#1 Best Private High 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 High Schools in Essex County, NJ
Private high schools in Essex County, NJ with the highest overall grades. Top 11 of 11 schools.
#2 Best Private High 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 High 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
#4 Best Private High 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
#5 Best Private High 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
#6 Best Private High 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
#7 Best Private High 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
#8 Best Private High 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
#9 Best Private High 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
#10 Best Private High 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
#11 Best Private High 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.