#1 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Grier School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The only all-girls school in Tyrone
Tyrone, PA
A+Overall gradeAll girls229 students5 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Pennsylvania. Top 50 of 68 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Linden Hall
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The only independent school in Lititz
Lititz, PA
A+Overall gradeAll girls99 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Ellis School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
A+Overall gradeAll girls367 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Hill School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Pottstown, PA
A+Overall grade539 students6 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Wormleysburg, PA
A+Overall grade256 students6 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Agnes Irwin School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Bryn Mawr, PA
A+Overall gradeAll girls599 students7 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
French International School of Philadelphia
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Bala Cynwyd
Bala Cynwyd, PA
A+Overall grade292 students4 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Shady Side Academy Junior School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The smallest classes of any independent school in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
A+Overall grade263 students4 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Waldorf School of Pittsburgh
Independent school · Grades 1–8
Smaller classes than 85% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, PA
A+Overall grade121 students5 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Grayson School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Radnor
Radnor, PA
A+Overall grade160 students4 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Mercersburg Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Mercersburg, PA
A+Overall grade439 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Lancaster Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Lancaster
Lancaster, PA
A+Overall grade558 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Meadowbrook School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 89% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Meadowbrook, PA
A+Overall grade79 students5 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Shady Side Academy Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 83% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, PA
A+Overall grade152 students5 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
St. Peters School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 66% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
A+Overall grade121 students6 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Summit Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Herman, PA
A+Overall gradeAll boys115 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
A+Overall grade1,058 students8 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Sewickley Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Sewickley
Sewickley, PA
A+Overall grade445 students7 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Kiski School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Saltsburg, PA
A+Overall gradeAll boys189 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Girard College
Independent school · Grades 1–8
Smaller classes than 87% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
A+Overall grade183 students5 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Kindercare Learning Center
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–K
The smallest classes of any preschool in Lancaster
Lancaster, PA
A+Overall grade80 students3 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
St. Edmund's Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Pittsburgh, PA
A+Overall grade270 students7 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
Susquehanna Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of independent schools in Pennsylvania
Marietta, PA
A+Overall grade87 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Independent Schools in Pennsylvania
The Crefeld School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
A+Overall grade88 students4 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.