#25 Best Independent Schools in the South
The Atlanta Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 84% of independent schools in Georgia
Roswell, GA
A+Overall grade312 students4 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.
#26 Best Independent Schools in the South
The Walker School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Marietta
Marietta, GA
A+Overall grade902 students8 students per teacher
#27 Best Independent Schools in the South
St. Johns Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Orange Park, FL
A+Overall grade460 students7 students per teacher
#28 Best Independent Schools in the South
Randolph School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 39 independent schools in Alabama
Huntsville, AL
A+Overall grade1,005 students8 students per teacher
#29 Best Independent Schools in the South
Tuscaloosa Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL
A+Overall grade412 students6 students per teacher
#30 Best Independent Schools in the South
Metairie Park Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Metairie
Metairie, LA
A+Overall grade678 students7 students per teacher
#31 Best Independent Schools in the South
Louise S McGehee School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
New Orleans, LA
A+Overall gradeAll girls390 students7 students per teacher
#32 Best Independent Schools in the South
Garrison Forest School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only all-girls school in Owings Mills
Owings Mills, MD
A+Overall gradeAll girls475 students6 students per teacher
#33 Best Independent Schools in the South
Seacrest Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Naples
Naples, FL
A+Overall grade398 students8 students per teacher
#34 Best Independent Schools in the South
The Salisbury School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Salisbury, MD
A+Overall grade334 students6 students per teacher
#35 Best Independent Schools in the South
Radford School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in El Paso
El Paso, TX
A+Overall grade256 students6 students per teacher
#36 Best Independent Schools in the South
Spartanburg Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Spartanburg, SC
A+Overall grade455 students7 students per teacher
#37 Best Independent Schools in the South
Durham Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Durham
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade1,213 students7 students per teacher
#38 Best Independent Schools in the South
Sagemont Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Weston, FL
A+Overall grade252 students9 students per teacher
#39 Best Independent Schools in the South
Augusta Preparatory Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Martinez, GA
A+Overall grade389 students8 students per teacher
#40 Best Independent Schools in the South
McDonogh School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 69 independent schools in Maryland
Owings Mills, MD
A+Overall grade1,416 students7 students per teacher
#41 Best Independent Schools in the South
Harpeth Hall School
Independent school · Grades 5–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Nashville, TN
A+Overall gradeAll girls724 students7 students per teacher
#42 Best Independent Schools in the South
Ashley Hall School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Charleston
Charleston, SC
A+Overall grade543 students6 students per teacher
#43 Best Independent Schools in the South
Fredericksburg Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Fredericksburg, VA
A+Overall grade402 students6 students per teacher
#44 Best Independent Schools in the South
Gulf Stream School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 91% of independent schools in Florida
Gulf Stream, FL
A+Overall grade243 students4 students per teacher
#45 Best Independent Schools in the South
Hutchison School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Memphis, TN
A+Overall gradeAll girls697 students7 students per teacher
#46 Best Independent Schools in the South
Alpha School, INC DBA Cornerstone Learning Communi
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 84% of independent schools in Florida
Tallahassee, FL
A+Overall grade154 students6 students per teacher
#47 Best Independent Schools in the South
The Waldorf School of Atlanta
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Decatur
Decatur, GA
A+Overall grade192 students5 students per teacher
#48 Best Independent Schools in the South
The Tatnall School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Delaware
Wilmington, DE
A+Overall grade457 students6 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.