The Best Private Schools in Exeter, New Hampshire
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Exeter. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Phillips Exeter Academy
Independent
Phillips Exeter Academy is one of the nation's most prestigious independent boarding and day schools, renowned for its innovative Harkness teaching method where students and teachers sit around oval tables for collaborative discussion. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with over 450 courses across 18 academic departments. Facilities include the state-of-the-art Phelps Science Center, Forrestal-Bowld Music Center, and The David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Theater and Dance. The 671-acre campus features extensive athletic facilities including the Love Gymnasium and Thompson Ice Arena.
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Berwick Academy
Independent
Located just 15 minutes from Exeter in South Berwick, Maine, Berwick Academy serves students from the Seacoast region including Exeter families. This Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program with small class sizes and individualized attention. The 80-acre campus features modern science labs, innovation spaces, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. Berwick emphasizes character education alongside academic excellence, with strong arts, athletics, and community service programs. The school maintains a diverse student body with students coming from over 50 communities across New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.
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St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester
St. Thomas Aquinas High School serves students from throughout the Seacoast region, including many from Exeter. This Catholic college preparatory school offers a comprehensive academic program grounded in faith-based education. The school features modern science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, a performing arts center, and competitive athletic programs. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, students receive personalized attention and support. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, honors tracks, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The school community emphasizes service, leadership, and character development alongside academic achievement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Exeter, New Hampshire
What are the main types of private schools available in Exeter, NH, and how do they differ?
Exeter, NH, offers a distinctive range of private schools catering to different educational philosophies and age groups. The most prominent is Phillips Exeter Academy, a world-renowned co-educational boarding and day school for grades 9-12, famous for its Harkness teaching method. For families seeking a Pre-K through 12th grade day school, Berwick Academy (located just across the border in South Berwick, ME) is a major draw for Exeter residents, offering a college-preparatory program. St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover provides a Catholic, co-educational option for grades 9-12. This mix means Exeter parents can choose between a globally-focused boarding environment, a continuous Pre-K-12 day program, and faith-based education, all within a short commute.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Exeter, NH, area compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition in the Exeter area varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2023-2024 academic year, Phillips Exeter Academy's day student tuition is approximately $50,000, while boarding tuition is over $60,000. Berwick Academy's tuition ranges from about $30,000 for upper school to $20,000 for lower school. St. Thomas Aquinas High School's tuition is roughly $15,000. Importantly, all these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid. Phillips Exeter and Berwick Academy have large endowments dedicated to making their programs accessible, with Exeter meeting 100% of demonstrated need. New Hampshire also has the "Education Tax Credit" program, which can provide scholarships for students attending non-public schools, though availability is limited. It's crucial to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admission.
What are the enrollment timelines and key deadlines for private schools serving Exeter, NH?
Timelines are strict and often earlier than public school registration. For Phillips Exeter Academy, the application deadline for fall entry is typically January 15th, with decisions released in March. Berwick Academy has a rolling admissions process but recommends applying by January 31st for the best chance at placement and financial aid. St. Thomas Aquinas High School usually has a winter deadline (January/February) for the following academic year. Most schools require standardized testing (SSAT or ISEE), teacher recommendations, transcripts, and a campus interview. Given the competitive nature, especially for Phillips Exeter, families should begin the process 12-18 months in advance. Open houses are usually held in the fall.
Beyond academics, what unique opportunities or environments do Exeter-area private schools provide due to their specific locations?
Exeter-area private schools leverage the New Hampshire Seacoast and New England culture to offer unique programs. Phillips Exeter Academy's location in a historic New England town provides a classic campus setting with easy access to Boston, the University of New Hampshire, and the coast, enriching its science, marine biology, and internship programs. Berwick Academy's proximity to Portsmouth and the Piscataqua River supports strong arts integration and outdoor education. St. Thomas Aquinas emphasizes community service within the broader Seacoast NH and southern Maine region. All schools utilize the region's natural environment for athletics and outdoor activities, from skiing to sailing, which are integral parts of their curricula and community life.
For families living in Exeter, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation to these private schools?
Transportation logistics are a key factor. For Phillips Exeter Academy day students, the school is within the town, making for a convenient commute. Berwick Academy, while a top choice for many Exeter families, is located in Maine, a 20-25 minute drive. The school operates bus routes that serve the Exeter area, which can mitigate the commute. St. Thomas Aquinas in Dover is about a 30-minute drive north. Exeter's proximity to I-95 and Route 101 makes these commutes feasible but requires planning. Carpooling networks are often organized by parent associations. It's important to factor in commute time for after-school activities and events, which can be significant for schools outside the immediate town center.
Private Education Insights
Navigating K-12 Private Academy Costs in Exeter, NH: A Parent's Financial Guide
For families in Exeter, New Hampshire, considering a private K-12 education for their children is an exciting prospect, often accompanied by significant questions about the investment. Understanding the landscape of k12 private academy cost in our area is the first, crucial step in this important journey. Exeter is uniquely positioned with a range of prestigious institutions, each with its own financial structure, making a localized perspective essential. While the figures can initially seem daunting, a clear breakdown and knowledge of available resources can transform this from a barrier into a manageable part of your family’s educational planning.
The spectrum of k12 private academy cost in Exeter is broad, reflecting the diversity of educational models. Phillips Exeter Academy, as a world-renowned boarding and day school, represents one end of the spectrum, with a comprehensive fee that covers an exceptional breadth of academic, extracurricular, and residential resources. For day students, this cost is substantial and is designed to support a faculty of scholar-educators, cutting-edge facilities, and a need-blind admission policy that commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. This is a critical point: the stated tuition is rarely the full story. Berwick Academy, just across the border in Maine but serving many Seacoast families, operates as an independent day school with a significant tuition that supports its innovative learning spaces and programs. St. Thomas Aquinas High School, as a Catholic diocesan school, often presents a different model, with a lower base tuition supported by parish subsidies and a mission of accessibility, though fees still represent a major family commitment.
Beyond the headline tuition, it’s vital for Exeter parents to budget for additional costs that are part of the k12 private academy cost equation. These can include technology fees, books, lab supplies, athletic equipment, art materials, and transportation, especially if you live outside a school’s immediate bus route. Field trips, optional international travel, and specific club memberships can add to annual expenses. When visiting schools like Phillips Exeter, Berwick, or St. Thomas Aquinas, be sure to ask for a detailed list of anticipated additional fees for a typical student in your child’s grade level. This will help you build a complete and realistic annual budget.
The most important message for Exeter families is that financial assistance is widely available and actively encouraged. Very few families pay the full published cost. Each academy has a robust financial aid office dedicated to making their education accessible. This aid typically comes in the form of grants, not loans, that do not need to be repaid. The process involves submitting forms like the SSS (School and Student Services) profile, which provides a detailed analysis of your family’s financial situation. New Hampshire also offers the Education Tax Credit program, which can provide scholarships for middle-income families. Our advice is to never assume you won’t qualify. Begin conversations about aid early, be transparent during the application process, and view financial aid as a standard part of the enrollment discussion at any k12 private academy in the Exeter area. This proactive approach opens doors to the exceptional, personalized education that defines our local private schools.
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