The Best Private Schools in Brick, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Brick. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Christian Brothers Academy
Christian Brothers Academy
Christian Brothers Academy is a highly respected private Catholic college preparatory school serving students from Brick and throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Founded by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, CBA provides a rigorous academic environment with exceptional college placement records. The school offers comprehensive Advanced Placement curriculum, competitive athletic programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. Their 150-acre campus features modern academic buildings, science and technology labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. CBA emphasizes character formation through their Christian Service program and maintains strong traditions of academic excellence and community involvement.
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Ranney School
Ranney School
Ranney School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the Brick area and greater Ocean County region. With a 60-year history of academic excellence, Ranney offers a comprehensive educational experience from Early Childhood through Grade 12. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Their rigorous academic program emphasizes critical thinking, innovation, and character development, with graduates consistently gaining admission to top-tier universities. The campus spans 61 acres with modern classrooms, technology integration, and extensive extracurricular opportunities in arts, athletics, and community service.
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Donovan Catholic High School
Diocese of Trenton
Donovan Catholic High School (formerly Monsignor Donovan) is a prominent Catholic college preparatory school serving the Brick community and surrounding areas. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with numerous Honors and Advanced Placement courses, along with specialized academies in STEM and performing arts. Their faith-based education integrates spiritual formation with academic rigor, preparing students for college success and lifelong learning. The campus features modern facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. Donovan Catholic maintains strong athletic traditions and extensive extracurricular programs while fostering a supportive community environment focused on academic achievement and character development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Brick, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Brick, New Jersey, and what are their educational models?
Brick, NJ, is served by several notable private schools, though many are located in nearby towns, a common feature of the Jersey Shore region. Top options include Ranney School in Tinton Falls (a Pre-K-12 independent college preparatory school), Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft (an all-boys Catholic college preparatory school for grades 9-12), and Donovan Catholic High School in Toms River (a co-ed Catholic high school). Within Brick Township itself, parents will find more options at the elementary and middle school levels, including various faith-based academies. Transportation is a key consideration, as many families commute to these schools, with some districts offering limited busing for private school students under New Jersey's "Choice" program guidelines.
How does tuition for private schools in the Brick, NJ, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Brick area varies significantly by school type. For the 2024-2025 academic year, elite independent schools like Ranney can exceed $40,000 annually for upper grades, while Catholic schools like Donovan Catholic and Christian Brothers Academy generally range from $15,000 to $20,000. These figures are in line with or slightly below the state average for their respective categories, partly due to the lower cost of living in Ocean County compared to North Jersey. Most schools offer need-based financial aid, and New Jersey's "FAFSA" completion is often required. Additionally, the state's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" (OSA) programs, though limited, can provide tax-credit scholarships for eligible families to use at participating schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Brick, NJ, offer that leverage the local coastal environment?
Several private schools in the Brick vicinity integrate the unique Jersey Shore setting into their curricula. Ranney School, for instance, has a strong marine science program that can utilize the nearby Barnegat Bay and Atlantic Ocean for fieldwork and research. Sailing teams are also a distinctive offering at some college-prep schools. Furthermore, schools like Christian Brothers Academy and Donovan Catholic often emphasize community service programs that partner with local shore-town charities, environmental clean-up initiatives, and diocesan-wide projects supporting coastal communities. This provides students with experiential learning deeply connected to their regional identity.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools like CBA or Ranney for a Brick resident?
For Brick families targeting top-tier private high schools, planning must begin early. The process for schools like Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) and Ranney School often starts in the fall of a student's 7th or 8th-grade year. Key steps include attending open houses (usually held September-November), submitting applications by December or January, taking entrance exams (such as the HSPT for Catholic schools or the ISEE/SSAT for independents) in the winter, and completing interviews and shadow days. Admissions decisions are typically released in February or March. It's crucial to note that these schools draw from a wide geographic area, so Brick applicants are competing with students from Monmouth, Ocean, and even Middlesex counties.
For a family living in Brick Township, what are the major practical considerations when choosing between the high-performing Brick Township public schools and a private school?
This is a significant decision for Brick families, as the township's public high schools, Brick Memorial and Brick Township, are large and offer diverse programs. Key considerations include: **Class Size** (private schools often have 15-20 students vs. 25+ in public), **Specialized Focus** (private schools may offer a more consistent college-prep or faith-based environment), **Transportation** (Brick Public provides transportation to private schools within a 20-mile radius, a major benefit for accessing schools like Donovan Catholic), and **Cost** (weighing tuition against potential savings on extracurriculars or advanced tutoring sometimes needed in large public systems). The choice often hinges on whether a family seeks a specific educational philosophy or religious foundation that the public system, despite its strengths, cannot provide.
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