The Best Private Schools in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Berkeley Heights. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Kent Place School
Independent
Kent Place School is a highly regarded independent all-girls day school serving students from pre-K through grade 12. Located just minutes from Berkeley Heights in Summit, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional STEM programs, extensive arts offerings, and leadership development opportunities. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Kent Place consistently ranks among the top private schools in New Jersey with a strong track record of college placements at selective universities.
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Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child
Holy Child Schools
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is a Catholic independent school serving both coeducational elementary grades (K-6) and all-girls middle and high school grades (7-12). Located in nearby Summit, the school combines rigorous academics with character education rooted in Catholic values. The comprehensive curriculum includes advanced STEM courses, extensive arts programs, competitive athletics, and community service opportunities. Oak Knoll features modern academic facilities, science and innovation labs, and beautiful campus grounds that serve students from Berkeley Heights and surrounding communities.
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The Wardlaw+Hartridge School
Independent
The Wardlaw+Hartridge School is a prestigious coeducational independent school serving students from pre-K through grade 12. Located in nearby Edison, the school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, providing students with multiple pathways to academic excellence. The 36-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes global education and character development while maintaining small class sizes and personalized attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, and what are their key characteristics?
While Berkeley Heights itself is primarily served by its highly-rated public school district, several prestigious private schools are located in nearby communities and commonly serve Berkeley Heights families. The most prominent are Kent Place School in Summit (all-girls, JK-12, known for strong STEM and leadership programs), The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison (co-ed, PreK-12, with a diverse international community and robust arts), and Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit (all-girls, K-12, with a co-ed elementary, emphasizing holistic education). These schools require commuting but are accessible from Berkeley Heights. There are also various parochial and independent elementary options in surrounding Union and Somerset counties.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Berkeley Heights, NJ, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the leading day schools near Berkeley Heights is significant, often exceeding the New Jersey private school average. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition for these schools ranges from approximately $35,000 to over $50,000 for upper grades. New Jersey has some of the highest private school tuitions in the nation. However, these institutions are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer substantial need-based financial aid. Families should apply for aid simultaneously with admissions, using platforms like Clarity or SSS. Additionally, New Jersey's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" tax credit program, while limited, can provide some scholarship funding for students attending certain non-public schools.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Berkeley Heights area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools near Berkeley Heights often provide specialized programs that may be more expansive or intensive than typical public offerings. For example, Kent Place has a renowned Center for Innovation, Design, and Engineering. The Wardlaw+Hartridge School emphasizes global citizenship with extensive world language options and travel programs. Oak Knoll offers a comprehensive Holy Child Network educational philosophy focused on intellectual curiosity and social action. These schools also typically feature smaller class sizes, more individualized college counseling, and unique electives (e.g., robotics, philosophy, advanced studio art) that can be tailored to student interests in ways that are challenging for even excellent public districts like Berkeley Heights to replicate.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for applying to competitive private schools serving Berkeley Heights, NJ families?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For fall entry, families should start researching schools in the spring or summer before the application year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held September-November), submitting applications by January deadlines (with some schools having earlier deadlines for siblings/legacies), scheduling student visits and interviews (fall/winter), and taking standardized tests like the ISEE or SSAT. Admission decisions and financial aid awards are typically released in March. Given the competitiveness of schools like Kent Place, Wardlaw+Hartridge, and Oak Knoll, it is crucial for Berkeley Heights parents to adhere strictly to these timelines and consider applying to more than one school.
For families in Berkeley Heights with access to a top-rated public school district, what are the main reasons to consider private schools in the region?
The decision often hinges on specific educational philosophies and student needs. While the Berkeley Heights Public Schools are consistently ranked among the best in New Jersey, parents may opt for private schools for distinct reasons: a desire for single-gender education, a specific religious or values-based foundation (like Oak Knoll's Catholic identity), or a particularly intensive focus on areas like global studies or independent research. The private school environment often offers a different social and competitive dynamic, potentially more flexibility in curriculum, and a student body drawn from a wider geographic area. The choice is deeply personal, weighing the exceptional, tuition-free public option against the specialized mission and resources of a private institution.
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