For the 2026 school year, there are 1,796 private schools serving 424,518 students in New York (there are 4,806 public schools, serving 2,500,934 students). 15% of all K-12 students in New York attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $22,475 for elementary schools and $26,908 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in New York include The Harley School, Poly Prep Country Day School, and BASIS Independent Brooklyn.
The average acceptance rate is 76% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 39% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (NY)
US
# Schools
1,796 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
424,518 Students
5,690,156 Students
% Average Students of Color
39%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
41,471 Teachers
507,981 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
76%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1253
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
28
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$22,417
$14,930
Average Summer Program Cost
$2,359
$1,150
Average % on Financial Aid
33%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$9,639
$7,220
Average Acceptance Rate
76%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$48.84 million
$62.96 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.59
0.65
# American Indian Students
949 Students
29,824 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
18,397 Students
264,947 Students
% Asian Students
5%
5%
# Hispanic Students
33,759 Students
506,920 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
9%
# Black Students
33,696 Students
415,825 Students
% Black Students
8%
7%
# White Students
252,994 Students
2,930,641 Students
% White Students
60%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
538 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
81,665 Students
1,472,250 Students
% of Others Students
19%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
13 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked New York Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Borough Park (29 schools), Midwood (28 schools), Crown Heights (18 schools), Williamsburg (18 schools), East Bronx (16 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in New York?
The top-ranked private schools in New York include The Harley School, Poly Prep Country Day School, and BASIS Independent Brooklyn.
How many private schools are located in New York?
There are 1,796 private schools are located in New York.
How much do private schools cost in New York?
The average private school tuition in New York is $22,475 for elementary schools and $26,908 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in New York?
Approximately 39% of students in New York private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in New York go to private school?
15% of all K-12 students in New York attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in New York?
Which private schools in New York are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in New York include: St. Francis De Sales Early Childhood Learning Center vs. Mohawk Valley Christian Academy, Downtown Little School vs. The Lang School, Mandala School vs. Aurora Waldorf School
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