Best New York Private Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 1,826 private schools serving 434,885 students in New York (there are 4,818 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 $22,368 for elementary schools and $26,875 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.

Pine Street School Photo - Pine Street Schools starts at age 1 with a program that nurtures strong literacy, numeracy and social skills. Small student-teacher ratios allow us to provide an individualized experience that supports full development and social skills. Our 2s begin learning English and Spanish or Mandarin in a dual language setting.

Iona Preparatory School Photo - Track Titles

Buffalo Seminary Photo - Our 5- and 7-day boarding programs offer the opportunity to live in historic homes led by faculty members in family-style living.

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

Professional Children's School Photo - At Professional Children's School, you don't have to choose between a great education and your dreams.

British International School Of Ny Photo - Water views and fresh air keep the students energized and ready to learn. Who says you need to be in a classroom to learn new skills and make new friends!

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.

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.

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

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.

Vincent Smith School Photo - Learning never stops, even between class periods

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.

Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn Photo - Pride, Tradition, Spirit and Excellence are the cornerstone of an Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn education.

Bay Ridge Preparatory School Photo - With a fresh approach to education, Bay Ridge Prep gives students an enriching experience that lasts a lifetime. Curiosity is stimulated, confidence is built, character is strengthened and socially-responsible citizens are graduated and prepared to be leaders of a global society.

Tuxedo Park School Photo - Our traditions encourage the younger and older students to work together to face challenges with teamwork, sportsmanship, kindness, and leadership.

Top Ranked New York Private Schools by County (2025)

County

# Schools

# Students

% of K-12 Students in Private Schools

Albany County

4,937

11%

Allegany County

223

Bronx County

23,245

10%

1,530

398

374

646

848

196

512

471

378

5,244

12%

Erie County

18,434

13%

Essex County

619

15%

131

614

133

113

1,021

330

99,478

25%

313

225

10,249

216

136

34,667

15%

New York County

207

55,438

26%

1,904

1,169

5,478

380

22,622

28%

<1%

249

404

813

188

48,572

15%

Rensselaer County

2,369

11%

Richmond County

11,557

16%

Rockland County

26,755

40%

563

1,630

2,009

<1%

146

698

16,196

1,401

13%

541

1,536

446

253

111

25,582

15%

Wyoming County

154

Yates County

486

15%

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 1,826 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 $22,368 for elementary schools and $26,875 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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