Westchester’s Best Private Schools

Westchester’s Best Private Schools: Westchester County and the surrounding areas offer a long list of private middle and college preparatory day school options for parents looking for a more personalized educational environment for their students. They range from Ivy magnets like Rye Country Day and Hackley School to “find yourself here” academic environments like Katonah’s The Harvey School that promises “rigor with a heart”.

The Harvey School, Rigor with a heart!: Set on a bucolic 100-acre campus in Katonah, the co-ed Harvey School offers middle school students a traditional curriculum in a structured environment with exposure to diverse points of view. In the upper school, students work more independently. With an average class size of ten, students receive personalized attention in academics, the arts and an athletic program that has won 26 championships since 2000. Harvey’s signature programs include Science Trajectories, Robotics, Japanese and Harvey Goes, an international studies program that partners with schools overseas. Harvey also offers a five-day boarding option. (260 Jay St., Katonah 914.232.3161; http://www.harveyschool.org)

Rippowam-Cisqua School, Pre-K-9: RCS enrolls 400 students Pre-K through grade 9 on two co-educational campuses in Bedord. The school draws students from 48 local towns and 78% of their students go on to a top secondary school while 22% attend public high schools. RCS offers an immersive curriculum and it’s facilities include 4 science labs, 4 art studios, a music house, 2 performing arts theaters, a 2400 square foot Innovation Center, a vegetable garden, 10 athletic fields and 3 gyms. (439 Cantitoe St., Bedford, 914.244.1200; www.rcsny.org)

Rye Country Day School, Bluest of Blue Chips: If you want your child competing with the best and the brightest you may want to consider Rye Country Day School. A Niche Top Ten NY State Private School, RCDS routinely sends upwards of half of it’s graduating class to Ivy League Schools. RCDS offers enrollment to over 900 students from pre-K through grade 12. RCDS balances a demanding academic environment with inventive and fun approaches to deliver a classic education where critical thinking skills and a broad knowledge base coexist with contemporary themes and teaching methods. (Cedar St., Rye 914.967.1417; www.ryecountryday.org)

The Hackley School, None Better: Westchester’s top-ranked private school (Niche) Hackley is set on a 285 acre campus in Tarrytown. This K-12 co-educational, college-preparatory day and five-day boarding school enrolls 840 students from 94 towns and cities. Hackley boasts a 7-1 student/faculty ratio and an average class size of 16.They offer 11 AP classes but replaced all English and History AP classes with their own curriculum some time ago. (You get the idea!) Student life is rich with 64 teams in 27 sports, 20 musical groups and 42 student-led Upper School Clubs. (293 Benedict Ave., Tarrytown, 914.366.2600; www.hackleyschool.org)

The Masters School, One of Westchester’s Big Three: The Masters School, along with Rye Country Day and The Hackley School, rounds out Westchester’s Big Three or Little Ivies, if you will. Founded in 1877 as a girls finishing school by Eliza Bailey Masters, it was provided a rigorous college preparatory program for women since the early 1900’s and became a co-educational institution in 1994. Set on a 96 acre campus overlooking the Hudson River, Masters enrolls 667 students from 20 states and 30 countries in grades 5-12. Including 499 in the upper school. Masters fields 60 athletic teams and has a renowned visual and performing arts program. (49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry, 914.479.6400; www.themastersschool.org)

French American School of New York, Westchester’s Stanford: If Rye Country Day, Hackley and The Masters School are the Harvard, Princeton & Yale of Westchester County, FASNY is Westchester’s Stanford. Ranked No. 3 in the county by Niche, FASNY students have on average SAT scores of 1350. With 912 students in grades K-12, it is the only school in the New York area to be accredited to offer both the International and the French Baccalaureate preparing all of their students for success in the best universities on both sides of the Atlantic. (320 E. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck; www.fasny.org)

Soundview Preparatory School, Tiny, Quirky, Highly Rated: Founded on the philosophy that students thrive in small classes in an environment where competition is minimized, Soundview Preparatory School opened its doors in March 1989 at St. John’s Church in Pleasantville with just 17 students. They have since moved to a thirteen acre campus in Yorktown and enroll 60 students in grades 6-12 with an average class size of seven students. Their Flexible Support Center, run by a licensed psychotherapist and learning specialist, helps with study habits, organizational skills, and homework. (370 Underhill Ave., Yorktown; www.soundviewprep.org)

Iona Prep, Catholic Boys: This Catholic boy’s school with 750 students in grade K-12 on a 21 acre campus in New Rochelle integrates a rigorous academic program offering 68 honors classes, AP classes and accelerated sections with a Christian brotherhood education that witnesses and celebrates Gospel values and promotes concern for marginalized populations. Rated No. 8 on Niche’s Top Westchester Private Schools, Iona Prep is an athletic power house. 24 Seniors from their 2019 class committed to play college sports. (255 Wilmot Rd., New Rochelle, 914.632. 0714; www.ionaprep.org)

The Leffell School, Jewish School formerly Solomon Schechter: This top rated, private, co-educational conservative Jewish day school located in Hartsdale has 788 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. Their lower school is located on a separate campus in White Plains. The school fields competitive athletic teams that play in Section 1 of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. (555 W. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale, 914.948.8333; www.schechterwestchester.org)

School of the Holy Child, Top Catholic Girls School: Westchester’s top-rated Catholic girls school, School of the Holy Child in Rye enrolls 300 students in grades 5-12 with a 7 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Set on a 20 acre campus, Holy Child has a 22,000 square foot Field House, a 2300 seat theater and a state of the art design studio with 3D printing. Signature programs include a Global Studies program with study abroad opportunities; Architecture, Engineering & Design for the Common Good and a Leadership Institute in Finance. (2225 Westchester Avenue, Rye, 914.967.5622; www.holychildrye.org)

The Ursuline School, Tech-forward Catholic Girls School: This private all-girls school on 13 acres in New Rochelle enrolls 800 students in grades 6-12. Ursuline offers a technology forward environment. It is a 1 to 1 laptop school, the whole campus is wireless and there are interactive white boards in the classrooms. It has a strong athletic program and offers global travel opportunities in it’s Global Studies program. They compete in Section 1 of the New York State Public High School Athletic Assocation. (1354 North Ave., New Rochelle, 914.636.3950; www.ursulinenewrochelle.org)

EF Academy, International Boarding School: This international boarding school draws students from 75 countries to its locations in Hawthorne, Oxford and Torbay in the UK and Pasadena, California. It’s 100-acre Hawthorne campus enrolls 650 residential and day students in grades 9-12. EF Academy offers a US High School Diploma and an IB Diploma for students who would like to pursue a global education and career. (582 Columbus Ave., Hawthorne, 914.495.6028; www.ef.edu)

Thornton Donovan School, AdvancED Accredited Boarding School: T-D offers a hands-on progressive education for academically talented students in grades K-12. This AdvancED Accredited Boarding School in New Rochelle has been recognized by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, for its support of students with high academic potential. One of Westchester’s most-affordable private schools, TD’s Thematic Discovery program offers students study abroad opportunities at the end of the year. (100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle, 914.632.8836; www.td.edu)

Westchester Hebrew High School: This Jewish private school situated on a 26 acre campus on the Long Island Sound in Mamaroneck enrolls 110 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. The school combines a first-class rigorous Modern Orthodox education with a boutique high school advantage.  Westchester Hebrew provides three academic tracks for each Judaic and General Studies course offered. (856 Orienta Avenue, Mamaroneck, 914.698.0806; www.whhsny.org)

John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, Catholic Co-educational Prep School: With 660 students enrolled in grades 9-12, Kennedy Catholic is one of the most affordable independent schools in Westchester County. The school offers a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 and has a strong athletics program. (54 Rt. 138, Somers, 914.232.5061; www.kennedycatholic.org)

Worth the trip

Greenwich Academy: All Girls Prep School: Ranked the sixth best private school in Connecticut (CT) by Niche, Greenwich Academy has 784 students in grades PK-12. It is also rated the best K-12 private school, the best all-girls private school and No. 6 best STEM school in CT. Greenwich Academy boasts a 5 to 1 student-teacher ratio and 88% percent of their graduates are accepted to one of their top 3 college preferences. (200 N. Maple Ave., Greenwich, CT, 203.552.4408; www.greenwichacademy.org)

Brunswick School, All Boys Prep School: Ranked the Best All-Boys High School in CT, the No. 7 private school, and No. 7 for STEM, Brunswick serves over 1,000 students from pre-K to grade 12. Including 413 in the upper school. 14% of Brunswick’s students come from Westchester County. The school maintains a class size of 12 and offers 28 AP courses, fields 18 varsity sports teams, has 63 student clubs, and teaches 7 foreign languages. (100 Maher Ave., Greenwich, CT, 203.625.5800; www.brunswickschool.org)

Horace Mann, Top of the list!: This academic powerhouse with 1791 students from nursery through grade 12, including 794 in the Upper School, is rated No. 4 on Niche’s List of Best NY State Private Schools. Operating on a trimester system, Horace Mann offers 230 courses in the Upper Division, including 22 Advanced Placement classes and 7 foreign languages! There’s 60 student clubs, 30 student publications, an art gallery, and a 650 seat arts theatre on their 18 acre campus in Riverdale. (231 W. 246th St. Riverdale, 718.432.4000; www.horacemann.org)

Riverdale Country School, Ivy Magnet in the Bronx: Ranked No. 7 in Niche’s list of best New York State private schools, RCDS is a co-educational, independent school serving 1,200 students pre-K to Grade 12. Located on two campuses, Riverdale Country School offers exceptional facilities and outdoor learning spaces on over 27 acres. The average SAT score for students in the Upper School is 1430 and the average ACT score is 33. (5250 Fieldston Rd, Bronx, 718.549.8810; www.riverdale.edu)

Ethical Culture Fieldston School: Fieldston is a Top 20 private school in New York State according to Niche. It enrolls 990 students in grades 6-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1. Another Ivy feeder school, Fieldston takes a progressive approach to education. Its core mission of exploring what it means to be an ethical and responsible member of society forms the core of its curriculum and school community. (3901 Fildston Rd., Bronx, 718.329.7300; www.ecfs.org)