#1 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Mount St. Mary Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls216 students8 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Private schools in Erie County, NY with the highest overall grades. Top 37 of 37 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Mount Mercy Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 86% of Catholic schools in New York
Buffalo, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls180 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Catholic Academy West Buffalo
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 61% of Catholic schools in New York
Buffalo, NY
A+Overall grade170 students11 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Our Lady of Victory School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Lackawanna
Lackawanna, NY
A+Overall grade100 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Cardinal O'Hara High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 83% of Catholic schools in New York
Tonawanda, NY
A+Overall grade181 students9 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Buffalo Seminary
Independent school · Grades 9–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Buffalo, NY
A+Overall gradeAll girls149 students6 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Beyond Learning Center
Special education school · Pre-K only
Smaller classes than 77% of preschools in New York
Depew, NY
A+Overall grade202 students6 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Christ the King Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 76% of Catholic schools in New York
Amherst, NY
A+Overall grade117 students9 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. John Vianney School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 89% of Catholic schools in New York
Orchard Park, NY
A+Overall grade108 students6 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. John the Baptist School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of Catholic schools in New York
Alden, NY
A+Overall grade102 students7 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Christian Central Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Christian school in Williamsville
Williamsville, NY
AOverall grade220 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Marys School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 74% of Catholic schools in New York
East Amherst, NY
AOverall grade163 students9 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Mark School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Buffalo since at least 2011
Buffalo, NY
AOverall grade362 students11 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Christopher Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 69% of Catholic schools in New York
Tonawanda, NY
AOverall grade223 students10 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 64% of Catholic schools in New York
Buffalo, NY
AOverall gradeAll boys279 students11 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Peter and Paul School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 99% of Catholic schools in New York
Williamsville, NY
AOverall grade65 students4 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Jewish Heritage Day School/Ohr Temimim
Jewish day school · Grades Pre-K–11
The only Jewish school in Amherst
Amherst, NY
A-Overall grade66 students5 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Stephen School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 80% of Catholic schools in New York
Grand Island, NY
A-Overall grade133 students8 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Marys Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 70% of Catholic schools in New York
Lancaster, NY
A-Overall grade206 students10 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
The Park School of Buffalo
Alternative school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 60% of independent schools in New York
Snyder, NY
A-Overall grade236 students5 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Benedict School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 117% since 2011–12
Amherst, NY
B+Overall grade325 students13 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 62% of Catholic schools in New York
Williamsville, NY
B+Overall grade152 students11 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
Southtowns Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of Catholic schools in New York
Lake View, NY
B+Overall grade119 students8 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in Erie County, NY
St. Josephs Collegiate Institute
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The largest Catholic school in Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
B+Overall gradeAll boys647 students14 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.