The Best Private Schools in Kingston, New Hampshire
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kingston. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Phillips Exeter Academy
Independent Boarding School
Phillips Exeter Academy is one of the nation's most prestigious independent boarding schools, located just 15 minutes from Kingston. The school is renowned for its distinctive Harkness teaching method, where students learn through discussion around oval tables in small classes. Exeter offers an exceptionally rigorous academic program with extensive Advanced Placement courses, cutting-edge STEM research opportunities, and comprehensive arts and athletics programs. The campus features world-class facilities including a massive library, advanced science centers, and extensive athletic complexes. While primarily a boarding school, it also serves day students from surrounding communities.
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The Governor's Academy
Independent Boarding School
The Governor's Academy is New England's oldest independent boarding school, located approximately 30 minutes from Kingston in Byfield, Massachusetts. Serving both boarding and day students from the region, the academy offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with particular strengths in leadership development, STEM education, and visual and performing arts. The 456-acre campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts centers. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character education alongside academic excellence, with strong college matriculation results and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Berwick Academy
Independent School
Berwick Academy is a prestigious Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school located just across the New Hampshire border in South Berwick, Maine, serving families throughout the Seacoast region including Kingston. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes, advanced STEM programs, comprehensive arts education, and competitive athletics. With a 230-year history, Berwick provides exceptional facilities including state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community engagement while maintaining strong college placement records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kingston, New Hampshire
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Kingston, New Hampshire?
While Kingston itself is a smaller town, it is situated within a region rich with prestigious private school options. The most notable are Berwick Academy (in South Berwick, ME, ~20 min drive), Phillips Exeter Academy (in Exeter, NH, ~15 min drive), and The Governor's Academy (in Byfield, MA, ~30 min drive). These are all independent day and boarding schools that attract students from Kingston and the broader Seacoast region. There are also smaller parochial and independent options in nearby towns like Hampton and Portsmouth. Transportation is a key consideration, as most families will need to drive or utilize school-provided bus services.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Kingston, NH, compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for the leading schools near Kingston is significant, reflecting their resources and reputations. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition ranges from approximately $45,000 to $55,000+ at schools like Berwick Academy, Phillips Exeter, and The Governor's Academy. It is critical to note that New Hampshire has a unique program called the "Education Tax Credit" scholarship, which can provide financial assistance to eligible families choosing non-public schools. Additionally, all major independent schools offer robust need-based financial aid. Parents should apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as these schools have substantial endowments dedicated to making attendance feasible for a diverse student body.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs draw Kingston families to schools like Phillips Exeter Academy and Berwick Academy?
These schools offer distinct, nationally recognized programs. Phillips Exeter is famous for its Harkness Table pedagogy, where all academic subjects are taught around an oval table via discussion, fostering exceptional critical thinking and communication skills. Berwick Academy offers a strong emphasis on innovation and technology, with dedicated spaces like the Innovation Lab and a comprehensive STEM curriculum. Furthermore, the coastal New Hampshire location provides unique extracurricular access, such as sailing teams, marine biology studies, and outdoor leadership programs that utilize the nearby Atlantic coast, forests, and mountains. These opportunities are a major differentiator from standard public school offerings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Kingston, NH, area?
The process for schools like Berwick, Exeter, and Governor's is highly structured and begins well over a year in advance. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically in the fall), registering for standardized tests (ISEE or SSAT) by late fall, submitting applications by January deadlines (often January 15th or 31st), and completing interviews and campus visits during the fall or winter. Admission decisions are released in March for the following academic year. For Kingston families, it's especially important to plan for the logistics of visits and interviews, which will require travel to the respective campuses in Maine, Exeter, or Massachusetts.
For a family living in Kingston, what are the major considerations when choosing between the local public school (Sanborn Regional) and a private independent school?
The decision hinges on several local factors. Sanborn Regional School District serves Kingston and offers a modern high school with various programs. Choosing a private school often involves seeking a specific pedagogical approach (like Harkness at Exeter), a potentially lower student-to-teacher ratio, or specialized facilities not available publicly. The trade-offs are substantial: private school requires a major financial investment and daily commute, while public school offers community integration and no tuition. Many Kingston families value the private option for its consistent, mission-driven culture across grades 6-12, as opposed to the district's structure where middle and high schools are separate campuses with potentially different environments.
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