The Best Private Schools in Elmwood Park, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Elmwood Park. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Academy of Our Lady of Grace
Archdiocese of Newark
Academy of Our Lady of Grace is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving the Elmwood Park and greater Fair Lawn area. The school provides a comprehensive education from pre-K through 8th grade with a strong emphasis on academic excellence within a faith-based environment. They offer modern STEM programs, small class sizes, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes music, art, and physical education. The school maintains strong parent satisfaction ratings and has been serving the community for over seven decades with a reputation for preparing students well for high school and beyond.
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Eastern Christian School
Eastern Christian School Association
Eastern Christian School is a highly-rated Christian private school serving students from Elmwood Park and surrounding communities. With campuses in North Haledon, Midland Park, and Wyckoff, this established institution offers education from elementary through high school. The school provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum integrated with Christian values, featuring advanced placement courses, fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. Eastern Christian has a strong track record of academic achievement and student development, with graduates attending top colleges and universities nationwide.
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Montclair Kimberley Academy
Independent School
Montclair Kimberley Academy is a prestigious independent school serving students from Elmwood Park and the broader northern New Jersey region. MKA offers a comprehensive educational experience across three campuses, featuring the International Baccalaureate program alongside Advanced Placement courses. The school emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and global citizenship through diverse programs in STEM, humanities, performing arts, and competitive athletics. With small class sizes, exceptional faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, MKA consistently ranks among New Jersey's top private schools for college preparation and overall educational quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Elmwood Park, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Elmwood Park, NJ, and what are their key characteristics?
While Elmwood Park itself is a smaller borough, families have access to several well-regarded private schools in the immediate and surrounding areas. Notable options include the Academy of Our Lady of Grace (a Catholic elementary school in Fair Lawn, serving Pre-K-8), Eastern Christian School (a Reformed Christian school with campuses in North Haledon for elementary, middle, and high school), and Montclair Kimberley Academy (a prestigious independent Pre-K-12 school in Montclair). For Elmwood Park residents, these schools typically require commuting, but they offer diverse educational philosophies from faith-based to independent college preparatory. It's also common for families to explore private schools in nearby towns like Ridgewood, Glen Rock, and Paramus.
How does tuition for private schools in the Elmwood Park, NJ, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the North Jersey private school market varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect a broad range. Parish-based schools like Academy of Our Lady of Grace may have tuition around $8,000-$12,000 annually, while Eastern Christian School's tuition ranges from approximately $14,000 for elementary to over $20,000 for high school. Montclair Kimberley Academy's tuition exceeds $40,000. Most of these schools offer need-based financial aid, and New Jersey families should also investigate the state's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" (OSA) programs, which provide tax-credit scholarships for students from lower-income families to attend participating private schools. Additionally, many schools offer payment plans and sibling discounts.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Elmwood Park, NJ, that might not be available in the local public district?
Private schools in this region often provide specialized tracks and resources. Montclair Kimberley Academy is known for robust international baccalaureate (IB) and advanced STEM programs, along with extensive arts and athletics. Eastern Christian School integrates faith-based learning with strong college prep and may offer unique courses in theology and service learning. The Academy of Our Lady of Grace provides a structured Catholic education with sacramental preparation. A common advantage for Elmwood Park families is access to world language immersion programs, dedicated college counseling starting in middle school, and smaller, specialized arts or robotics programs that may be more limited in scope within the public school due to budget or size constraints.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Elmwood Park, NJ, families, and when should we start?
The private school admissions cycle in Northern New Jersey is highly competitive and begins early. For entry in Fall 2025, the ideal timeline starts in the summer or early fall of 2024. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held September-November), submitting applications by January deadlines (some as early as December), and completing student assessments/interviews. Schools like Montclair Kimberley Academy and Eastern Christian School have firm deadlines and may require the ISEE or SSAT entrance exams. Notification dates are typically in March. For kindergarten, some schools have waitlists years in advance. Elmwood Park parents are advised to research and contact schools 12-18 months before the desired enrollment date, especially for sought-after grades.
For an Elmwood Park, NJ resident, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation and community when choosing a private school outside the borough?
Choosing a private school outside Elmwood Park requires careful logistical planning. Most schools do not provide district-sponsored transportation, so parents must consider daily commuting, carpooling, or paid bus services (some schools organize private bus routes from central locations). The commute to schools in Montclair, North Haledon, or Fair Lawn can take 20-45 minutes depending on traffic. Community integration is another factor; your child's friends and extracurricular activities will likely be centered around the school's location, not Elmwood Park. It's important to attend school events to gauge the community feel and consider how the commute impacts family time and the student's schedule for homework and activities.
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