Best New York Private Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 1,807 private schools serving 430,431 students in New York (there are 4,819 public schools, serving 2,508,712 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 $22,403 for elementary schools and $26,886 for high schools (view national tuition averages).

The private schools in New York include Friends Academy, Emma Willard School, and Poly Prep Country Day School.

The average acceptance rate is 74% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 40% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.

63% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Jewish.

Professional Children's School Photo - Students collaborating in the PCS library.

Rodeph Sholom School Photo - Rodeph Sholom School has three distinct divisions: Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School, allowing dedicated focus on each developmental phase.

The Windsor School Photo - Each year, our graduation ceremony takes places at Queens Botanical Garden. We are proud of our 100% graduation rate each year dating back to 1969, our first graduating class. Our graduates gain acceptance to top colleges and universities with substantial scholarship offers.

THINK Global School Photo - THINK Global School is comprised of 41 high school students who hail from all over the world. It's an opportunity to live next to and learn from a truly global student body.

Battery Park Montessori, A Green Ivy International School Photo - Our small student-teacher ratios provide rich opportunities for personalized learning and one-one-one support from Montessori-certified teachers with years of experience in child development.

The Waldorf School Of Garden City Photo - Welcome to the Waldorf School of Garden City!

Saint Therese Classical Academy and Chesterton Academy Photo - Practicing for our winter Gala! Saint Therese and Sister Pierre

The Chapel School Photo - The Chapel School's small class sizes ... max 14 in preschool, 18 in K-5 and 16 in middle school ... provide opportunities for personal, individualized instruction and a strong sense of community!

Fusion Academy Upper West Side Photo - Students get to be up close to everything in our science lab. In the one-to-one classroom students are always involved in experiments and have a hands-on approach to learning. We have college-level tools available and the world can be their classroom if they choose to venture out of the science lab.

BASIS Independent Manhattan Photo - PreK - 12 Education on the Upper West Side and Chelsea!

Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn Photo - Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn's historic Bay Ridge campus is located at 8515 Ridge Boulevard, in the heart of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. .

Tuxedo Park School Photo - At Tuxedo Park School, every teacher knows every child. Our small size allows us to administer differentiated instruction at all levels and to challenge the most advanced students while supporting those who need additional or varied instruction.

Green Meadow Waldorf School Photo - Green Meadow`s middle school academic curriculum engages the budding capacities and immense curiosity of the young teenager. Through practical interdisciplinary experiences, age appropriate challenges, and meaningful social interactions, students thrive academically and emotionally. Every day, students take part in immersive, explorative inquiry, broadening and deepening their understanding of the world.

Top Ranked New York Private Schools by County (2025-26)

County

# Schools

# Students

% of K-12 Students in Private Schools

Albany County

4,937

11%

Allegany County

223

Bronx County

23,107

10%

1,530

388

409

646

848

196

512

471

378

5,273

13%

Erie County

18,506

13%

Essex County

619

15%

131

614

133

113

1,021

326

96,961

25%

313

225

10,249

216

136

34,656

15%

New York County

203

54,939

26%

1,904

1,169

5,326

380

22,632

28%

<1%

249

404

813

187

48,530

15%

Rensselaer County

2,369

11%

Richmond County

11,557

16%

Rockland County

26,297

39%

563

1,707

2,009

<1%

146

698

16,101

1,401

13%

541

1,529

446

253

110

24,886

15%

Wyoming County

154

Yates County

442

14%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in New York?

The top-ranked private schools in New York include Friends Academy, Emma Willard School, and Poly Prep Country Day School.

How many private schools are located in New York?

There are 1,807 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 $22,403 for elementary schools and $26,886 for high schools

How diverse are private schools in New York?

Approximately 40% 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?

63% of private schools in New York are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Jewish.

Which private schools in New York are often viewed compared to one another?

Popular comparisons of private schools in New York include: Downtown Little School vs. The Lang School, Mountain Lake Academy vs. Northwood School, Mandala School vs. Aurora Waldorf School

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