Northwood School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked NY School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 185 students
Yearly Tuition: $63,860
Acceptance rate: 55%
Average class size: 10 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 31 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Northwood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Northwood School
9	20
10	40
11	60
12	65

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Offers Post-Graduate Year

Yes

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Mild Learning Differences

Year Founded

1905

Colors

White, Blue

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

185 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

27%

State avg.: 39%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

32 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

50%

Average Class Size

10 students

Number of AP Courses

10 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Advanced Placement MacroeconomicsAdvanced Placement Psychology

Advanced Placement World HistoryAP Biology

AP CalculusAP English Literature

AP Environmental ScienceAP US History

Average SAT score

1100

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Average Percentile SSAT

50%

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Khaki pants and collared shirts

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 31 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$63,860

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

$63,860 Boarding $45,000 Day $1,700 International Student Fee $4,700 ESL

% on Financial Aid

55%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$40,000

Acceptance Rate

55%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Gino Riffle

Admissions Associate

Elenor Mandigo

Endowment Size

$10 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

20 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

11 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Black Student UnionCommunity Service Club

International Student CouncilRobotics Team

Sustainability ClubYearbook Committee

Arts and Music Programs:

Band ProgramDrama Club

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Intramural SoccerOuting Club

Recreational Skiing

School Notes

Northwood School is a nationally recognized private boarding and day school located in the world-renowned Olympic destination of Lake Placid, New York.
Founded in 1905, Northwood School is among the nation`s top boarding schools for quality education, elite sport, college placement, and innovative educational programming. Northwood's student body is comprised of 190+ students from around the United States and the world, 85% of whom live on campus.Northwood School boasts a student to faculty ratio of 5:1, with an average class size of 10 students.

School Motto: Northwood School fosters growth in young people so that they may engage their world and lead lives of consequence.
School Mascot: Eagles

Northwood School is a nationally recognized private boarding and day school located in the world-renowned destination of Lake Placid, New York, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Founded in 1905, Northwood School`s diverse student body is comprised of 190 students from all parts of the United States and the world. In addition to offering regular level, Honors and A.P. courses in every academic discipline, Northwood`s innovative curriculum also features several signature academic programs that distinguish its graduates in the college admission process. As a result, Northwood`s graduates consistently earn opportunities to continue their academic and athletic careers at some of the most selective colleges and universities in the United States and around the world.In addition to its historic campus, Northwood School takes advantage of the unique facilities and unmatched beauty of the Adirondacks to provide its students with an academic and athletic experience that is unmatched at the secondary school level.
For students and their families that are considering an independent boarding school experience, Northwood School is the independent boarding school that in addition to offering the comprehensive traditional college-prep curriculum found at all independent schools, Northwood School also provide students with four distinct academic programs:Innovation and Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, the L.E.A.P. program and a Learning Center as well as a wide ranging co-curricular program that includes competitive athletics. Rather than providing instances for "hands on" learning, Northwood School students engage in "first hand experiences" that not only create outstanding college options but provide them with the skills necessary to be successful at and beyond the collegiate level.
Northwood School`s commitment to excellence in academic programming will soon extend into a new, progressive 12,000+ square foot facility in downtown Lake Placid. The Innovation Hub at Northwood School will provide a flexible, open classroom and event space. It will be a center for real-world application, creative thinking andcommunity collaboration, providing a hub for modern day learning.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Eleanor Powell '80 - Executive Director, Investor Relations at The Estee Lauder Companies Inc
- Theodore Davidge Lockwood ‘42 - Former President of Trinity College, 1968-1981
- Mike Richter '85 - 1988, 1998, 2002 Olympics, Ice Hockey
- Dr. Amanda Donohue ‘94 - Cardiologist with Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center
- Darcy Prime ‘73 Owner - Darcy Prime Consulting, Former Assistant Director of Admissions, Stanford University
- Thomas Vonn '94 - 2002 Olympics, Alpine Skiing
- Nancy Kirhoffer ‘82 - Post Production Supervisor, Hollywood Film Industry
- Andrew Weibrecht '03 - 2010, 2014 Olympics, Alpine Skiing
- Craig Randall '61 - Mayor Lake Placid, NY
- Brad Olch '69 - Former Mayor, Park City, Utah

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Northwood School cost?

Northwood School's tuition is approximately $63,860 for private students.

What schools are Northwood School often compared to?

Northwood School is often viewed alongside schools like Mountain Lake Academy by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of Northwood School?

The acceptance rate of Northwood School is 55%, which is lower than the national average of 76%.

Who are famous alumni from Northwood School?

Northwood School famous alumni include: Eleanor Powell '80, Theodore Davidge Lockwood ‘42, Mike Richter '85, Dr. Amanda Donohue ‘94, Darcy Prime ‘73 Owner, Thomas Vonn '94, Nancy Kirhoffer ‘82, Andrew Weibrecht '03, Craig Randall '61 and Brad Olch '69.

What sports does Northwood School offer?

Northwood School offers 20 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Crew, Dance, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Ice Hockey, Indoor Soccer, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball and Weightlifting. Northwood School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in New York for most sports offered.

What is Northwood School's ranking?

Northwood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for: Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Northwood School?

The application deadline for Northwood School is Jan. 31 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 31 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in New York is $22,498 for elementary schools and $26,972 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in New York is 76% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).