#1 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
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
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
The highest-graded schools of this kind in New Hampshire. Top 15 of 15 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Dublin School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Dublin, NH
A+Overall grade169 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Phillips Exeter Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The largest of 29 independent schools in New Hampshire
Exeter, NH
A+Overall grade1,055 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Proctor Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in New Hampshire
Andover, NH
A+Overall grade381 students5 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Crossroads Academy
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 82% of independent schools in New Hampshire
Lyme, NH
A+Overall grade114 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
New Hampton School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
One of the most diverse private schools in New Hampshire
New Hampton, NH
A+Overall grade315 students5 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
2nd Nature Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–11
Growing: enrollment up 111% since 2011–12
Nashua, NH
AOverall grade80 students7 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Tilton School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Tilton, NH
A-Overall grade175 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
High Mowing School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Wilton, NH
B+Overall grade333 students11 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Sant Bani School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Sanbornton since at least 2011
Sanbornton, NH
B+Overall grade116 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Kimball Union Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in New Hampshire
Meriden, NH
BOverall grade338 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Heronfield Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–8
An independent school in Hampton Falls
Hampton Falls, NH
BOverall grade94 students10 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
Busche Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
One of the most diverse private schools in New Hampshire
Chester, NH
BOverall grade120 students15 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
World Academy
Independent school · Grades K–8
The largest independent school in Nashua
Nashua, NH
B-Overall grade309 students11 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in New Hampshire
New England School of the Arts
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Lebanon
Lebanon, NH
B-Overall grade139 students32 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.