more diversified and less uniform in ideology and belief. Additionally, the college counseling office should offer more support to first-gen incoming college students (scholarships, etc) Despite the flaws, I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to study here and make life-long friends.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,252

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Wilton, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  8 reviews

Parent: This is a truly special place. My 3 year old twins started in the infant class, then went to Toddler, and began Primary (pre-school) in September 2019. Honestly, as a new mom, I had no idea what kind of expectation I could or should have for early education. The Montessori School shocked me with what I could expect of an "out-of-home" environment - it truly raises the bar. The investment every teacher puts into each child is amazing, the setting is so peaceful, and my kids are thrilled to go to school and do their "work" every day. The teachers are also highly educated (degrees in education and special certification in Montessori). I'd encourage every parent to visit and observe a classroom - it's incredible to see such young children being so independent, and the teachers and environment are purpose-built to encourage self-sufficiency and to engage young minds.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 127

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Stamford, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: My son has been at Mead since Kindergarten, he’s in 5th grade now. My daughter is in second grade (she started in Pre-K. Having been a Kindergarten teacher myself in the past, I can be pretty critical of teachers and educational practices. I can honestly say that Mead gets progressive education right. My kids LOVE going to school, love to read, love to learn, and have grown so much confidence over their time at Mead. The teaching staff are the most dedicated, kind, hard working teachers I’ve ever seen. They KNOW my kids; what they need, how they learn, when they need support and when they need encouragement. I can’t imagine a safer place for them. Furthermore, the facilities are beautiful! They make good use of the incredible outdoor spaces. I love the mixed age groups, my kids can play with toddlers and work with middle schoolers alike. And most importantly, everyone is welcome here. You can feel it. Every kid deserves this kind of youth and education.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A

• Students 92

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• New Canaan, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-9

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  41 reviews

Parent: We weren't sure we would choose private school since we have great public schools in New Canaan, but NCCS' program was so impressive, we made the decision to send our oldest at 3 yo and we've never looked back. When it was time to make the decision for our daughter, we felt we needed to give her the gift we gave our son. The teachers KNOW your child, and the blend NCCS gives of academics, social-emotional learning, arts, sports just can't be matched these days. The campus, community and resources are unbelievable. Years later as we consider high school my son excels in academics, athletics, woodshop, maker and public speaking, and my daughter is excelling in academics, violin, drawing and trying a new sport for the first time. Beyond the traditional curriculum, the electives in art, music, sports and the afterschool program are unbelieveable and we've taken full advantage! Our children will graduate NCCS having formed best friends for life and with the best foundation we can imagine.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A

• Students 566

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Fairfield, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  18 reviews

Parent: I'm reading these reviews and honestly, not sure what school they are talking about. Not St. Thomas. It has to be more than a coincidence that most of these negative reviews were submitted on the same exact date. Bullying? Are you kidding? STA was just voted The Kindest School in America! I have 4 children in STA (boys and girls) and they LOVE it! Go spend some time in STA...the kids are so nice, so respectful, the classes are so well organized. And the academics are tough! My 5th graders have 3 hrs of homework a night! If you want all the benefits of a private school at a tremendous value, STA is worth checking out. There are some good points that they don't have real sports fields and a lot of technology, but if that is what you need go spend $50k per kid per year at Greens Farms Academy. (Most kids are on town or travel sports anyways...). But if you want great academics in a loving atmosphere with terrific parents, STA could be for you. We really, really love it.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Students 278

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Norwalk, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: The TEACHERS are the reasons to send your kids here -- Our kids were at All Saints from Kindergarten through 8th Grade, and we were all very happy. The teachers really "know" the kids - they push them to excel, they help them through struggles (both academic and social), and they help teach the kids how to be good people. The teachers care about how the kids are doing outside of school - we trusted them implicitly. Sure, there are hiccups along the way, but after 9 years for each of them at All Saints, our kids are thriving in high school, placing into Honors classes, and well-prepared both academically and socially.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 493

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: My kids have been at Whitby from the primary years on and I have one graduating from 8th grade and another starting Upper School (Middle School) next year and could not be more happy with the education they have gotten. They have flourished both as learners and as human beings in their ability to think critically, problem solve and self-reflect. The brilliant melding of Montessori and IB and the devoted and skilled faculty at the school creates the perfect school for the 21st century. The Upper School (grades 5-8) is a particular gem with small classes sizes, excellent differentiated math program, advanced design classes and project based learning that gives them the competence and confidence to come out of 8th grade prepared for any high school of their choosing. I feel lucky that we found Whitby and that my kids have had the opportunity to have this school form the foundation of their life-long journey of learning!... Read 11 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 299

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: We chose Greenwich Catholic for our son because of its reputation for academic excellence and instilling traditional, Christian values in children at an early age. Suffice it to say that our expectations have been exceeded. We are also impressed with the style of teaching. Students are taught to be critical thinkers. Specifically, the school focuses on teaching students 'how to think' and not 'what to think'. We believe that this critical element in early education has been lost in some other schools where the focus has been more on the indoctrination of a liberal dogma where critical thinking is discouraged.... Read 4 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 362

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Greenwich, CT•

• Private School•

• K-9

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: With Dyslexia and CAPD, my son entered 6th grade as a non-reader effecting every level of his academics and significantly impacting his self-esteem. He spent 4 amazing years at EHS progressing to an 8th grade reading level. His self-esteem greatly improved and he gained the freedom that reading gives you. This carried over to Math, Writing, Spelling and Speech and his belief that he could accomplish his goals. EHS utilizes research based programs and tailors a program for each student's needs. They group students into small class groups based on similar learning styles. Students are required to participate in after school activities with EHS teachers coaching and running activities; giving students the opportunity to work on communication and social skills with those who understands their needs. The life changing tools that my son gained at EHS carried over to H.S. and now he is aware of his learning needs and advocates for himself. EHS was life changing and we are forever grateful.... Read 3 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 265

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1