The Best Private Schools in Demarest, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Demarest. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Academy of the Holy Angels
Independent Catholic School
Academy of the Holy Angels is a prestigious all-girls Catholic college preparatory school with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. The school offers a rigorous curriculum with 24+ Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM programs, and comprehensive fine arts offerings. Located directly in Demarest, the school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school emphasizes personalized attention and has a 100% college acceptance rate to top-tier universities. The campus spans 25 acres and includes modern academic buildings and extensive athletic facilities.
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The Elisabeth Morrow School
Independent School
Located just minutes from Demarest in neighboring Englewood, The Elisabeth Morrow School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from early childhood through eighth grade. The school is known for its innovative approach to education, combining traditional academic rigor with progressive teaching methods. The campus features dedicated science labs, art studios, music rooms, and extensive outdoor learning spaces. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement and offers a comprehensive STEAM program, foreign language instruction beginning in early childhood, and extensive arts education. The school maintains small class sizes and has a strong community focus.
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Academies at Englewood
Bergen County Technical Schools
The Academies at Englewood, part of the Bergen County Technical School District, is a highly selective magnet high school located adjacent to Demarest. This public-private hybrid model offers specialized career-focused academies in engineering, medical science, and technology. The school features cutting-edge facilities including professional-grade laboratories, technology centers, and collaborative learning spaces. With a competitive admissions process and rigorous academic program, the school consistently ranks among New Jersey's top high schools. Students benefit from partnerships with local universities and corporations, extensive Advanced Placement offerings, and opportunities for professional certifications. The school serves students from throughout Bergen County, including Demarest residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Demarest, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options serving families in Demarest, NJ, and what are their key characteristics?
Demarest, NJ, is served by several highly-regarded private schools in the immediate area. The Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest itself is an all-girls, Catholic college-preparatory school for grades 9-12, known for its strong STEM and arts programs. The Elisabeth Morrow School, located in nearby Englewood, offers a co-educational, progressive education from early childhood through 8th grade, emphasizing experiential learning. The Academies at Englewood, a public magnet high school with a private-school-like model, is a tuition-free option for Bergen County residents that requires a competitive application and offers specialized academies in areas like science, technology, and medicine. These schools provide distinct educational philosophies and environments for Demarest families to consider.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Demarest, NJ, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Demarest area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, high schools like Academy of the Holy Angels have tuition approximately in the $25,000 range, while independent elementary/middle schools like The Elisabeth Morrow School can exceed $40,000 for upper grades. New Jersey private schools often offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Holy Angels, for instance, awards millions in aid annually. It's crucial to apply for financial aid by the school's deadline, often using the Clarity Application, and to inquire about merit scholarships. Many Demarest families also utilize the NJ FamilyCare/Child Care Assistance programs for younger grades where applicable.
What are the enrollment timelines and key application steps for private schools in and around Demarest, NJ?
The private school admissions process in the Demarest area is highly structured and typically begins 12-18 months before the desired entry date. For fall enrollment, key steps often include: attending open houses (September-November), submitting applications (December-January deadlines), completing student visits/interviews and standardized testing (ISEE or SSAT for many schools, January-February), and receiving decisions (March). Schools like The Elisabeth Morrow School have earlier timelines for younger grades. Demarest parents should note that some schools, particularly the most selective, have pre-application events or require registration a full year in advance for certain grades. Staying organized with a calendar for each school is essential.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Demarest area that distinguish them?
Private schools near Demarest offer specialized programs that leverage their resources and missions. The Academy of the Holy Angels features a renowned Engineering and Design Institute, a comprehensive Visual and Performing Arts program, and competitive robotics teams. The Elisabeth Morrow School emphasizes a "4 C's" curriculum (Courtesy, Cooperation, Conservation, and Compassion) integrated with strong language programs starting in early childhood. The Academies at Englewood, while public, offers a private-school-like experience with its specialized "academies" in Science & Technology, Medicine & Health, and Engineering & Design, providing deep, project-based learning. These specialized tracks allow students to pursue significant depth in their areas of interest.
As a Demarest resident, how should I weigh the decision between the high-performing Demarest Public Schools and local private options?
This is a common consideration in Demarest, which is known for its excellent public school system (Demarest School District K-8, then Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest). The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, specific student needs, and program offerings. Private options may be chosen for single-gender education (Holy Angels), a specific progressive or faith-based pedagogy, smaller class sizes, or specialized academic tracks not available in the public curriculum. The public system offers a top-tier, tuition-free education with strong college placement. Many Demarest families visit both their local public school and private options to compare culture, facilities, and programmatic focus. The cost of private tuition versus local property taxes supporting the public schools is also a significant financial factor.
Private Education Insights
Demarest's Top Private Preschools: Finding the Perfect Start for Your Child
For parents in Demarest, the journey into private education often begins with a significant and exciting decision: choosing a private preschool. This foundational step is about more than just early learning; it’s about selecting a community and an educational philosophy that aligns with your family’s values and sets the trajectory for your child’s academic and social development. In our close-knit Bergen County town, known for its excellent schools and family-oriented atmosphere, the options are both prestigious and thoughtfully designed to cater to diverse needs.
The landscape of private preschools in and around Demarest is distinctive, often serving as feeder programs into some of the area’s most respected independent schools. This creates a seamless educational pathway that many local families value. For instance, The Elisabeth Morrow School, located just minutes away in Englewood, offers a renowned early childhood program that emphasizes play-based learning, social-emotional growth, and a deep connection to nature on its expansive campus. Its philosophy is deeply integrated, meaning a child can progress from its preschool through middle school in a consistent, nurturing environment. Similarly, while the Academy of the Holy Angels and The Academies at Englewood begin at the secondary level, their presence shapes the local educational culture, emphasizing the value of a continuous, values-based private education that many preschools in the area prepare children for.
When evaluating private preschools in Demarest, parents should consider several local factors. The commute is often a pleasant one through suburban neighborhoods, but understanding drop-off routines, car line logistics, and after-school care options is practical and important. Many programs, aware of the professional demographics in our area, offer extended hours to accommodate working parents. Furthermore, the community feel is paramount. Demarest parents often look for preschools that foster strong parent-teacher associations and community events, creating a network of support that extends beyond the classroom. Visiting a school during a regular day, perhaps observing a class on the playground or in a music session, can give you a genuine sense of the atmosphere and how your child might thrive there.
Ultimately, the search for the right private preschool in Demarest is a personal one. It’s about finding a place where your child’s curiosity is ignited, their confidence is built, and they take their first joyful steps into a world of learning. The investment at this early stage is in more than just academics; it’s in cultivating a love for school, developing empathy and cooperation with peers, and building a partnership with educators who understand your child as an individual. By focusing on the specific philosophies, community connections, and practical logistics of programs in our area, you can make a confident, informed choice that lays the strongest possible foundation for your family’s educational journey right here in our own community.
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