#1 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Phillips Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Andover
Andover, MA
A+Overall grade1,154 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Private schools in Essex County, MA with the highest overall grades. Top 40 of 40 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Fellowship Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
The only Christian school in Methuen
Methuen, MA
A+Overall grade127 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Brooks School
Episcopal school · Grades 9–12
The only Christian school in North Andover
North Andover, MA
A+Overall grade363 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Bradford Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 70% of Christian schools in Massachusetts
Bradford, MA
A+Overall grade186 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Tower School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 80% of independent schools in Massachusetts
Marblehead, MA
A+Overall grade219 students4 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
North Shore Christian
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
One of the most diverse private schools in Massachusetts
Lynn, MA
A+Overall grade118 students7 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Bishop Fenwick High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Peabody, MA
A+Overall grade458 students12 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Shore Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Beverly
Beverly, MA
A+Overall grade275 students5 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
The Islamic Academy for Peace
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 50% since 2011–12
Methuen, MA
A+Overall grade179 students8 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Our Lady of the Assumption SCH
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Lynnfield since at least 2011
Lynnfield, MA
AOverall grade306 students11 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
The Saints Academy
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Beverly
Beverly, MA
AOverall grade139 students10 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Epstein Hillel School
Jewish day school · Grades K–8
The only Jewish school in Marblehead
Marblehead, MA
AOverall grade108 students4 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Harborlight Montessori
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Montessori school in Beverly
Beverly, MA
AOverall grade125 students4 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
St. Monica School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Methuen since at least 2011
Methuen, MA
AOverall grade229 students14 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Glen Urquhart School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Beverly, MA
AOverall grade174 students6 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
St. John the Baptist School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Peabody since at least 2011
Peabody, MA
AOverall grade351 students13 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
St. Augustine Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Andover
Andover, MA
AOverall grade320 students13 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
The Governors Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Byfield, MA
AOverall grade413 students7 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Esperanza Academy
Episcopal school · Grades 5–8
The only Christian school in Lawrence
Lawrence, MA
A-Overall gradeAll girls63 students7 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
St. Johns Preparatory School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 6–12
The only all-boys school in Danvers
Danvers, MA
A-Overall gradeAll boys1,453 students10 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Step by Step Chinese Learning Center
Religious school · Grades 1–8
One of the most diverse private schools in Massachusetts
Andover, MA
A-Overall grade61 students15 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Bellesini Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 5–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Lawrence
Lawrence, MA
B+Overall grade123 students11 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
The Academy at Penguin Hall
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Wenham, MA
B+Overall gradeAll girls107 students7 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in Essex County, MA
Andover School of Montessori
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Montessori school in Andover
Andover, MA
B+Overall grade95 students7 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.