#1 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Hathaway Brown School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Shaker Heights
Shaker Heights, OH
A+Overall gradeAll girls665 students5 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
The highest-graded schools of this kind in the U.S.. Top 50 of 1,804 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
International School of Indiana
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Indiana
Indianapolis, IN
A+Overall grade423 students5 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
The Village School
Independent school · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Texas
Houston, TX
A+Overall grade1,548 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
San Francisco Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade334 students4 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Boca Prep International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Boca Raton, FL
A+Overall grade181 students8 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Commonwealth School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 85% of independent schools in Massachusetts
Boston, MA
A+Overall grade154 students4 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
The Bryn Mawr School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Baltimore, MD
A+Overall gradeAll girls709 students6 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
The Newman School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Boston, MA
A+Overall grade251 students5 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
International School of Tucson
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Tucson
Tucson, AZ
A+Overall grade225 students5 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Cardigan Mountain School
Independent school · Grades 6–9
Smaller classes than 86% of independent schools nationwide
Canaan, NH
A+Overall gradeAll boys231 students4 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Gulliver Preparatory School INC
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Florida
Pinecrest, FL
A+Overall grade2,139 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Pierrepont School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The only independent school in Westport
Westport, CT
A+Overall grade114 students3 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Lyndon Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Woodstock, GA
A+Overall grade147 students6 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Kamuela
Kamuela, HI
A+Overall grade576 students8 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Phoenix Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Arizona
Paradise Valley, AZ
A+Overall grade730 students5 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Turning Point School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Culver City
Culver City, CA
A+Overall grade241 students5 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Gems World Academy Chicago
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 82% of independent schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
A+Overall grade196 students3 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Viewpoint School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Calabasas, CA
A+Overall grade1,156 students5 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Westover School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
96% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Middlebury, CT
A+Overall gradeAll girls142 students5 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Durham Academy Middle School Div
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools in North Carolina
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade1,211 students5 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Browne Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 80% of independent schools in Virginia
Alexandria, VA
A+Overall grade192 students5 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Allendale Columbia School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 82% of independent schools in New York
Rochester, NY
A+Overall grade263 students4 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Putnam Science Academy
Independent school · Grades 8–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Putnam, CT
A+Overall grade130 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in the U.S.
Crestwell Higher Learning
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 76% of independent schools in Florida
Fort Myers, FL
A+Overall grade225 students7 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.