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New York 20 Best K-12 Private Schools for 2025-26
Choosing the right private K–12 school can shape a child's future. This guide spotlights 20 standout schools—anchored in New York and benchmarked against top peers nationwide—so families can compare tuition, size, programs, and Ivy+ outcomes to find the best fit.
What Defines a Top Private K-12 School in New York
In this curated list for 2025–26, New York's leading private schools feature enrollments from 600 to 1,800, tuition from $50,000–$70,000, and student–teacher ratios as low as 5:1. Most report 100% four-year college matriculation with strong Ivy+ outcomes. From Manhattan icons like Brearley, Spence, Chapin, Trinity, Dalton, and Horace Mann to suburban leaders like Rye Country Day and Riverdale, each profile highlights values, tuition, extracurriculars, and college placements—helping families compare options and find the best fit.
Schools Covered In This Article
- Riverdale Country School (Bronx, NY; Co-ed)
- The Pingry School (Basking Ridge & Short Hills, NJ; Co-ed)
- The Brearley School (Manhattan, NY; Girls)
- The Nueva School (Hillsborough & San Mateo, CA; Co-ed)
- St. John's School (Houston, TX; Co-ed)
- The Chapin School (Manhattan, NY; Girls)
- Rye Country Day School (Rye, NY; Co-ed)
- Horace Mann School (Bronx, NY; Co-ed)
- Trinity School (Manhattan, NY; Co-ed)
- St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas, TX; Boys)
- Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC; Co-ed; Quaker)
- American Heritage Schools, Broward Campus (Plantation, FL; Co-ed)
- The Dalton School (Manhattan, NY; Co-ed)
- The Spence School (Manhattan, NY; Girls)
- The Quarry Lane School (Dublin, CA; Co-ed)
- Ethical Culture Fieldston School (Bronx & Manhattan, NY; Co-ed)
- BASIS Independent McLean (McLean, VA; Co-ed)
- Avenues: The World School (Manhattan, NY; Co-ed)
- The Village School (Houston, TX; Co-ed)
- BASIS Independent Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY; Co-ed)
2025–26 Tuition Comparison
| Ranking | School | Enrollment | Tuition (2025–26) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverdale Country School | 1,300 | $59,412 (Total ~$69,300) | Ivy Prep League, 70+ teams |
| 2 | The Brearley School | 770 | $66,800 | Strong Ivy+ matriculation |
| 3 | The Chapin School | 810 | $68,250 (+$2,000 laptop fee) | Ivy+ placements; AAIS league |
| 4 | Rye Country Day School | 969 | PK–4: $50,675; 5–8: $53,400; 9–12: $57,350 | 68 athletic teams |
| 5 | Horace Mann School | ~1,790 | $65,370 | Ivy Prep League; 90+ clubs |
| 6 | Trinity School | 1,052 | $69,000 | Founded 1709; one of oldest schools |
| 7 | The Dalton School | 1,330 | $67,480 | Ivy League feeder reputation |
| 8 | The Spence School | 804 | $68,480 | 100% matriculation, Ivy+ |
| 9 | Ethical Culture Fieldston School | 1,700+ | $68,162 | Progressive, ethics-centered |
| 10 | Avenues: The World School | 1,980 | $72,300 | Global exchange programs |
| 11 | BASIS Independent Brooklyn | 600+ | PreK $39,100; K $39,500; 1–12 $43,000 | Avg SAT 1492 |
| 12 | Convent of the Sacred Heart | 730 | $64,610 | AAIS league; strong college placements |
| 13 | Lycée Français de New York | 1,200+ | $49,925 | Dual-language program |
| 14 | Collegiate School | 670 | $68,900 | Oldest independent school (1628) |
| 15 | Friends Academy | 769 | K $33,000; 1–4 $39,600; 5–8 $43,700; 9–12 $47,900 | Ranked #1 K–12 (Niche) |
| 16 | French-American School of NY | ~700 | K $37,950; 1–8 $40,215; 9–12 $44,810 | IB program, bilingual |
| 17 | Marymount School of NY | 773 | $67,510 | Strong college matriculation |
| 18 | The Browning School | 400+ | $68,910 (incl. books, trips) | 30+ clubs |
| 19 | The Hewitt School | 425 | $67,700 | Ethical leadership, sustainability |
| 20 | BASIS Independent Manhattan | 285–340 | K $39,900; 1–5 $43,000; 6–8 $45,385; 9–12 $47,775 | Avg SAT 1492; strong top 50 admit rate |
1. Riverdale Country School (Bronx; Co-ed)
- Grade: PK–12
- Founded Year: 1907
- Values: Scholarly & Intimate Teaching, Holistic Student Support, Learning by Doing, Belonging in a Diverse Community, and Campus Stewardship & Sustainability
- Enrollment: 1,300
- Tuition: $59,412 (Total cost ~$69,300)
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 5:1
- Sports Team: 70+ teams (Ivy Prep League)
- Club Number: 40+
- Matriculation: Past 5 years—10+ students to Brown, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Stanford, UChicago, Penn, Princeton, Yale
2. The Brearley School (Manhattan; Girls)
- Grade: K–12
- Founded Year: 1884
- Values: Purpose, Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Empathy, Inclusion
- Enrollment: 770
- Tuition: $66,800 (2025–26)
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 6:1
- Sports Team: 14 varsity teams
- Club Number: 50+
- Matriculation: 2021–25—Harvard (25), Columbia (21), Cornell (20), Yale (18), Penn (15), Brown (10), Princeton (10)
3. The Chapin School (Manhattan; Girls)
- Grade: K–12
- Founded Year: 1901
- Values: Curiosity, Excellence, Humanity, Integrity
- Enrollment: 810
- Tuition: $68,250 (Laptop fee $2,000 for Grades 6–12)
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 6:1
- Sports Team: Beaver, 15 varsity teams
- Club Number: ~50
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; (2021–2025) Strong Ivy+ presence with top matriculations to Cornell (21), Penn (13), Yale (13), UChicago (8), Harvard (7), Princeton (6), Columbia (6), Stanford (5), plus notable numbers to Northwestern, MIT
- Notable: Competes in NYC's AAIS league
4. Rye Country Day School (Rye; Co-ed)
- Grade: PK–12
- Founded Year: 1869
- Values: Respect and Responsibility, Commitment to Personal & Academic Excellence, Diversity within an Inclusive Community, Service
- Enrollment: 969
- Tuition: PK–4: $50,675 / 5-8: $53,400 / 9-12: $57,350
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: Pre-K 6:1; K–4 9:1; Grade 5 15:1; Grades 6–8 8:1; Grades 9–12 12:1
- Sports Team: Wildcats, 68 teams (38 championships in last 5 years)
- Club Number: 50+
- Matriculation: 100% to college; Class of 2025 included Cornell (9), Northwestern (5), Penn (4), WUSTL (4), plus Stanford (3) and UChicago (3)
- Notable: Frequent NYSAIS championships in multiple sports
5. Horace Mann School (Bronx; Co-ed)
- Grade: Nursery–12
- Founded Year: 1887
- Values: Life of the Mind, Mature Behavior, Mutual Respect, Secure and Healthful Environment, Balance Between Individual Achievement and a Caring Community
- Enrollment: ~1,790
- Tuition: $65,370
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 8:1
- Sports Team: Lions, 36 varsity teams
- Club Number: 90
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; Class of 2025 admits to Cornell (9), Northwestern (5), Penn (4), WUSTL (4), Stanford (3), UChicago (3)
- Notable: Ivy Prep League athletics and extensive student publications
6. Trinity School (Manhattan; Co-ed)
- Grade: K–12
- Founded Year: 1709
- Values: Labore et Virtute
- Enrollment: 1,052
- Tuition: $69,000
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Sports Team: Tigers, 30 varsity teams
- Club Number: 50+
- Matriculation: 100% to selective colleges
- Notable: Among the oldest schools in the U.S. (founded 1709)
7. The Dalton School (Manhattan; Co-ed)
- Grade: K–12
- Founded Year: 1919
- Values: Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Justice
- Enrollment: 1,330
- Tuition: $67,480
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 6:1
- Sports Team: Tigers, 50+ teams in 14 sports
- Club Number: 70+
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; 2019-2024 top destinations: Harvard (37), Cornell (36), Brown (28), UChicago (26), Yale (22)
- Notable: Strong Ivy Prep League presence
8. The Spence School (Manhattan; Girls)
- Grade: K–12
- Founded Year: 1892
- Values: Scholarship, Leadership, Joy, Belonging, Agility
- Enrollment: 804
- Tuition: All grades $68,480
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 13 students per class; 6:1
- Sports Team: 38
- Club Number: 40+
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; 2019–24 included Harvard (24), Cornell (16), Brown (15), Columbia (10), Princeton (9), Stanford (10), Yale (9)
- Notable: Competes in NYC's AAIS league
9. Ethical Culture Fieldston School (Bronx & Manhattan; Co-ed)
- Grade: PK–12
- Founded Year: 1878
- Values: Ethics & inclusion
- Enrollment: 1,700+
- Tuition: $68,162
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 10:1
- Sports Team: Eagles, 56 teams in 16 sports
- Club Number: 60+
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; 2020-2025 strong placements including Emory (31), Northwestern (28), Cornell (25)
- Notable: Progressive education with ethics-centered curriculum
10. Avenues: The World School (Manhattan, Co-ed)
- Grade: Nursery–12
- Founded Year: 2012
- Enrollment: 1,980
- Tuition: All grades $72,300
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 17 students per class, 6:1
- Sports Team: 37
- Club Number: 40+
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; Class of 2024: Cornell (7), USC (4), Johns Hopkins (3), Princeton (2), Georgetown (2), NYU (3)
- Notable: Focus on global programs and language immersion; Campus exchange program available
11. BASIS Independent Brooklyn (Brooklyn; Co-ed)
- Grade: PK–12
- Founded Year: 2014
- Values: Show Respect, Take Responsibility, Make Improvements
- Enrollment: 600+
- Tuition: PreK $39,100 / K $39,500 / 1–12 $43,000
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 7:1
- Sports Team: 15+ teams
- Club Number: 55
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; Class of 2025 — 17% to top 10 universities, 41% to top 20 universities
- Notable: Average SAT score 1492/1600 for Class of 2025
12. Convent of the Sacred Heart (Manhattan; Girls; Catholic)
- Grade: PK–12
- Founded Year: 1881
- Values: Deep respect for intellectual values; social awareness that impels to action
- Enrollment: 730
- Tuition: $64,610
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 7:1
- Sports Team: 38 teams
- Club Number: 60+ student-led clubs and organizations
- Matriculation: 2021-2025—Harvard (2), Yale (3), Princeton, Columbia (2), Stanford, UChicago (6), Penn (10), Cornell (12), Georgetown (21), NYU (10)
- Notable: All competitive teams compete in the AAIS (Athletic Association of Independent Schools)
13. Lycée Français de New York (Manhattan; Co-ed; Bilingual French/American)
- Grade: Nursery–12
- Founded Year: 1935
- Values: Community, Commitment, Open Minds, Joy
- Enrollment: 1,200+
- Tuition: $49,925 (2025-26)
- Class size/Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
- Sports Teams: 43 competitive after-school teams (from Grade 6)
- Club Number: 33 extracurriculars including arts, music, robotics, theater
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; U.S. placements include Columbia (7), Cornell (18), Harvard (3), Yale (4), Princeton (4), UPenn (6), Stanford (2), UChicago (7), NYU (21), Northeastern (14)
14. Collegiate School (Manhattan; Boys)
- Grade: K–12
- Founded Year: 1628
- Values: History & Tradition, Culture & Community, Boys' Education, and Academic Excellence
- Enrollment: 670
- Tuition: $68,900 (all-inclusive)
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 6:1
- Sports Team: 24 teams including soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf
- Club Number: Dozens—Math Club, Science Olympiad, Robotics, Model UN, Debate
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; 2020–2024 top destinations: Harvard (1), Columbia (11), Cornell (13), Stanford (1), Duke (10)
- Notable: Oldest independent school in the U.S. (founded 1628)
15. Friends Academy (Locust Valley; Co-ed; Quaker)
- Grades: PK–12
- Founded Year: 1876
- Values: Stay True, Practice Peace, Cultivate Community, Pursue Justice, Be the Change, Take Care, and Let Your Life Speak
- Enrollment: 769
- Tuition: K $33,000 / 1-4 $39,600 / 5-8 $43,700 / 9-12 $47,900
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1
- Sports Team: 20 varsity sports (Upper School); 10 Middle School sports
- Club Number: Dozens including robotics, mock trial
- Matriculation: 100% graduation rate; 2020–24 graduates enrolled at Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, UChicago, Duke, Rice, Notre Dame, Amherst, Bowdoin, Barnard
- Notable: Ranked #1 Best K–12 Private School in NY (Niche)
16. French-American School of New York (Mamaroneck/Larchmont; Co-ed; Bilingual)
- Grades: PK-12
- Founded Year: 1980
- Values: Responsibility, Empathy, Solutions, Positivity, Enthusiasm, Cooperation, and Time
- Enrollment: ~700
- Tuition: K $37,950 / 1-8 $40,215 / 9-12 $44,810
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 20 per class, 10:1
- Sports Team: 24
- Club Number: 65
- Matriculation: 100% college acceptance; 2025 IB Class avg 33.4; graduates enrolled at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Penn, Yale, MIT, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Georgetown, Tufts, NYU, USC
17. Marymount School of New York (Manhattan; Girls; Catholic)
- Grade: PK–12
- Founded Year: 1926
- Values: Character, Compassion, Social Justice, Spiritual Identity
- Enrollment: 773
- Tuition: $67,510
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 5:1
- Sports Team: 30
- Club Number: 75
- Matriculation: 100% college matriculation; 2020–2024 top destinations include Wake Forest (12), Cornell (11), Tulane (11), University of St Andrews (8), NYU (8), Boston College (8), Penn (7), Lehigh (7), Northeastern (7)
18. The Browning School (Manhattan; Boys)
- Grades: K–12
- Founded Year: 1888
- Values: Honesty, Curiosity, Dignity, and Purpose
- Enrollment: 400+
- Tuition: $68,910 (includes lunch, books, trips)
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 6:1
- Sports Team: Soccer, Basketball, Squash, Tennis, Track, Baseball, Golf, Varsity Table Tennis
- Club Number: 30+ (including 6 affinity/alliance groups)
- Matriculation: 100% graduation rate. 2020–24—Boston College (8), Penn (7), Emory (6), Colgate (5), multiple admits to Cornell, Dartmouth, NYU
19. The Hewitt School (Manhattan; Girls)
- Grades: K–12
- Founded Year: 1920
- Values/Mission: Inspiring ethical leadership, equity, sustainability, joy
- Enrollment: 425
- Tuition: $67,700 (2025-2026)
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: 6:1
- Sports Team: 24 varsity sports (soccer, volleyball, tennis, squash, golf, track, softball)
- Club Number: 30+ student-run clubs and publications
- Matriculation: 100% graduation rate. 2021–2025—multiple matriculants to Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Penn, Duke, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Northeastern
20. BASIS Independent Manhattan (Manhattan; Co-ed)
- Grades: PK–12 (Lower: PK–5 on Columbus Ave; Upper: 6–12 in Chelsea)
- Founded Year: 2017
- Values: Confidence, Creativity, Citizenship, Courage, and Compassion
- Enrollment: 285–340
- Tuition: K $39,900 / 1–5 $43,000 / 6-8 $45,385 / 9-12 $47,775
- Class size/Student-to-teacher ratio: ~5:1
- Sports Team: Wildcats; 10 interscholastic sports (Basketball, Dance, Fencing, Flag Football, Martial Arts, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball)
- Club Number: ~55 per trimester (arts, robotics, MATHCOUNTS, debate)
- Matriculation: 54% admitted to top 25 colleges; 91% to top 50 colleges
- Notable: Average SAT score 1492/1600 for Class of 2025
Choosing a top private K–12 school in New York means finding more than academics—it's about community, growth, and preparation for college. These 20 schools excel in values, small class sizes, rich programs, and proven Ivy+ matriculation, helping families make confident choices.
Which factor matters most to you when evaluating schools—cost, academics, or culture? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Why Accelerated Math Matters for Private Schools
One of the most important academic differentiators for competitive private high schools is placement on an accelerated math track. Compared with public schools, academic private schools typically move faster and expect students to reach advanced math earlier.
The comparison below shows how math progression often differs by grade and how math competitions align with each stage.
| Grade | Public School Curriculum | Academic Private School Curriculum | Recommended Math Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| G6 | Pre-Algebra (starting) | Pre-Algebra / Algebra 1 | AMC 8 / AMC 10 |
| G7 | Math 7 (Pre-Algebra) | Algebra 1 / Geometry | AMC 8 / AMC 10 |
| G8 | Math 8 (Pre-Algebra) | Geometry / Algebra 2 | AMC 8 / AMC 10 / AIME |
| G9 | Algebra 1 | Algebra 2 / Pre-Calculus | AMC 10 / AIME |
| G10 | Geometry / Algebra 2 | Pre-Calculus / Calculus AB / SAT Math | AMC 10 / AIME / USA(J)MO |
| G11 | Algebra 2 / Pre-Calc / SAT | Calculus BC / Stats / SAT Math | AMC 12 / AIME / USAMO |
| G12 | Calculus / Stats | Multivariable Calculus / Stats | AMC 12 / USAMO |
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