Explore Private Schools in the U.S. & Worldwide

Holderness is an Episcopal, college-preparatory school. Utilizing its small size and close-knit community, Holderness strikes a balance between academics and sports, including football, nationally recognized ski teams (alpine, nordic, freestyle, freeride, snowboarding), hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. Holderness is known for its unique job and leadership programs, as well as community service and outdoor program. Carpenter Arts Center provides an art gallery, ceramic, photography, and recording studios. Recent additions include Gallop Fitness Center, Alfond Library/Media Center and renovated Schoolhouse.

■ Located in Orlando, Florida, the only IB school in Central Florida with a warm, sunny climate for living, learning, and sports. ■ Offers nearly 150 courses across multiple levels, including ESL, American High School, 35 honors courses, 2 AP courses, and 36 IB courses. ■ STEAM program in science and engineering in collaboration with MIT, mentoring students in robotics and innovation projects. ■ Entrepreneurship program partnering with local businesses to provide real-world entrepreneurial experiences. ■ Cypress Center for the Arts provides comprehensive arts education, including performing arts in partnership with the Julia Conservatory. ■ Offers 21 sports and over 60 teams, with strong programs in golf, tennis, and swimming. ■ Notable alumni include CBA athlete Fanbo Zeng, who graduated from Windermere Preparatory School and played for the NBA G League Ignite. ■ Brand-new townhouse-style boarding, double occupancy, located near Walt Disney World, with faculty serving as housemasters and strong campus security. ■ College counseling begins in 9th grade, with strong college acceptance outcomes.

Established in 1863, and located in Honolulu, Hawaii, 'Iolani School is a culturally diverse, co-educational, college preparatory school for over 1900 students in grades K-12 founded upon Christian values. We are recognized as one of the top college preparatory schools in the United States and have more than 150 years of history embracing students from around the world. Academic excellence and personal growth flourish in an atmosphere that is challenging and competitive, yet caring and nurturing. Through dynamic and personalized instruction in a multitude of disciplines, 'Iolani develops liberally educated, well-rounded individuals who are well prepared for college and ready to assume their responsibilities as active, moral citizens.

The Ethel Walker School is far more than a traditional all-girls school. It is a place where mentor educators galvanize students to harness their creative energies and embark on lives of impact. Unconstrained by gender-biased thinking, Walker’s students are encouraged to test boundaries in the classroom, on the fields, on stage, and in pursuit of knowledge. They embrace that knowledge to build their affluence of mind through a visionary academic approach. Together, in a community where each individual is supported as she defines her perspective and explores new vantage points, students revel in the confluence of spirit generated from this joyful nexus of connection, collaboration, and creation. While at Walker’s, girls are inspired to lead with confidence and conviction. This strength will imbue each graduate throughout her life. Walker’s alumnae carry themselves with grace and a certainty that empowers them to influence and inspire. We’re all for girls and have been since 1911.

Since 1893, Baylor has been one of the premier college-preparatory schools in the U.S. Our beautiful 690-acre campus is located on the Tennessee River and only five minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Students enjoy the benefits that come from small classes, a unique leadership program and innovative curriculum, an exceptional faculty that includes 100 educators with advanced degrees, vast extracurricular choices, and nationally recognized athletic teams. Graduates are admitted to colleges and universities nationwide, including some of the most selective schools in the world.

The Village School is located in the western Energy Corridor of Houston, Texas, it is the only boarding school in the Greater Houston area, with most local parents working in the aerospace, medical, and energy industries. The school offers over 200 high school courses, including ESL, college prep courses, 14 honors courses, 16 AP courses, and 55 IB courses. STEAM education is a key strength, with curricula and activities developed in collaboration with MIT. Students have the opportunity to earn five different types of diplomas at The Village School, including U.S. High School Diploma, IB Diploma, Entrepreneurship Diploma, Pre-Med Diploma and Computer Science Diploma. The Village School partners with the Space Center to provide learning and research opportunities in space-related fields, along with corresponding internships. During high school, students can take part in internships through partnerships with many well-known local companies, research institutes, hospitals, and non-profit organizations. On-campus dormitory consists entirely of double-occupancy rooms under a fully gated-campus management system for greater safety. The school excels in soccer and basketball, having won multiple state championships. The school provides college guidance begins in 9th grade, having outstanding university placement, with a high percentage of students admitted to top-tier STEM universities.

Woodside Priory is a coeducational, Catholic independent school for students in middle school, grades six through eight and in high school, grade 9 through 12. Situated within ten minutes of Stanford University on the San Francisco peninsula in Portola Valley, the Priory combines its 50-acre (20-hectare) rural campus with a challenging college preparatory curriculum, a 7-to-1 student-faculty ratio, and a full complement of competitive athletics and enriching co-curricular. As both a day and a boarding school, seamless interaction between boarders and day students provides an enthusiastic and spirited campus student life where local students blend with students from countries throughout the world. The Priory embodies the values of Benedictine education - a belief in order and personal responsibility, a respect for diversity, the importance of community life and the development of the whole person.

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades PK-12, with an optional five-day boarding experience in high school. Three age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life. At Shady Side, there is a balanced approach to education with a commitment to students’ academic, physical and emotional development.

Thomas Jefferson School (TJ) is a small, academically rigorous day and boarding school located just outside St. Louis, serving students in grades 7–12. Our size is intentional. With fewer than 90 students, every class is discussion-based, every voice matters, and no student disappears. TJ is designed for students who are ready to move beyond lecture-style classes into active thinking, speaking, and writing. Classes meet daily and move at a purposeful pace, with close faculty guidance that helps students adapt to the expectations of U.S. classrooms while building confidence over time. Learning extends well beyond the classroom. Faculty know students personally and remain actively involved throughout the day and evening, ensuring that students are both challenged and supported in a structured environment. Outcomes are consistently strong. TJ students earn admission to highly selective universities in the U.S. and U.K., including Cambridge, Cornell, Rice, and Vanderbilt. Graduates leave not only well prepared, but confident, independent, and ready to succeed in demanding university environments.

In a community where every student is known and needed, Millbrook prepares its student for college and lives of meaning and consequence by instilling the values of respect, integrity, stewardship, service, and curiosity. Nestled on 800 acres in the Hudson Valley of New York, Millbrook School resides just 90 miles north of New York City and is home to 330 students from 24 different states and 17 different countries. Through our commitment to ensuring that all of our students are needed and known, our students have the opportunity to explore new passions, while developing greater expertise and confidence in their current interests. As a student at Millbrook, you will be surrounded by so many people who are dedicated to helping you succeed. Between our expert faculty, who will be your coaches, advisers, teachers, and dorm parents, we have the ability to see our students in multiple lights and help our students build upon their strengths to bolster their weaknesses. Our faculty will push you to look at the world like never before, developing a deep value and appreciation for thoughtful and respectful intellectual discourse. One particularly notable program available to Millbrook students is the Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo at Millbrook School. Established in 1936, Millbrook’s AZA accredited Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo is one of a kind. Founded by Millbrook’s first biology teacher, Frank Trevor, the zoo allows students unique, hands-on experiences with more than 170 exotic and indigenous animals in facilities that extend across 6 acres. Classes such as Environmental Science, Animal Behavior, Primate Evolution, and Independent Science Research are tied closely to our zoo and expose students to solution-oriented approaches which focus on sustainability, evolution, and quality of life for all within the means of nature. Outside of academics, every Millbrook student will engage at the zoo through the campus-wide community service program and through extracurricular offerings. Through these opportunities students will have hands-on experiences in animal husbandry, diet preparation, and veterinary medicine. According to the President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Millbrook School’s Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo is the pre–eminent education and conservation program for high school students in the United States.

Westover is a girls-centered boarding and day school for grades 9–12, including a postgraduate year, located in Middlebury, Connecticut—a quintessential New England town within reach of New York City and Boston. With an intentionally small community of approximately 200 students, Westover offers a highly personalized educational experience where every student is known, challenged, and supported to thrive. Rooted in a tradition of academic excellence across the humanities, arts, sciences, mathematics, and global studies, Westover combines rigorous college preparation with innovative, real-world learning. Signature programs such as Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and the Financial Independence, Resourcefulness, and Entrepreneurship (FIRE) initiative encourage students to think critically, communicate confidently, and engage deeply across disciplines. Housed in the Ann Pollina Center for Women in Science and Engineering, WISE is built on the belief that students learn STEM best by actively doing STEM. The program features hands-on, inquiry-driven coursework in fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, environmental engineering, fluid physics, game design, and public health—courses designed to reflect the tools, ideas, and challenges shaping today’s scientific and technological landscape. At the same time, Westover’s interdisciplinary approach ensures students develop equally strong foundations in writing, research, creativity, collaboration, and global understanding. Through innovative programs, close faculty mentorship, and a globally minded community, Westover prepares young women not only for admission to the world’s leading universities, but also for lives of purpose, leadership, and meaningful impact.

Grier School is a girls' boarding school located in Central Pennsylvania, on the East Coast of the United States. Founded in 1853, Grier School has a history of excellence. Grier students become emboldened, engaged, and poised for the future, ensuring students are accepted to elite, top-tier universities.

Founded in 1915 on a hilltop in New Milford, CT, Canterbury School blends academic excellence with nurturing intellectually curious, values-centered, and well-rounded students. We are a co-educational school for grades 9-12, situated on a secure, picturesque campus just 1.5 hours from NYC. Our inclusive, interfaith community, guided by Catholic heritage, fosters empathetic, ethically grounded individuals who value diversity and strive to create a just and compassionate world. With 330+ students, Canterbury offers a personalized and enriching experience for both day and boarding students. Our rigorous college preparatory curriculum, diverse extracurricular activities, and vibrant community life promote personal growth, discovery, and the development of lifelong skills. Our dedicated faculty guide and champion students' individual journeys and ambitions. At Canterbury, you receive a transformative education that prepares you for college and a fulfilling, impactful life beyond.

Portsmouth Abbey School is the nation's leading Catholic Benedictine coeducational boarding school. The School was founded in 1926 by Father Hugh Diman, a Benedictine monk and first Headmaster. Students grow in knowledge and grace as they tackle rigorous classes taught in the Western intellectual tradition. Students actively serve others through service trips to Lourdes, France, and the community service program. Portsmouth Abbey School is academically challenging and a friendly, safe, and nurturing place to go to school. Student interests are supported by caring and talented faculty. Located near Newport, Rhode Island, the campus sits on 525 acres bordered by Narragansett Bay and the Aquidneck Club. This location provides a safe and engaging environment for 350 students in grades 9-12. It has 43 athletic teams, diverse community service programs, and extraordinary golf, sailing, squash, art, and fitness facilities.

The Masters School is a coeducational, college preparatory school located on 96 wooded acres, just 35 minutes north of New York City. Students and teachers make full use of state-of-the-art campus facilities as well as one of the most exciting classrooms in the world--New York City. As a boarding and day school, this is a place of high standards, great achievement, and hard work. The curriculum is challenging. The athletic teams are competitive and accomplished. The arts program is exceptional. An engagement with the School's community service program has been a guiding principle since the School's founding in 1877.

Avon Old Farms School understands how to teach boys. By leveraging relational learning, we breathe life into academia while challenging each individual to persevere in the pursuit of self-discovery. Our traditionally-structured and well-balanced environment refines character traits young men need to be successful throughout their entire life. Our unique brotherhood is diverse and inclusive: young men from all over the globe excel in leadership and build lasting friendships. ACADEMICS: Our REAL (Relational, Experiential, Active, and Lifelong) Learning program propels boys to learn strategically how the male mind works best. ARTS: Our art program has won more awards than any other school in the state and our Director of Arts was named the Connecticut Teacher of the Year! ATHLETICS: Every student has a place to be active, be a part of a team, and grow in strength and ability. In the classroom, in the art studio, on the athletic fields, AND IN LIFE ...Avon inspires excellence.

Elite Preparatory Academy (EPA) is a distinguished private boarding school on the East Coast of the United States, serving international students in grades 8–12. Guided by its core philosophy, “One Student, One Plan,” EPA is committed to personalized education that empowers students to develop global perspectives, innovative thinking, and strong character. EPA offers seven signature academic pathways, including STEM Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Business & Entrepreneurship, Environmental Science, Creative Arts, Humanities, and Music & Performing Arts. The school provides 28 AP and Honors courses, small class sizes, and a strong emphasis on research, academic competitions, and experiential learning. Students actively participate in programs such as AMC, AIME, and the AI Olympiad to strengthen their academic foundation and enhance their college readiness. In recent years, EPA graduates have earned admission to top universities across the United States and other prestigious institutions worldwide.

At Saint Mary’s School, we challenge girls academically – to be BOLD, to be INSPIRED, to be PREPARED, and to become EXTRAORDINARY. What sets Saint Mary's School apart from other schools? Our parents say it’s the safety in an urban environment, the small classes, and extraordinary univeristy admission services. Our students say it’s the sense of community, the Honor Code, “space to be yourself,” the location (near cultural centers, concerts, shopping, and restaurants), and feeling accepted and empowered in their learning and social growth. Two identity markers also make Saint Mary’s School a distinct option for high school: we are all-girls, and we are a boarding school, as well as a day school. In an all-girl environment, Saint Mary’s students enjoy not just equal opportunity, but every opportunity, and learning takes center stage without social distractions. Here girls are supported by a culture, climate, and community that together generate high levels of personal and academic self-confidence and a can-do attitude. It’s a place where it’s cool to work hard and be a good student. Saint Mary's offers the AP Capstone diploma program, so that students can develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and public speaking skills, culminating in a special designation. As a boarding school, Saint Mary’s provides a 24-hour learning environment focused on education supported by heightened interaction between students and their teachers, who see their work as a calling, not a job. Day students at Saint Mary’s have unique advantages, not found at other day schools, for extraordinary access to the school’s facilities, programs, and people—days and nights, weekdays and weekends. Of course, Saint Mary’s is more than college preparatory, independent, all-girls, day and boarding school. It is an honor code school, an Episcopal school, a tablet computer school, and an old school with a storied history and proud heritage. As one alumna aptly describes it, “Saint Mary’s is a fabulously modern take on a very traditional concept.”

Spanning over 1,100 acres of Prairie with breathtaking views of and easy access to the Rocky Mountains, Fountain Valley School of Colorado offers an unmatched experience for boarding, day, and international students in Colorado Springs. Campus resources include 10 spacious Adoble-style residence halls, gourmet dining services, robust campus-wide technology, and state-of-the-art science, art, and athletic facilities. Additionally, the School's 40-acre Class of 1969 Mountain Campus near Buena Vista, Colo. encourages students to get outside their comfort zones, engage in place-based learning, and connect with themselves, their classmates, and nature. As a result, FVS alumni go on to attend some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world and find great success professionally. Fountain Valley believes in providing a unique, comprehensive college preparatory education that prepares students for the world beyond the classroom. FVS's global community thrives on interdisciplinary learning, with academic departments working together to provide a challenging curriculum while leaning into aspects of the Great American West that are specific to each grade level. Students get outside, using the land and surrounding areas to connect traditional learning with an emphasis on conceptual application. With a barn of over 60 horses, FVS offers opportunities for coed equestrian endeavors and western riding, further enhancing the connection between students and the stunning landscape that surrounds the School. Similar to the School's educational model, FVS athletics support a variety of traditional and Western pursuits, as students marvel at the 60,000-square-foot Julie and Spencer Penrose Athletic Center complete with the largest indoor high school climbing wall in the nation, and at the 12-miles of mountain biking trails that criss-cross a vast Prairie campus. We invite you to explore what makes our school truly unique in the academic landscape.

Chaminade, a Catholic, Marianist school, accepts students of all faiths. The curriculum challenges students of average to superior ability and includes a laptop program and over 150 hours of college credit. Extensive fine arts programs, 17 varsity sports and required community service programs, along with the 'Chaminade Family' help to form well-rounded men. Need-based tuition assistance is available. An English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is offered to new international students.