#1 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in the South
The highest-graded schools of this kind in the South. Top 50 of 728 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
#3 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
#4 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
#5 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
#6 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
#7 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
#8 Best Independent Schools in the South
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
#9 Best Independent Schools in the South
Allen Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Bryan
Bryan, TX
A+Overall grade352 students5 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in the South
Lowell School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools nationwide
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade270 students4 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in the South
Ronald Reagan Secondary School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Chester
Chester, VA
A+Overall grade168 students6 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in the South
The Magellan International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Austin
Austin, TX
A+Overall grade442 students5 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in the South
Foxcroft School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Middleburg, VA
A+Overall gradeAll girls147 students6 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in the South
Atlanta Girls School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Atlanta, GA
A+Overall gradeAll girls184 students8 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in the South
Gilman School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
A+Overall gradeAll boys1,017 students6 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in the South
River Oaks School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 91% of independent schools in Louisiana
Monroe, LA
A+Overall grade217 students5 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in the South
New Garden Friends School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 86% of independent schools in North Carolina
Greensboro, NC
A+Overall grade224 students5 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in the South
Nysmith School for the Gifted
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 86% of independent schools in Virginia
Herndon, VA
A+Overall grade551 students5 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in the South
The Oakwood School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 78% of independent schools in North Carolina
Greenville, NC
A+Overall grade313 students5 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in the South
Ascension Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The only independent school in Amarillo
Amarillo, TX
A+Overall grade131 students5 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in the South
Atlanta International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Georgia
Atlanta, GA
A+Overall grade1,238 students8 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in the South
Capitol Hill Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of independent schools nationwide
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade221 students4 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in the South
Cape Henry Collegiate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA
A+Overall grade976 students5 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in the South
Pine Crest Lower School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 99% of independent schools in Florida
Fort Lauderdale, FL
A+Overall grade541 students2 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.