The Best Private Schools in New Milford, Connecticut
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in New Milford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Rumsey Hall School
Independent
Rumsey Hall School is a highly respected junior boarding and day school serving students from kindergarten through 9th grade. Located just 15 minutes from New Milford, the school provides a nurturing environment with a strong academic foundation. The curriculum emphasizes core academic skills while offering robust arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs. The 147-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and extensive athletic facilities. Rumsey Hall is particularly noted for its supportive community and successful preparation of students for top secondary schools throughout New England.
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Canterbury School
Independent
Canterbury School is a prestigious co-educational, college preparatory boarding and day school serving grades 9-12. Founded in 1915, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and comprehensive college counseling. The 150-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, athletic centers, and performing arts spaces. Students benefit from a diverse range of extracurricular activities and competitive athletic programs. Canterbury consistently achieves strong college placement results and maintains a reputation for academic excellence throughout Connecticut.
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Wooster School
Independent
Wooster School is an independent college preparatory day school serving students from grades 5-12, located approximately 15 minutes from New Milford. The school offers a challenging academic program with a focus on character development and community engagement. Wooster's curriculum includes advanced placement courses, robust STEM programs, comprehensive arts education, and competitive athletics. The 127-acre campus features modern academic buildings, science and technology labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. The school is known for its inclusive community and strong college placement record, with graduates attending selective colleges and universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in New Milford, Connecticut
What are the primary types of private schools available in and around New Milford, CT, and how do they differ?
New Milford, CT, and its immediate surrounding Litchfield County area offer a distinctive mix of prestigious private day and boarding schools. The top options include Canterbury School (a co-ed Catholic, college-prep boarding/day school), Rumsey Hall School (a junior boarding/day school for grades K-9), and Wooster School (a co-ed Episcopal day school in Danbury, very close to New Milford). The key differences lie in their educational models: Canterbury and Rumsey offer boarding, which attracts a national/international student body, while Wooster is a day school with a strong local community focus. Additionally, Canterbury has a Catholic affiliation, Wooster is Episcopal, and Rumsey is non-sectarian. This variety allows parents to choose based on boarding needs, religious affiliation, and the specific age range of their child.
How does the tuition for private schools in the New Milford, CT, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the premier private schools near New Milford, CT, is generally at or above the Connecticut state average for private education, reflecting their high caliber and, in some cases, boarding programs. For the 2024-25 academic year, day student tuition at these schools often ranges from approximately $40,000 to $50,000. Boarding tuition is significantly higher. However, all these institutions are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Families are encouraged to apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as schools like Canterbury, Rumsey, and Wooster typically have substantial endowment funds dedicated to grants. Additionally, Connecticut's "CT Cares" program may offer some tax-advantaged savings options for educational expenses.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are signature offerings at the private schools near New Milford, CT?
Each school in the New Milford area has developed signature programs leveraging their unique settings and missions. Canterbury School, with its sprawling campus, emphasizes a comprehensive college-prep curriculum with strong arts and athletics, and its Catholic identity informs community service programs. Rumsey Hall School specializes in foundational education for younger students, with a renowned "Skills Program" that provides individualized academic support, making it exceptional for students who benefit from a structured, skill-building approach. Wooster School is noted for its innovative "Wooster Model" of education, which includes interdisciplinary projects, a strong focus on ethical leadership, and its "Engineer & Design" program. All schools utilize the natural and historical resources of Litchfield County for environmental science and outdoor education.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the New Milford, CT, region, and how far in advance should parents apply?
The enrollment process for competitive schools like Canterbury, Rumsey, and Wooster follows a traditional independent school timeline. The application season begins in the fall, approximately 12-14 months before desired entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in fall), submitting applications by January/February, completing student interviews and visits, and taking standardized tests like the SSAT or ISEE. Admission decisions are typically released in March for enrollment the following September. For boarding spots at Canterbury or Rumsey, planning is especially critical due to limited space. Parents in New Milford are advised to start researching and visiting schools at least 18 months in advance, particularly for entry into middle or high school grades.
For a family living in New Milford, what are the main considerations when choosing between the local high-performing public schools and the area's private day schools?
This is a key decision for New Milford families. The New Milford Public School District is well-regarded, offering a solid education with the benefits of a local community and no tuition. Choosing a private day school like Wooster or the day option at Canterbury involves considering several factors: a typically smaller student-to-teacher ratio for more personalized attention; a specific educational philosophy or religious foundation (e.g., Episcopal, Catholic); specialized programs for gifted learners or those needing extra support; and often, more extensive resources in arts, technology, and college counseling. The trade-off is the significant financial investment. The decision often hinges on whether a family seeks a specific type of community, pedagogical approach, or program not fully available in the comprehensive public system.
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