#1 Best Catholic 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 Catholic Schools in Essex County, NJ
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Essex County, NJ. Top 16 of 16 schools.
#2 Best Catholic 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 Catholic 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 Catholic 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
#5 Best Catholic 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
#6 Best Catholic 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
#7 Best Catholic 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
#8 Best Catholic 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
#9 Best Catholic 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
#10 Best Catholic 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
#11 Best Catholic 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
#12 Best Catholic 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
#13 Best Catholic 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
#14 Best Catholic 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
#15 Best Catholic Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Michael School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Serving families in Newark since at least 2011
Newark, NJ
BOverall grade251 students18 students per teacher
#16 Best Catholic Schools in Essex County, NJ
St. Joseph Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in East Orange
East Orange, NJ
B-Overall grade174 students16 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.