2023 Best Schools in New Haven

• Wallingford, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  169 reviews

Parent: Now that our son is a senior, I have actual experience to agree that Choate is the best school out there for our son. We are grateful for his continued growth as caring and kind young man, making life-long friends, with a solid academic foundation. Listening to his interests expand and develop in academic areas that we never expected really impressed us on how great Choate's teachers are engaging students to pursue their interests. In a conversation, our son said, "my friend xxx" and we didn't know who he was and asked which dorm he was in, and our son said, "he teaches." It was really wonderful to hear that he genuinely thinks some of his teachers are his friends. It makes a huge difference to have such mentors in boarding school. Not to mention, the community and environment is nurturing with good guidance for young adults in learning to make effective choices. In addition, he's an athlete committed to play D1 sports. These 4 years have been awesome.... Read 169 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 868

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New Haven, CT•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  83 reviews

Alum: I have loved my time attending Hopkins school and wouldn't trade it for the world. Parents who have ambitious and bright children may have found their match. Hopkins school's courses not only challenges the student, but introduces them to a new world of possibilities. I have made life long friends that I am still in touch with now. Hopkins is not just a "good school" it is an environment of gifted learners who, when leaving the community, are more than ready to face the challenges college brings. But aside the academics, they become part of a life long family. The warm welcome I felt first day of seventh grade, relieved all my stresses about a new school and ever since then, I have had a bright journey through my years at Hopkins. The multiple clubs and extra courses Hopkins gives students, opens doors for your kid to explore their passions. I would recommend this school if your kid appreciates a challenge and new opportunities. Lets go Hilltoppers!... Read 83 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 712

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Hamden, CT•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  104 reviews

Parent: My children attend & attended Hamden Hall. They have been phenomenally prepared for college and beyond! My children have been given access to educational & social diversity that is hardly available elsewhere. The tools to be successful in school & life are learned at every level at Hamden Hall. Diversity is encouraged enhanced, and supported! The school’s support of the Arts is without equal!... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 600

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Cheshire, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  128 reviews

Parent: Cheshire Academy has been absolutely wonderful for our children and our family. Our children are two very different students with very different needs. The CA teachers, staff and administrators go out of their way to know and understand each student and help him/her achieve academic success. My eldest was recruited by several other prestigious boarding schools, but once we visited CA we knew it was the absolute perfect fit for us. CA not only has rigorous academic programs, excellent sports and music/arts programs, its student body is ethnically, academically and socially diverse which was a very important factor for our family. We were not at all interested in sending our children to a school that felt like country club with little diversity. My younger child had more challenges to overcome than his older sister. CA went above and beyond supporting him academically and was instrumental in deeply developing his passion and talent for music. We couldn't be happier with CA!... Read 128 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 340

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Milford, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  173 reviews

Senior: I made the most of my experience with the school. There were things of the generic "high school experience" that I felt I missed out on like actual pep rallies and color runs and field trips. There are good and ok teachers but it's easy to get along with most of them. The work is hard but rewarding. Teachers are almost always available when you need them. Food is ok but pricy but the lunch ladies are absolute gems! But there's a large lack in diversity, I feel it's because of the high price tag but whatever.... Read 173 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 366

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Trumbull, CT•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  80 reviews

Parent: We would not want our daughter in any other place. CHS is not only preparing her academically, but is partnering with our family to help her grow into the young woman God has called her to be. CHS is not only concerned with what she knows, but who she is! The faculty and staff at CHS love the Lord and love the students. We know our daughter is a different person because of her time at CHS and the relationships she has built with both her peers and her teachers!... Read 80 reviews

• grade A

• Students 427

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Trumbull, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  253 reviews

Alum: St. Joes is a wonderful school filled with people who care. Teachers are willing to work with their students during and outside of scheduled hours, the guidance counselors help students towards their futures, and the staff work tirelessly to make the campus look absolutely beautiful. As an alumni, I was more than prepared for college after graduation. Currently, I am working on my Ph.D. and I credit SJ for teaching me the skills that allowed me to come this far! I always look forward to "Coming Home to Joe"!... Read 253 reviews

• grade A

• Students 780

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• West Haven, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  122 reviews

Junior: Notre Dame High school is truly a special place. As someone who has gone to five different schools, Notre Dame is by far the best one. What sets Notre Dame apart isn't its great academics or competitive sports, but its culture. Notre Dame is the only high school in the world where the entire building is just one large community of brothers. Every student knows each other, as well as the teachers at a personal level. We are all seeking improvement, excellence, and to make a difference. Walking into the building feels like walking into home. Above all, Notre Dame aims to create Notre Dame men, which are men who are compassionate, serving, hard-working, and competent. Each faculty member in the building understands this goal and guides students to it. Notre Dame has something to offer everyone, from sports to academics to even clubs, there is plenty of room for personalization and growth. Overall, the best way to describe Notre Dame is a supporting and caring family.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A

• Students 533

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• New Haven, CT•

• Public School•

• K-12

• grade A

• Students 774

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Hamden, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  220 reviews

Junior: Sacred Heart Academy has provided me with a spectacular education that had prepared me for the world, a welcoming community in which I have found my greatest friendships and support like no other. I have no regret in enrolling in Sacred Heart Academy for my high shool years!... Read 220 reviews

• grade A

• Students 398

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Fairfield, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  215 reviews

Parent: I am not going to sugar coat my review because it doesn't help a parent that is going to spend money to send their kid there; so here it goes. (1) The Distinguished Scholars Program and High Honor classes are very good. (2) The teachers are good and help kids when needed. (3) The general classes have much to be desired. Kids laugh about getting bad grades and spend a lot of time on their phones (TikTok, Snap Chat etc.) and it is hard to learn in those classes. Even if your child is a high honors kid or honors kid; they will attend certain classes with general kids. (Art, Religion). (4) A lot of kid's think everything is racist. They will label it on everything. (5) The women at ND that handles the admission process is the nicest and is very helpful. She is a pleasure to deal with and will make the process go smoothly. (6) The school needs to work on the character of these kids. Social skills, kindness = D!... Read 215 reviews

• grade A

• Students 504

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  93 reviews

Junior: The school is very clean and organized. It has the most recent technology available for schools, such as max books, Mac computers, google Chrome books, Projectors, etc. The food isn’t the best but it’s very clean. There are a lot of advanced classes and you can take classes at colleges or the neighboring college, University of New Haven. It’s very friendly and I enjoyed it!... Read 93 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 589

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• New Haven, CT•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  150 reviews

Senior: I can only speak on Amistad High School since that is the only one I attended. It was a great experience. It was academically challenging, but there was many places of support and the extracurriculars available here really brought the school culture together. I personally had great teachers throughout my time here, but I heard some people didn't have such a great experience. It's a great school since it prepares you for college quite well and as a Senior now I'm glad I got into my dream school.... Read 150 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,134

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Bridgeport School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  92 reviews

Alum: I liked the opportunities that were awarded to me in the Aerospace School at Fairchild. I was able to work 2 summer internships at Sikorsky Aircraft Company as a Aircraft Mechanic. I was also able to take a years worth of dual enrollment college courses which saved me a lot of money and stress in college, including but not limited to Calc 1-3, Physics 1&2, English 1&2, Chem & more! Lastly, in my senior year I worked on a capstone project that helped prepare me for my senior capstone project in college at Georgia Tech! The project based learning is a very valuable strategy that they use. I would recommend this school to anyone serious about higher learning.... Read 92 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 314

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: Great elementary school! Friendly teachers, good facilities, outstanding English-as-a-second-language program.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B

• Students 400

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Bridgeport School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  80 reviews

Alum: I loved my time at Fairchild honestly. Graduating as the 1st class with all 4 years because the school was brand new was such a unique high school experience that introduced us all to staff that treated us like we were their own kids. I'm sure it was quite the adjustment for the teachers who were teaching in a brand new high school for the first time, but honestly, you would've never known that they were new to this. They treated us and taught us so well and I've continued to take what they've taught me and add onto it as I dive into my career as a healthcare professional. I hope all of the younger students there now take advantage of everything this school has to offer.... Read 80 reviews

• grade B

• Students 382

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Bridgeport School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  72 reviews

Senior: A high school focusing on the manipulation of data. To me, it was a very much new experience, coming from a small private middle school with less than 60 students. Starting off as a freshman, I had no knowledge of the norm at a public high school or rather, the American society. I also lacked the knowledge of how a normal high school functions when it comes to turning in assignments, how schedules are managed, how the cafeteria worked, etc. It was quite harsh at the start, both academically and socially. But gradually, I adapted into such environment. I came to accept how great this school is. Being a multi-racial school, I did not have to experience discrimination or bullying. That is if I passed the requirements to be a potential victim. With great culture and people, Fairchild Wheeler is a school I recommend for people to go enroll.... Read 72 reviews

• grade B

• Students 374

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  79 reviews

Senior: The experience at Sound School is like no other. There is a different way of schooling at Sound, which is unlike the previous high school I attended before switching in grade 10. The teachers actually take time to make relations with the students. And the subjects that we learn on a daily bases are equipping us with knowledge that we will need to traverse the real world or what we would like to pursue as a career or job. Unlike most schools we spend a lot of time outside which for me was great stress reliever and also made me take pride in the community. I used to look forward everyday to go to school before Covid-19. Once in a blue moon you will here a high school student say ¨I love going to school¨ but I can safely say that at the Sound School every student had the same mentality. I get to experience hands with marine life and retain information about our ocean. There are many clubs available and there it is encouraged by teachers and students to join them.... Read 79 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 328

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  288 reviews

Senior: This school helps its students navigate a bustling environment that is alive with students' ambitions and creative ideas. Wilbur Cross is great for New Haven students--it offers the diversity of culture and backgrounds that our city is best known for. Like our city, however, our school community sometimes feels divided by academic standing, which separates racial groups at times. We may benefit from a critical look at our Advanced Placement and Honors programs so that all students feel that they have equal opportunity and potential to gain acceptance to top colleges and universities if they wish to. Overall, Wilbur Cross High School allows for any kind of student to be successful out in the world and there is a plethora of helpful and friendly staff.... Read 288 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,547

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  110 reviews

Senior: My overall review for New Haven Academy would be a ten out of 10. Starting with the academics. I love that no student is left behind. New Haven academy separates academics and responsibility up into two. Meaning academics is for test only. and responsibility is for class work and homework. So if your child is failing academically they can retake the test as many times as they wont as long as their responsibility grade is up to part. I also love the fact that they offer dual enrollment classes for students that want to experience the college experience in taking a class with local colleges. As far as diversity, New Haven Academy does a excellent job with including everyone. The staff is very understanding of their students, and if their is a problem or anything they are willing to be understanding to solve the issue. Or even provide context to those parents who are concerned. I wouldn't have picked any other high school to go too.... Read 110 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 297

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• New Haven, CT•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  32 reviews

Senior: Common Ground overall is a great school. The community is very open and diverse as many kids are from groups such as the LGBTQ+ community or under represented ethnic groups. I think that this makes the school very opening and comfortable especially since it is a small school. I also believe the staff are all amazing people and are there because they genuinely want to see their students succeed. There is a new administration staff that is significantly worse than the previous staff and I think it ruins the school community and does not represent at all what the students wants and needs are. I think that the curriculum and extra curricular opportunities are very limiting as well but due to the nature of a charter school, it something you have to expect when attending.... Read 32 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 235

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  41 reviews

Senior: It’s a small school, yes, but the opportunities within the school are endless! I am able to think of a project I want to accomplish and the school will be by my side the entire time. The teachers are great and the connections they make with students are ones you’ll remember for a lifetime. I love everything within the school besides the look of it. The outside of the school may be raggedy, but they say don’t judge a book by its cover, so definitely see what places are all about not just their appearance.... Read 41 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 278

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  325 reviews

Senior: Hill Regional Career High School focusses on achieving the best for its students and helping them build a career. At Career students must choose between a business or science major, to determine what specific classes one should take and the amount of credits needed to graduate. As a science major I have been able to learn about the business and science field. At Career I would like to see a third undecided major for students who don't know what they would want to do and create their own major of both health and business classes. I would also like to see my school have a half year college class for seniors, a required college class that will help seniors with FASFA, college applications, common app, and more. Students deserve full time help with their next big step in life after high school, college or not, and the school should provide enough help.... Read 325 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 652

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• New Haven School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  314 reviews

Alum: Overall attending Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School was a very unique experience to say the least. Going in and being able to focus on one art and come in everyday and exercise your passion allowed for students to mix creativity with knowledge. It is commonly noted that the creative mind and academics mold very well together and with this school you get just that. However, this school is not all fun and games. You are held to a high standard and expected to excel in your art because the staff knows you can. When you've completed all four years, you must finish a capstone much like college. You must focus in on one issue that is important to you and find how it intersects with your unique artistic expression. By once again joining art with intelligence, Cooperative Arts High School sets up its students to enter the world with practical tools to shape creative minds and succeed in society.... Read 314 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 571

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• East Haven School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  132 reviews

Junior: My experience at East Haven High School has been enjoyable. The administrators make a tremendous effort to meet with students and gather their opinions on school-related topics. The student relationships at school are very strong, especially when it comes to athletics. The students are all very supportive of each other. However, I feel the school can improve in terms of ensuring that teachers have understanding relationships with students. Sometimes I feel as though I am distant with my teachers and do not know nor feel as comfortable with them as much as I would like to.... Read 132 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 879

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1