The Best Private Schools in Longport, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Longport. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Seashore Learning Center
Private Independent School
Seashore Learning Center is a highly-regarded Montessori school serving families throughout Atlantic County. The school provides individualized education from preschool through elementary grades, focusing on hands-on learning and child-directed exploration. Their comprehensive program includes foreign language instruction, music, art, and physical education. The school features well-equipped Montessori classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and small class sizes that allow for personalized attention and academic excellence.
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St. Augustine Preparatory School
Augustinian Order
St. Augustine Preparatory School is an all-boys Catholic college preparatory school with a distinguished academic reputation throughout South Jersey. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement options, competitive athletic programs, and outstanding fine arts facilities. Their campus includes state-of-the-art science laboratories, a performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and emphasizes leadership development through its Augustinian values and community service programs.
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Holy Spirit High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Holy Spirit High School is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory school serving the South Jersey shore communities. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and competitive athletics. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining strong college placement records with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Longport, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Longport, New Jersey, and are there any directly within the borough?
Longport is a small residential borough, so there are no private school campuses physically located within its boundaries. However, families in Longport typically look to excellent private institutions in the surrounding Atlantic County area. The most prominent options include St. Augustine Preparatory School (a highly-regarded all-boys college preparatory school in Richland), Holy Spirit High School (a co-ed Catholic high school in Absecon), and Seashore Learning Center (a private elementary school in Linwood). Many Longport families also consider schools in neighboring Ventnor, Margate, and Ocean City. Transportation is a key consideration, as most options require a daily commute.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Longport, NJ, compare, and are there financial aid options specific to New Jersey residents?
Tuition varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Augustine Prep's tuition is approximately $21,000, Holy Spirit High School is around $15,000, and Seashore Learning Center's elementary tuition is roughly $12,000-$15,000. All these schools offer need-based financial aid. Crucially, New Jersey residents may be eligible for state-supported programs like the NJ STARS scholarship for top academic performers at county colleges (post-high school) and the Opportunity Scholarship Act, which provides tax credits to businesses that fund scholarships for students in low-performing districts—though this may not directly apply to these specific schools. It's essential to inquire directly with each school's financial aid office about their specific endowments and scholarship funds.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Longport area offer that leverage the coastal environment?
Schools in this region often incorporate the unique Shore environment into their programs. St. Augustine Prep has a strong Marine Science program, utilizing nearby estuaries and the Atlantic Ocean for study. Holy Spirit High School emphasizes community service, with many projects tied to local coastal communities and environmental stewardship. Seashore Learning Center, as suggested by its name, integrates coastal themes into its elementary curriculum. Furthermore, the proximity to Atlantic City provides unique opportunities for business, hospitality, and performing arts internships or partnerships that some schools may facilitate, blending academic learning with the area's economic and cultural landscape.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools like St. Augustine Prep and Holy Spirit High School for a student from Longport?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For schools like St. Augustine Prep and Holy Spirit High School, families should initiate inquiries in the fall of the student's 7th-grade year. The key steps include: attending open houses (usually held September-November), completing the application (deadlines are often in December or January of 8th grade), taking the required entrance exam (typically the HSPT in January), submitting transcripts and recommendations, and participating in a family interview. Admissions decisions are usually released in February or March. Given the competitive nature and limited seats, especially for non-feeder school students from Longport, early and thorough engagement is critical.
For a family in Longport, what are the major considerations when choosing between the local public school system (via the Margate Schools for K-8 and Atlantic City High School for 9-12) and a private school in the area?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. The Longport public school path sends K-8 students to the Margate City School District (via tuition agreement), which is well-regarded, and then to Atlantic City High School for grades 9-12. Key considerations include: **Cost** (private tuition vs. no direct cost for public), **Academic Focus** (private schools often offer smaller class sizes, religious education if desired, and a specific college-prep focus like at St. Augustine), **Environment** (private schools provide a defined community, while Atlantic City High School is a large, diverse public school), and **Logistics** (public school involves a shorter commute to Margate for elementary, while private high schools require a longer daily drive to Richland or Absecon). Many Longport families value the continuity and community of a private school cohort, especially given the transitional high school arrangement with the public system.
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