The Best Private Schools in Woodbury, Connecticut
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Woodbury. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Taft School
Independent
The Taft School is a highly prestigious co-educational boarding and day school located just 15 minutes from Woodbury. Founded in 1890, Taft offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and a comprehensive athletics program. The school is known for its strong community values, dedicated faculty, and outstanding college placement record. With a beautiful 220-acre campus featuring modern academic buildings, arts centers, and athletic facilities, Taft provides students with extensive extracurricular opportunities and personalized attention.
Programs:
Canterbury School
Independent Catholic
Canterbury School is a co-educational Catholic boarding and day school serving students from Woodbury and surrounding communities. Founded in 1915, the school combines rigorous academics with character development in a supportive community environment. Canterbury offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong STEM programs, competitive athletics, and vibrant arts offerings. The 150-acre campus features modern academic facilities, residence halls, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes personalized learning with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
Programs:
Chase Collegiate School
Independent
Chase Collegiate School is an independent day school located in Waterbury, approximately 15 minutes from Woodbury. Founded in 1865, Chase offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade education with a strong college preparatory focus. The school is distinguished by its International Baccalaureate program and innovative approach to education that balances academic rigor with character development. The 47-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, arts studios, and athletic facilities. Chase emphasizes small class sizes, individualized attention, and a diverse range of extracurricular activities including competitive sports, performing arts, and community service programs.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Woodbury, Connecticut
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Woodbury, Connecticut?
Woodbury itself is home to several well-regarded private institutions, most notably The Taft School in Watertown (just minutes from Woodbury), which is a prestigious co-ed boarding and day school. In the immediate surrounding Litchfield County area, families also frequently consider Canterbury School in New Milford and Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury. While Woodbury has excellent public schools, these private options provide diverse educational philosophies, from Taft's rigorous college preparatory curriculum to Chase Collegiate's emphasis on innovation and global perspective, all within a commutable distance for Woodbury residents.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Woodbury, CT area compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for day students at top-tier private schools in the Woodbury vicinity, such as Taft, Canterbury, and Chase Collegiate, is generally above the Connecticut state average for private schools, often ranging from approximately $40,000 to $50,000+ per year. Connecticut's private schools are known for robust financial aid programs funded by substantial endowments. For instance, The Taft School awards millions in need-based aid annually. Families in Woodbury should apply for financial aid simultaneously with admissions, using tools like the Clarity Application, as these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and making education accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools near Woodbury that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Woodbury area uniquely integrate the region's natural and historical resources. The Taft School utilizes its location near the Naugatuck River and Litchfield Hills for environmental science programs and outdoor leadership. Canterbury School emphasizes its connection to the arts community of Litchfield County. Furthermore, Chase Collegiate School's urban proximity in Waterbury allows for unique partnerships with local businesses and cultural institutions for internships and community service. These schools often feature specialized programs in sustainability, equestrian studies, and historic preservation that are directly inspired by the characteristics of Northwestern Connecticut.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Taft near Woodbury, and how far in advance should parents plan?
For prestigious schools like The Taft School, which serves Woodbury families, the process is highly structured and begins well over a year in advance. The standard timeline involves starting research and campus visits in the spring of the student's 7th grade year for 9th grade entry. Key deadlines for applications, standardized testing (SSAT/ISEE), and interviews typically fall between January and February of 8th grade for admission the following fall. Given the competitive nature, Woodbury parents are advised to initiate the process 18-24 months before desired enrollment, especially for boarding spots at Taft, which attract a national and international applicant pool.
For a family in Woodbury with excellent public schools, what are the key factors to consider when deciding between the local public system and a private school in the area?
Woodbury is served by the Region 14 school district (Nonnewaug High School), which is highly rated. The decision to pursue private education often hinges on specific family priorities. Key considerations include: seeking a particular educational philosophy (e.g., Taft's traditional liberal arts focus), a desire for smaller average class sizes and individualized attention, specialized programs in the arts or sciences not available publicly, or a boarding option for broader exposure. For day students, the commute to a private school is a practical factor. Many Woodbury families value the deep community connection of the public system, while others choose private for a specific preparatory environment with extensive college counseling networks and global student bodies.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities