Sanford School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked DE School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
Enrollment: 703 students
Average class size: 13 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 5 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Sanford School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Delaware for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)
Delaware Association of Independent Schools

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Sanford School
Nursery	32
Pre-K	32
Kind	32
1	32
2	30
3	31
4	35
5	39
6	48
7	46
8	50
9	66
10	82
11	76
12	72

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1930

Colors

Blue, Gold

Summer School Offered

Yes

Campus Size

100 acres

Student Body

Total Students

703 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

38%

State avg.: 27%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

92 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

8:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

13 students

Number of AP Courses

20 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Dress Code (not uniform) for Middle and Upper School students

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 5 / rolling

Tuition Notes

2025–2026 Tuition Preschool or PreK (Half Day) $10,500 Preschool-PreK $14,025 Kindergarten $15,100 Grade 1 $17,400 Grades 2-4 $25,875 Grades 5-6 $28,350 Grades 7-8 $30,475 Grades 9-12 $33,225

% on Financial Aid

54%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$13,151

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

Christine DiUbaldo

Admissions Associate

Jacqueline DeLaFuente

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$13.6 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

16 sports

Sports

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWeightlifting

Winter TrackWrestling

School Notes

Sanford School is a college-prep, co-educational day school for students in grades Preschool - Grade 12.
Since 1930, Sanford students have thrived on our nearly 100-acre, college-like campus where they can explore nature and foster both independence and community.
The mission of Sanford School is to identify and develop the intellectual and creative talents of a diverse group of students. Within a caring and supportive college preparatory environment, students are encouraged and challenged to achieve their finest in academics, athletics, and the arts.
Our ultimate goal is to teach students to live humanely within the Sanford community in order to prepare them to meet the demands and responsibilities of the future in the broader world.

School Motto: No Talent Lies Latent
School Mascot: Warriors

Sanford School is an independent educational institution that caters to both boys and girls, ranging from preschool (age 3) through high school. Situated on a stunning 100-acre educational campus in Hockessin, Delaware, we take pride in our position as one of the top-notch private schools in the region. Sanford was founded in 1930 as an innovative school where "No Talent Lies Latent."Ask any family associated with Sanford, and they will attest to our faculty's unwavering commitment to embodying this motto for every child in every classroom, each and every day.
Our students benefit from a challenging academic curriculum, extensive opportunities in the realms of arts and athletics, and an environment characterized by mutual respect and trust. They are fully immersed in a compassionate, globally-minded community that equips them for success in all facets of life.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Walter Davis '73 - NBA basketball player for 15 years and Olympic Gold Medalist
- Jackie Pitts '55 - Member of US Lacrosse Team; US Lacrosse Coach - 1982 World Champion Team; President of US Women's Lacrosse Associate and the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations; Hall of Fame Legend for USA Lacrosse
- Tom Verlaine '67 - Leader of New York band, Television. Helped shape Punk music movement in 1970's.
- Matthew Shipp '78 - American Avant-Garde Pianist, Composter, Band Leader and Author
- Caroline Polisi '00 - CBS News Legal Analyst and Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
- Zack Pappas '02 - Co-founder of Stateside brands

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are famous alumni from Sanford School?

Sanford School famous alumni include: Walter Davis '73, Jackie Pitts '55, Tom Verlaine '67, Matthew Shipp '78, Caroline Polisi '00 and Zack Pappas '02.

What sports does Sanford School offer?

Sanford School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Winter Track and Wrestling. Sanford School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Delaware for most sports offered.

What is Sanford School's ranking?

Sanford School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Delaware for: Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Sanford School?

The application deadline for Sanford School is Jan. 5 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 5 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Calendar

View the Sanford School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event

Date

School Opens; Semester 1 Begins

September 09, 2026 (Wednesday)

Faculty Professional Day (School CLOSED) Aftercare OPEN

October 09, 2026 (Friday)

Fall Break (School, Offices, & Aftercare CLOSED)

October 12, 2026 (Monday)

Lower, Middle, and Upper School Fall Conferences - School CLOSED

November 23, 2026 (Monday)

Thanksgiving Break: School, Offices, & Aftercare CLOSED - Thanksgiving Break

November 25, 2026 (Wednesday)

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 reviews)

5 9/20/2024

Sanford prepares each child academically, and spiritually and brings out those hidden talents often missed. They have a nurturing yet college-like atmosphere, which brings out the best in students. The Head of the School is a parent as well as an administrator, which makes him very well-invested in the school's success and atmosphere. The music and theatre departments have the absolutely finest faculty. Trusting this school to help your child succeed is a good choice.

- Posted by Parent - Glamma

5 2/13/2020

Love it! Very welcoming.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - Ness

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in New Castle County, DE is $15,571 for elementary schools and $22,255 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in New Castle County, DE is 85% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).