The Best Private Schools in Stratham, New Hampshire
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Stratham. 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, located just minutes from Stratham in neighboring Exeter. The academy is renowned for its innovative Harkness teaching method, where students and teachers sit around an oval table for collaborative, discussion-based learning. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with exceptional STEM programs, extensive arts offerings, and competitive athletic teams. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1 and a diverse international student body, Exeter provides an intellectually rigorous environment that consistently produces graduates who attend top universities worldwide.
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Berwick Academy
Independent
Berwick Academy, located just across the border in Maine, serves many families from the Stratham area as the region's oldest independent school. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade program with a strong emphasis on academic rigor, character development, and community engagement. Berwick features state-of-the-art facilities including innovation labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The curriculum includes extensive Advanced Placement offerings, robust arts programs, and competitive athletics. With a commitment to developing well-rounded students, Berwick maintains small class sizes and personalized learning approaches while preparing students for top colleges and universities.
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Portsmouth Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Portsmouth Christian Academy serves families throughout the Seacoast region, including Stratham, with a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade program. The school combines rigorous academics with Christian values, offering advanced placement courses, a dedicated STEM academy, and competitive athletic programs. The 40-acre campus features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic fields. PCA emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with small class sizes ensuring personalized attention. The school maintains strong college placement records and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Stratham, New Hampshire
What are the main private school options available for families residing in Stratham, New Hampshire?
While Stratham itself is primarily served by the highly-regarded Stratham Memorial School (public K-5), families seeking private education often look to prestigious institutions in the surrounding Seacoast region. The most notable include Phillips Exeter Academy in nearby Exeter (a world-renowned independent day and boarding school for grades 9-12), Portsmouth Christian Academy in Dover (a Pre-K through 12 Christian school), and Berwick Academy in South Berwick, ME (a Pre-K through 12 independent school just across the state line). These schools draw a significant number of students from Stratham due to their academic reputations and proximity.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Stratham, NH compare, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Phillips Exeter Academy's day student tuition is approximately $50,000+, while boarding is higher. Portsmouth Christian Academy's high school tuition is around $15,000-$20,000, and Berwick Academy's upper school tuition is roughly $40,000+. All these schools offer need-based financial aid to qualifying families. New Hampshire also has the Education Tax Credit Program, which can provide scholarships for students to attend private schools, including religious ones, which is a key state-specific financial consideration for Stratham residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible from Stratham offer?
The schools near Stratham provide distinct specializations. Phillips Exeter Academy is famous for its Harkness teaching method, a student-centered discussion format used in all classes, and offers an unparalleled breadth of advanced courses and global study programs. Portsmouth Christian Academy emphasizes a curriculum integrated with Christian worldview and offers robust arts and athletics. Berwick Academy features signature programs like its STEM-focused "B-Well" initiative and extensive outdoor education, leveraging its Maine campus. This variety allows Stratham parents to choose based on pedagogical philosophy and programmatic focus.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Stratham, NH area?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Phillips Exeter Academy and Berwick Academy, the admission cycle for the following fall typically opens in the summer or early fall, with application deadlines between January and February. Key steps include submitting standardized test scores (like the SSAT or ISEE), transcripts, teacher recommendations, and attending a required interview and campus tour. Due to their competitive nature, especially for entry grades (9th and 6th), Stratham families are advised to start research and visits at least 12-18 months in advance.
As a Stratham resident, how should I weigh the decision between the local public schools and the surrounding private options?
Stratham is part of the Exeter Region Cooperative School District (SAU 16), which includes the acclaimed Exeter High School. The public system is consistently high-performing, which is an important factor. The decision often hinges on specific educational goals. Families may consider private options for a particular teaching methodology (like Harkness at Exeter), a religious foundation (PCA), or a specific campus culture and smaller class sizes. Proximity and commute are also major local considerations, as the private options require daily travel to Exeter, Dover, or South Berwick, whereas Stratham's public schools are community-centered. Many families tour both their assigned public school and private alternatives to compare environments directly.
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