Best New York Private Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 1,805 private schools serving 430,553 students in New York (there are 4,816 public schools, serving 2,507,390 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 $22,407 for elementary schools and $26,980 for high schools (view national tuition averages).

The private schools in New York include Saint Ignatius Loyola School, Friends Academy, and Emma Willard 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.

Fusion Academy Westchester Photo - Each Fusion campus has a state-of-the-art music studio with professional-grade tools. Students can explore instruments, vocals, songwriting, DJ performing arts, and more.

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

Great Oaks Elementary School Photo - Apple Picking Trip

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.

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

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.

Westbury Friends School Photo - Apples picked from our apple tree. Now on to making apple pie.

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.

Buckley Country Day School Photo - Buckley Country Day School is a private, mission-driven, independent co-educational day school, serving 323 children in grades toddler through eight. The school provides a superior elementary education to an intellectually capable and diverse student body in a dynamic learning community.

Buffalo Seminary Photo - Founded in 1851, and in this building since 1909, Buffalo Seminary is on the National Register of Historic Places. Our campus includes 5 faculty and student residences in adjacent restored historic homes, and Larkin Field, a 5-minute walk away on a leafy parkway.

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.

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. .

The Laurel Hill School Photo - One visit can change your child's future.

The Knox School Photo - Founded in 1904, The Knox School is Long Island`s oldest established private school. Our inclusive environment serves grades 6-12 and Post-Graduate, providing students with a broad world perspective and a wide range of skills to prepare them for the next phase of their journeys.

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

22,840

10%

1,530

388

418

646

849

196

512

471

378

104

5,270

13%

Erie County

18,506

13%

Essex County

614

15%

131

614

133

113

1,021

326

97,264

25%

313

225

10,230

216

136

34,680

15%

New York County

202

54,987

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

16,089

1,401

13%

549

1,529

446

258

110

24,901

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 Saint Ignatius Loyola School, Friends Academy, and Emma Willard School.

How many private schools are located in New York?

There are 1,805 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 $22,407 for elementary schools and $26,980 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

Recent Articles

October 06, 2025

Private School Jobs in 2025: Opportunities & Insights

Discover private school jobs in 2025, including salaries, benefits, and differences from public schools. Learn how to start your private school career.