The Best Private Schools in Far Hills, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Far Hills. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Willow School
Independent
The Willow School is a highly-regarded independent school located just minutes from Far Hills, known for its innovative progressive education approach and strong environmental focus. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade with a curriculum that integrates academic excellence with character development and sustainability education. The campus features state-of-the-art green buildings, extensive natural surroundings, and exceptional facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic spaces. The school emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and community engagement, with small class sizes ensuring personalized attention. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high, with families praising the dedicated faculty, meaningful curriculum, and nurturing environment that prepares students for top secondary schools.
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The Pingry School
Independent
The Pingry School is one of New Jersey's most prestigious independent day schools, serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade and drawing many families from Far Hills. With a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, Pingry offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum including extensive Advanced Placement courses, competitive athletics, and comprehensive arts programs. The 208-acre Basking Ridge campus features exceptional facilities including science centers, performing arts spaces, extensive athletic complexes, and modern classrooms. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, and graduates consistently attend top-tier universities. Parent reviews highlight the outstanding faculty, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and strong community values that characterize the Pingry experience.
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Far Hills Country Day School
Independent
Far Hills Country Day School is the premier private school located directly within Far Hills, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. With a 75-year history in the community, FHCDS offers a well-rounded education that balances academic rigor with character development and social-emotional learning. The school features a beautiful 54-acre campus with modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, athletic fields, and dedicated play areas. The curriculum emphasizes foundational skills, critical thinking, and leadership development, preparing students for success in secondary education and beyond. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, experienced faculty, and strong sense of community, with many families choosing FHCDS for multiple generations. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular programs including arts, athletics, and community service opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Far Hills, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options directly in or near Far Hills, NJ, and what are their educational philosophies?
Far Hills itself is home to the highly regarded Far Hills Country Day School (FHCDS), which serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade with a focus on character, leadership, and a rigorous academic foundation. Immediately adjacent in Gladstone is The Willow School, a renowned Pre-K through 8th grade school celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, ethical literacy, and place-based learning within its environmentally designed campus. A short drive away in Basking Ridge is The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 independent day school with a strong college preparatory curriculum, extensive arts and athletics, and an upper school campus. These three schools represent the core of top-tier private education in the Far Hills area, each with a distinct mission.
How does tuition at Far Hills, NJ private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at the leading private schools near Far Hills is generally at or above the New Jersey independent school average, reflecting their resources, facilities, and low student-to-teacher ratios. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $30,000-$40,000 for lower schools and up to $50,000+ for upper school grades at Pingry. New Jersey has some of the highest private school tuitions in the nation. However, all these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Families are encouraged to apply for aid simultaneously with admissions, as significant grants (not loans) are available. New Jersey does not have a state-funded voucher or tax-credit scholarship program for private K-12 education.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are signature offerings at Far Hills-area private schools?
Schools in this region leverage their unique settings and resources. The Willow School’s entire curriculum is integrated with its sustainable campus, featuring a building-as-a-teaching-tool philosophy, hydroponic labs, and a focus on systems thinking. Far Hills Country Day School emphasizes its "Four Pillars" (Academic Excellence, Character, Community, and Citizenship) with signature programs like its Capstone Project for 8th graders and outdoor leadership. The Pingry School offers an unparalleled breadth for a day school, including extensive advanced STEM research opportunities, a nationally recognized arts program, and competitive athletics in the Mid-Atlantic’s top leagues. The semi-rural environment of Far Hills also allows for strong outdoor and environmental education components across these schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for kindergarten or other entry grades at Far Hills Country Day School, The Willow School, and Pingry?
The admissions process for these selective schools is similar and begins early. For kindergarten entry, families should initiate inquiries and campus tours in the fall, a full year before desired enrollment (e.g., Fall 2024 for Fall 2025). Application deadlines are typically in January, with assessments and play-based visits for children occurring in the winter. Decision notifications are released in March. For middle or upper school entry, timelines may vary, and spaces are more limited. It is crucial to check each school's website for exact dates, as they coordinate with the Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) guidelines. Sibling and legacy applicant considerations are noted, but early planning is essential due to competitive demand in Somerset County.
For families residing in Far Hills, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school (Bernards Township School District) to the nearby private options?
Bernards Township Schools are consistently ranked among the top public districts in New Jersey, offering an excellent, tuition-free education. The decision often hinges on specific family values and needs. Private schools like FHCDS, Willow, and Pingry offer much smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students vs. 20+), more individualized attention, and distinct educational philosophies (e.g., progressive, environmental, or classical college-prep). They may also provide a seamless Pre-K-8 or K-12 continuum without school transitions. The trade-off is significant financial cost. For high school, parents might compare Bernards High School’s extensive offerings to Pingry’s, considering factors like academic pressure, arts/athletics facilities, and community culture. Many families in Far Hills choose both paths, making it a highly personal decision based on the child’s learning style and family priorities.
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