#1 Best Private Middle 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 Middle Schools in Essex County, NJ
Private schools in Essex County, NJ with middle-school grades and the highest overall grades. Top 20 of 20 schools.
#2 Best Private Middle 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
#3 Best Private Middle 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
#4 Best Private Middle 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 Private Middle 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
#6 Best Private Middle 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
#7 Best Private Middle 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 Private Middle 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 Private Middle 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
#10 Best Private Middle 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
#11 Best Private Middle 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
#12 Best Private Middle 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
#13 Best Private Middle 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
#14 Best Private Middle 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
#15 Best Private Middle 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
#16 Best Private Middle 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
#17 Best Private Middle 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
#18 Best Private Middle 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
#19 Best Private Middle 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
#20 Best Private Middle 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.