#1 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
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
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
The highest-graded schools of this kind in the Northeast. Top 50 of 416 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
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
#3 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
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
#4 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Pierrepont School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The only independent school in Westport
Westport, CT
A+Overall grade114 students3 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
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
#6 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
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
#7 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
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
#8 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Woodmere
Woodmere, NY
A+Overall grade114 students3 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
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
#10 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
British International School of NY
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall grade262 students5 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Belmont Day School
Independent school · Grade 1
The only independent school in Belmont
Belmont, MA
A+Overall grade334 students4 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
St. Ann's School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Brooklyn, NY
A+Overall grade1,050 students5 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Dwight School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New York, NY
A+Overall grade774 students5 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
The Ideal School of Manhattan
Independent school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 96% of independent schools in New York
New York, NY
A+Overall grade174 students2 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
The Storm King School
Independent school · Grades 8–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
A+Overall grade172 students6 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
The Hudson School
Independent school · Grades 5–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Hoboken
Hoboken, NJ
A+Overall grade195 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Grier School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The only all-girls school in Tyrone
Tyrone, PA
A+Overall gradeAll girls229 students5 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Miss Hall's School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 92% of independent schools in Massachusetts
Pittsfield, MA
A+Overall gradeAll girls190 students3 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Meadowbrook School of Weston
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of independent schools in Massachusetts
Weston, MA
A+Overall grade295 students5 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
The Foote School
Independent school · Grades K–9
Smaller classes than 83% of independent schools in Connecticut
New Haven, CT
A+Overall grade426 students4 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Kents Hill School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Kents Hill, ME
A+Overall grade206 students7 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Ross School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
East Hampton, NY
A+Overall grade286 students5 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Phillips Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Andover
Andover, MA
A+Overall grade1,154 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in the Northeast
Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall School
Independent school · Grades 8–12
The only independent school in Waltham
Waltham, MA
A+Overall grade198 students5 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.