#1 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
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 Ohio
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Ohio. Top 20 of 20 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
The Seven Hills School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
A+Overall grade907 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Lake Ridge Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
North Ridgeville, OH
A+Overall grade371 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Columbus School for Girls
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only all-girls school in Columbus
Columbus, OH
A+Overall gradeAll girls460 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Western Reserve Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Hudson
Hudson, OH
A+Overall grade439 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
The Miami Valley School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Dayton, OH
A+Overall grade428 students7 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Laurel School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Shaker Heights, OH
A+Overall gradeAll girls441 students7 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
The Columbus Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Gahanna
Gahanna, OH
AOverall grade1,083 students9 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
The Greater Dayton School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–4
Smaller classes than 89% of independent schools in Ohio
Dayton, OH
AOverall grade85 students4 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Laurel School Butler Campus
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 74% of independent schools in Ohio
Novelty, OH
A-Overall grade87 students6 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Old Trail School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Bath, OH
B+Overall grade342 students6 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Birchwood School of Hawken
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
B+Overall grade231 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Cincinnati Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 430% since 2011–12
Cincinnati, OH
B+Overall grade233 students9 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Ridgewood School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Springfield
Springfield, OH
B+Overall grade129 students11 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Discovery School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
The only independent school in Mansfield
Mansfield, OH
BOverall grade104 students12 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
The Seven Hills School -Doherty Campus
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Cincinnati, OH
BOverall grade103 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Clintonville Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 4 independent schools in Columbus
Columbus, OH
BOverall grade115 students12 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Spring Garden Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
An independent school in Copley
Copley, OH
BOverall grade147 students9 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Hawken School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 39 independent schools in Ohio
Chesterland, OH
B-Overall grade1,101 students14 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Ohio
Portsmouth STEM Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
The only independent school in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, OH
B-Overall grade175 students14 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.