Choosing the right school for your kids is an important decision. It is vital to ensure that they get the best education possible. Moonpreneur has compiled a list of Top Private Schools in New York City that offer excellent academics and specialized learning opportunities.
Private school admission is intensely competitive from preschool on, but it becomes even more so as your children get older, says Manhattan-based education consultant Wendy Levey.
1. The Ivy League School
There are a few key things to consider when choosing an Ivy League school. First, you need to decide what kind of college experience you are looking for. Do you want to be part of a tight-knit community or do you prefer more freedom and opportunity? Luckily, there are many Ivy League schools that offer both.
Secondly, you should consider the school’s location. The Ivy League is mainly located in the Northeastern United States, but each college has a unique environment and culture. For example, Cornell and Dartmouth are more rural schools that provide an intimate setting where students can focus on their studies. Columbia and UPenn, on the other hand, are more urban and offer lots of opportunities to get involved in student life.
The Ivy League schools are also known for their academic reputation. They have a long history of producing top students and are highly selective, with average SAT scores above 1500 and ACT scores above 32. Many Ivy League alumni go on to become leaders in their fields and have contributed significantly to the world’s knowledge.
Finally, it is important to understand that Ivy League schools are not cheap. They have large endowments and typically offer generous scholarships for their students. However, if you are unable to afford the sticker price, it may not be the right fit for you.
It is worth noting that Ivy League schools are known as highly selective, with acceptance rates hitting record lows this past admissions cycle. If you are interested in an Ivy League school, it is best to apply early so that your application has a better chance of being considered. If you are accepted under early decision, be prepared to withdraw any other applications and commit to attending that university if you accept the offer.
2. The New York City Preparatory School
You won’t find a more concentrated concentration of highly-selective private high schools anywhere than in New York City. These elite institutions, which cost $60k or more per year, serve as feeders into many of the nation’s top-name colleges and universities. While there are a number of factors that go into determining which school to send your child to, most parents consider academic and social needs as well as financial and logistical considerations.
Prep’s founder, Simons, had set out to create a “model of success,” one that would allow his program to compete with other scholarship-granting programs in the city, such as Oliver Scholars (which prepares young black and Latino students for success at top independent schools and prestigious colleges) and the Posse Foundation. Prep’s model was working: By the mid-nineties, the program had a reputation for excellence. The New York Times even put it on its cover, with the headline, “The Best Prep in Town.”
By the time Hefferren was named as Simons’ successor, though, the educational landscape had changed. The new mayor, Michael Bloomberg, was bringing unprecedented control of the city’s public schools, closing some and opening smaller ones; encouraging charter schools, which are nominally public but often run and partially financed by private boards; and expanding a program that allows NYC residents to apply for seats at middle and high schools across the city.
At the same time, Prep was grappling with an existential question: With private schools increasingly recruiting smart, talented nonwhite children on their own, without nonprofit intervention, what was Prep’s role? And how did it fit in with the broader social and political movements that were sweeping the country?
3. The Collegiate School
Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Collegiate School is a top private school for boys in New York City. The school aims to cultivate each boy’s unique talents and interests in an environment of collaboration, respect and encouragement. It offers a rigorous k-12 program that balances academic excellence with opportunities to grow intellectually, artistically and physically.
The school has a small student body and close interaction between students and faculty members. It has three divisions: Lower School (Kindergarten-Grade 4), Middle School (Grades 5-8) and Upper School (Grades 9-12). Each division has its own administrative head, core faculty and specialized programs. Many faculty members teach across the three divisions, fostering a strong sense of community within the entire school.
The School’s history is rooted in the Dutch Republic, and its seal bears two mottoes: Eendracht Maakt Macht (In Unity There Is Strength), a translation of a Dutch saying, and Nisi Dominus Frustra (Unless God Is Willing, Nothing Is Possible), a Latin expression. In June of 2020, a school task force recommended that these symbols be removed from the campus, as the school was concerned that they were “insufficiently reflective of the secular character of the school.” Some parents complained that this was a case of woke imperatives taking over education.
To help navigate the best way to Collegiate School, Moovit provides you with a detailed route map and schedules for all public transit options in your area. This helps you find the best path, avoid traffic delays and see real-time updates to your travel times. The app will also notify you of any incidents on your journey that could delay your trip. The app’s map also shows you how far away Collegiate School is from your home and gives you step-by-step directions to get there.
4. The International School of New York
This school is based on the Montessori principle of teaching. Children are encouraged to work at their own pace, with an emphasis on self-motivation and the ability to think independently. The school offers an excellent choice of subjects and a range of extra-curricular activities. Its small class sizes make it easy for teachers to get to know their students. This is a good school for international families with small children.
The school is a leading independent international school in New York. It teaches from kindergarten to grade 12 and is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation. It also offers a variety of other national curricula, including the UK’s Cambridge IGCSEs and A-levels. The school has an excellent track record of placing students into world-class universities.
The school has a campus on the Upper East Side and an annex in Brooklyn. It is one of the best girls’ schools in America and regularly ranks amongst top high schools in New York City for its students’ achievements. It is also known for its debating teams and a tradition of excellence in the sciences, mathematics and music.
5. The American School of New York
With a stellar reputation for delivering quality education, this institution draws from traditional Jesuit values of morality and respect in its curriculum. Though tuition is high, the school offers extensive financial aid programs. It’s also a small school that’s highly selective when it comes to admitting students. That means that you’ll likely need a solid LSAT score to gain entry.
This top-tier private university boasts a diverse student body with students from all walks of life. This unique environment helps to foster a creative and collaborative approach to learning. The program also includes hands-on experiences and a diverse curriculum to help students become well-rounded individuals.
The New School’s atypical campus is located in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, which offers ample opportunities to enhance your education with visits to world-class museums, universities and sporting events. Students can take advantage of the countless internships and job opportunities that this city has to offer, as well as enjoy its vibrant culture.
This university is a great choice for art-y types, with Parson’s, Mannes and Jazz schools under its umbrella. It’s a tough school to get into, but it’s ideal for students who love to learn and care about what they’re doing more than just the grade they earn on an exam.
This school has an outstanding reputation for its law school. It has a long history of producing highly-qualified lawyers. The curriculum is rigorous, so you’ll need to work hard. But you’ll be rewarded with fantastic bar passage rates and stellar salaries after graduation. It’s a bit expensive, but worth the investment if you’re serious about your legal career. It also has an excellent track record for assisting with loan repayment.
