#1 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Lacordaire Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Upper Montclair, NJ
A+Overall grade255 students8 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Private schools in Essex County, NJ with the highest overall grades. Top 26 of 26 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Mount Saint Dominic Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 83% of Catholic schools in New Jersey
Caldwell, NJ
A+Overall gradeAll girls254 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Thomas the Apostle School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Bloomfield
Bloomfield, NJ
A+Overall grade163 students8 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Far Brook School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 81% of independent schools in New Jersey
Short Hills, NJ
A+Overall grade198 students5 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Cassian Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 82% of Catholic schools in New Jersey
Upper Montclair, NJ
A+Overall grade207 students9 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Vincent Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Newark
Newark, NJ
A+Overall gradeAll girls197 students9 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Aquinas Academy
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Livingston
Livingston, NJ
A+Overall grade165 students9 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
The Montclair Kimberley Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in New Jersey
Montclair, NJ
A+Overall grade1,034 students6 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Our Lady of the Lake School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Verona
Verona, NJ
A+Overall grade148 students11 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Our Lady of Sorrows School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of Catholic schools in New Jersey
South Orange, NJ
A+Overall grade184 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Seton Hall Preparatory School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The only Catholic school in West Orange
West Orange, NJ
A+Overall gradeAll boys981 students13 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Peters School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of Catholic schools in New Jersey
Belleville, NJ
A+Overall grade102 students9 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Golda Och Academy
Jewish day school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Jewish school in West Orange
West Orange, NJ
A+Overall grade424 students6 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy Rae Kushner Yeshiva
Jewish day school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Jewish school in Livingston
Livingston, NJ
AOverall grade690 students5 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
The Pingry Lower School
Independent school · Grades K–5
Smaller classes than 66% of independent schools in New Jersey
Short Hills, NJ
AOverall grade324 students5 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Rose of Lima Academy
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Short Hills
Short Hills, NJ
AOverall grade152 students12 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Maarif School
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 52% since 2019–20
Bloomfield, NJ
AOverall grade199 students8 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Montclair Cooperative School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Montclair, NJ
AOverall grade104 students7 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Catherine of Siena School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Cedar Grove since at least 2011
Cedar Grove, NJ
A-Overall grade180 students13 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Madrasatu Ahlis Sunnah
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 49% since 2011–12
East Orange, NJ
B+Overall grade198 students8 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Immaculate Conception High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The only Catholic school in Montclair
Montclair, NJ
B+Overall grade164 students11 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Abundant Life Academy
Pentecostal school · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Nutley, NJ
B+Overall grade367 students14 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Benedict's Prep
Independent Catholic school · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest Catholic schools in New Jersey
Newark, NJ
B+Overall grade965 students13 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in Essex County, NJ
Alif Muhammad Nia School
Independent school · Grades 8–12
Serving families in Newark since at least 2011
Newark, NJ
BOverall grade100 students33 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.