The Best Private Schools in Harrington Park, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Harrington Park. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Tenakill School
Closter Public Schools
Tenakill School is an exceptional public elementary and middle school in neighboring Closter that serves as a top educational option for Harrington Park families through New Jersey's school choice program. The school provides a comprehensive K-8 education with advanced academic programming, including specialized gifted and talented services, robust STEM curriculum, and integrated arts education. Tenakill features modern classrooms, science labs, technology integration, and extensive extracurricular offerings. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere, dedicated faculty, and outstanding student achievement outcomes that prepare students for competitive high school programs.
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Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
Northern Valley Regional High School District
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest is a highly acclaimed public high school serving Harrington Park and several other Bergen County communities. While technically public, it functions as a top-tier educational institution with private-school level academic rigor and resources. The school offers an extensive Advanced Placement program with over 20 AP courses, state-of-the-art STEM facilities, and comprehensive arts and athletics programs. Students consistently achieve exceptional SAT scores and college acceptance rates to prestigious universities. The campus features modern science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities that rival many private institutions.
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Academies at Englewood
Englewood Public School District
The Academies at Englewood is a nationally recognized magnet public high school serving students from Harrington Park and surrounding communities through New Jersey's interdistrict public school choice program. This specialized academy model provides private-school caliber education with four career-focused academies: Biomedical Science, Engineering and Design, Law and Public Safety, and Visual and Performing Arts. The school features cutting-edge laboratories, professional-grade equipment, and partnerships with major corporations and universities. Students benefit from small learning communities, extensive college preparation, and opportunities for professional certifications and internships.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Harrington Park, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Harrington Park, NJ, and are there any unique local partnerships or feeder patterns?
While Harrington Park itself is a small borough without a large number of private schools within its immediate borders, families commonly look to prestigious institutions in neighboring towns. The top options you mentioned, like Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest (a public magnet school that requires application) and the private Tenakill School (K-8 in Closter), are in very close proximity. The Academies at Englewood is a notable public magnet high school option. A unique local consideration is the Harrington Park School District's reputation for strong public K-8 education, which leads many families to stay public through middle school and then actively seek private or magnet high schools. Exploring schools in adjacent towns like Closter, Demarest, and Englewood is standard practice for Harrington Park residents.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Northern Valley area around Harrington Park, NJ, compare to state averages, and what financial aid resources are commonly available?
Tuition for private day schools in Bergen County, which includes the Harrington Park area, is among the highest in New Jersey. For example, elite independent schools in the region can have tuition exceeding $50,000 annually for high school. Compared to the state average for private schools, costs here are significantly higher due to the affluent community, high property values, and competitive academic offerings. However, most established private schools have robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. It's crucial for parents to apply for aid simultaneously with admissions. Additionally, New Jersey's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" tax credit program is not currently active, so state-level tuition assistance is limited, making school-specific aid the primary resource.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are notable in the private and magnet school options accessible from Harrington Park, NJ?
The schools accessible from Harrington Park are known for strong, specialized programs. The Academies at Englewood, a public magnet, offers distinct academies in Engineering, Biomedical Science, Law & Public Safety, and Computer Science. Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest (also a public magnet) features an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, a rarity in public schools. Private schools in the area, such as those in the broader Northern Valley, often emphasize STEM, robotics, world languages starting in lower grades, and extensive arts programs. Their proximity to New York City also allows for unique partnerships, internship opportunities, and cultural enrichment trips that are a significant draw for families in Harrington Park.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private and magnet high schools serving Harrington Park, NJ, families?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For sought-after private schools and public magnet schools like the Academies at Englewood and Northern Valley at Demarest, the timeline typically starts in the summer or early fall of a student's 7th or 8th grade year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often September-October), registering for and taking required standardized tests (like the SSAT for private schools or the magnet school's specific exam), submitting applications by December or January, and completing interviews and student visits in the winter. Admission decisions for most schools are released in March. For Harrington Park families, it's essential to plan at least 12-18 months in advance and to understand that acceptance into these highly competitive programs is not guaranteed.
For a family moving to Harrington Park, NJ, what are the key factors in deciding between the highly-rated public school system and seeking a private school education?
This is a central decision for new residents. Harrington Park's public school (K-8) is consistently top-rated in New Jersey, offering small class sizes and excellent outcomes. The primary decision point often comes at the high school level, as Harrington Park is part of the Northern Valley Regional High School District (sending students to Northern Valley Old Tappan). Families may seek private or magnet options for specific reasons: a desire for a different educational philosophy (e.g., religious, progressive), a more competitive or specialized academic environment (like an IB program), or a smaller school setting than the large regional high school. The decision involves weighing the significant financial investment of private tuition against the free, top-tier public option, often based on the student's individual needs, learning style, and aspirations.
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