#1 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
British International School of NY
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall grade262 students5 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The highest-graded schools of this kind in New York, NY. Top 42 of 42 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Dwight School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall grade774 students5 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Ideal School of Manhattan
Independent school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 96% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade174 students2 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Allen-Stevenson School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 89% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll boys385 students3 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The School at Columbia University
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 62% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade405 students5 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Town School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 71% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade296 students5 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
St. Davids School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 92% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll boys405 students3 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Brearley School
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls781 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Corlears School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 94% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade77 students2 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
York Prep School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 80% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade351 students4 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Dalton School
Independent school · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade1,330 students6 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Village Community School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 61% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade304 students5 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Alexander Robertson School
Independent school · Grades K–5
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade61 students3 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Birch Wathen Lenox School
Independent school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 92% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade326 students3 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Hewitt School
Independent school · Grades K–12
96% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls469 students6 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall grade1,138 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Nightingale-Bamford School
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls707 students7 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Spence School
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls772 students6 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Brearley School
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls773 students7 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Dalton School
Independent school · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade1,330 students6 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Speyer Legacy School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 254% since 2011–12
New York, NY
A+Overall grade340 students7 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Studio School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of the most diverse private schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade66 students6 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
Manhattan Country School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of the most diverse private schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade239 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in New York, NY
The Chapin School
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls825 students6 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.