The Best Private Schools in Lawnside, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lawnside. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bishop Eustace Preparatory School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Bishop Eustace Preparatory School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school located just minutes from Lawnside. The school is distinguished by its International Baccalaureate program alongside 18 Advanced Placement courses, offering students multiple pathways to academic excellence. The STEM Academy provides specialized programming in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with advanced laboratory facilities. The campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. With a 100% college acceptance rate and average SAT scores consistently above national averages, Bishop Eustace graduates are well-prepared for top universities nationwide.
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Camden Catholic High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Camden Catholic High School is a highly-regarded co-educational Catholic high school serving students from Lawnside and throughout Camden County. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses and comprehensive STEM programs. Students benefit from small class sizes averaging 18 students, a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, and a 99% college acceptance rate. The campus features modern science labs, technology centers, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. Extracurricular offerings include over 40 clubs, competitive athletic teams, and extensive community service opportunities.
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Holy Cross Academy
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Holy Cross Academy is a comprehensive Catholic high school serving students from Lawnside and surrounding Burlington County communities. The school offers a challenging academic program with 14 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM initiatives, and a strong focus on character development. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and emphasizes leadership development through student government, retreat programs, and community service projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lawnside, New Jersey
Are there any private schools physically located within the borough of Lawnside, NJ, or do families typically look to surrounding towns?
There are no private K-12 schools physically located within the borough limits of Lawnside. Families in Lawnside seeking private education typically look to highly-regarded institutions in the surrounding Camden and Burlington County areas. The most prominent options include Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, Holy Cross Academy (a Delran-based school system with a high school in Delran and an elementary school in Riverside), and Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken. This means commuting is a standard consideration for Lawnside residents choosing private school.
What is the average tuition for private high schools near Lawnside, NJ, and are there financial aid options specifically for New Jersey residents?
Tuition for the top private high schools near Lawnside typically ranges from approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per year for the 2024-2025 academic year. All the major schools (Camden Catholic, Bishop Eustace, Holy Cross Academy) offer substantial need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs. Importantly, as New Jersey residents, Lawnside families may also be eligible for state-supported programs like the NJ STARS scholarship for top academic performers at the county college level, which can be a future consideration. Additionally, New Jersey's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" tax credit program allows businesses to direct funds to scholarship organizations, increasing aid availability for eligible students.
How do the specialized academic programs at private schools near Lawnside, like Bishop Eustace or Camden Catholic, differ from what's offered at Haddon Heights Jr./Sr. High School (Lawnside's sending public high school)?
The private schools near Lawnside often offer distinct curricular specializations and structures not as deeply available in the public sending district. For example, Bishop Eustace has a renowned STEM Academy and a comprehensive Fine Arts program. Camden Catholic offers unique pathways like its Engineering & Design Academy and Business & Entrepreneurship Institute. Holy Cross Academy emphasizes a personalized "House System" for student support. In contrast, while Haddon Heights High School provides solid AP and honors tracks, the private alternatives typically feature a wider array of college-prep academies, more uniform religious education (if desired), and often smaller average class sizes, which is a key differentiator for many Lawnside families.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Camden Catholic that serve Lawnside students?
The enrollment process for schools like Camden Catholic High School, Bishop Eustace, and Holy Cross Academy begins in the fall of a student's 7th or 8th grade year. Key steps include: 1) Attending Open Houses (usually September-November). 2) Taking a required entrance exam (the HSPT or school-specific test) in December or January. 3) Submitting an application, transcripts, and recommendations by a January/February deadline. Acceptance notifications and financial aid awards are typically released in February/March. It is crucial for Lawnside parents to plan ahead, as these deadlines are firm and spaces are competitive. Many schools also host shadow days for prospective students.
Given Lawnside's unique history as a self-governing African American community, are there private school options in the area that emphasize cultural heritage or diversity?
While the prominent Catholic schools near Lawnside have missions focused on faith-based education and report actively working to foster inclusive environments, none have a specific curricular focus on African American history or cultural heritage as a central tenet. However, their locations in diverse South Jersey mean they often have student bodies with varying ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. For families prioritizing a curriculum deeply rooted in African American heritage, they may need to explore independent schools in Philadelphia or specialized academies further afield. This makes the decision for Lawnside families one of weighing the excellent college-prep and values education of local private schools against the specific cultural context of their historic community.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Pre-K Programs in Lawnside, NJ: A Parent's Guide
For families in Lawnside, the decision to explore private pre k is often the first significant step in a long-term educational journey. It’s about more than just finding a safe, nurturing environment for your young child; it’s about laying a foundational cornerstone that aligns with your family’s values and academic aspirations. In our close-knit community, where educational choices feel deeply personal, understanding the local landscape of private early education is crucial. While Lawnside itself is a residential borough, your search will naturally extend into the surrounding Camden County area, where several esteemed institutions begin their formative programs.
The concept of a private pre k program in our region is frequently intertwined with the mission of the larger private schools that many Lawnside families consider for later years. Schools like Holy Cross Academy in nearby Delran offer early childhood programs that are integral to their educational continuum. This connection is significant. Enrolling your child in a faith-based or academically focused private pre k can create a seamless pathway into their elementary and even secondary programs, providing consistency in values, teaching philosophy, and community. It’s a way to become part of a school family early on, which can be especially comforting in a small town where relationships matter deeply.
When evaluating options, Lawnside parents should consider the practicalities of the commute. Your daily route to a private pre k in a neighboring town like Cherry Hill or Haddonfield will become a familiar part of your routine, so factoring in traffic patterns on routes like the Atlantic Avenue corridor or I-295 is a real-world necessity. Furthermore, the culture of a school matters. Many local private pre k programs emphasize not only early literacy and numeracy but also character development and social responsibility—values that resonate strongly within the Lawnside community. Visiting these schools, you’ll want to observe how they foster independence and curiosity in a structured yet loving setting, ensuring it’s a place where your child will thrive emotionally and intellectually.
It’s also wise to look ahead. The prestigious secondary schools you may already have on your radar, such as Camden Catholic High School or Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, do not typically host pre k programs themselves. However, many families who aspire for their children to attend these schools one day often choose a private pre k that shares a similar educational ethos or is a known feeder into strong elementary programs that align with that future goal. Starting the search early allows you to understand the entire educational arc. Ultimately, choosing a private pre k in the Lawnside area is an investment in a tailored beginning. It’s about finding that first educational partner who understands that the seeds of future success—whether at a local parish school or a top-tier preparatory academy—are sown with care, intention, and a deep respect for these formative early years.
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