The Best Private Schools in New London, Connecticut
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in New London. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Williams School
Independent College Preparatory School
The Williams School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school serving grades 6-12. Located on the Connecticut College campus, the school offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and individualized attention. Students benefit from shared facilities with the college, including science labs, athletic facilities, and the library. The school emphasizes critical thinking, writing skills, and college readiness through a comprehensive curriculum that includes Advanced Placement courses, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The historic campus provides a supportive learning environment with a strong sense of community.
Programs:
St. Bernard School
Catholic Diocese of Norwich
St. Bernard School is a Catholic, coeducational college preparatory school serving students in grades 6-12. Located just minutes from New London, the school offers a comprehensive academic program rooted in Catholic values while welcoming students of all faiths. The curriculum includes numerous Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. The 70-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities including a turf field and gymnasium, and dedicated arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence.
Programs:
The Morgan School
Independent Private School
The Morgan School is a private Montessori school serving students from infancy through 6th grade, conveniently located in neighboring Groton and serving families throughout the New London area. The school follows authentic Montessori principles with certified Montessori teachers and carefully prepared classroom environments. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, individualized instruction, and development of independence and social skills. The school features age-appropriate learning materials, outdoor play areas, and specialized spaces for art, music, and movement. The Morgan School is known for its warm, nurturing environment and strong parent community.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in New London, Connecticut
What are the primary private school options available for families in New London, Connecticut, and what distinguishes them?
New London, CT, offers a few key private secondary institutions, each with a distinct character. The Williams School is a co-ed, college-preparatory day school for grades 6-12 known for its rigorous academics and waterfront campus. St. Bernard School is a private, Catholic, co-ed college preparatory school serving grades 6-12, offering a faith-based education. The Morgan School, while historically a private academy, is now a public high school in the neighboring town of Clinton; this is an important distinction for New London parents to note to avoid confusion. For younger grades, families often look at Catholic elementary schools like St. Mary Star of the Sea or consider private day schools in surrounding towns like Norwich or Waterford.
How does tuition for private schools in New London, CT, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at New London's private schools is generally competitive with statewide averages for similar institutions. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like The Williams School and St. Bernard School typically ranges from approximately $20,000 to $30,000 for upper grades. Connecticut offers some financial aid resources, such as the Connecticut ACE Scholarship program for students in underperforming districts, which can be applied to private schools. More significantly, both major New London private schools have substantial endowment-funded financial aid programs and offer need-based assistance to a significant percentage of their student bodies. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as deadlines often precede admission decisions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do New London private schools offer that leverage the city's coastal location?
New London's identity as a maritime city is directly reflected in its private school curricula. The Williams School, located on the Thames River, has a renowned Marine Science program that includes hands-on research, a fleet of boats, and partnerships with nearby institutions like the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus. St. Bernard School also integrates marine and environmental studies into its science curriculum. Furthermore, the proximity to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Electric Boat, and Ocean Beach Park provides unique internship opportunities, guest speakers, and project-based learning in engineering, naval architecture, and environmental policy that are distinctive to this region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in New London, and are there specific considerations for local families?
The enrollment process for New London private schools like The Williams School and St. Bernard School follows a traditional independent school timeline. Applications for the following fall semester are typically due in January or February, with admission decisions and financial aid notifications released in March. Key steps include open houses (often in the fall), standardized testing (like the SSAT or ISEE), student interviews, and teacher recommendations. A specific consideration for New London families is the impact of military and submarine industry assignments; schools are accustomed to working with families from the Naval Submarine Base New London (Groton) and have flexible mid-year enrollment policies and support systems for transitioning students.
For families considering both options, what are the key factors when comparing New London Public Schools to the private schools in the city?
The comparison hinges on educational approach, resources, and scale. New London Public Schools are tuition-free and offer a diverse, comprehensive K-12 experience with specific magnet programs. The private schools in the city are significantly smaller, allowing for very low student-to-teacher ratios and highly personalized attention. They offer a focused college-preparatory curriculum without the constraints of state-mandated testing, which can allow for more innovative teaching. A practical factor is that New London's private schools are secondary-only (grades 6-12), so families must also plan for elementary education. The decision often comes down to whether a family prioritizes the specialized, intensive environment of a private school versus the broader community-based experience and no-cost model of the public system.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities