The Best Private Schools in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Mountain Lakes. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Delbarton School
Delbarton School
Delbarton School is an independent Catholic school for boys in grades 7-12, located just minutes from Mountain Lakes. Founded by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary's Abbey, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional academic, athletic, and artistic opportunities. The 200-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. Delbarton consistently ranks among New Jersey's top private schools with graduates attending prestigious universities nationwide.
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The Peck School
The Peck School
The Peck School is an independent coeducational day school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Located in nearby Morristown, Peck serves families throughout Morris County including Mountain Lakes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, offering a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced STEM programs, visual and performing arts, and competitive athletics. Peck's small class sizes and dedicated faculty create a nurturing environment that prepares students for top secondary schools.
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St. Catherine of Siena School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
St. Catherine of Siena School is a Catholic elementary school located directly in Mountain Lakes, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations, featuring modern facilities including a dedicated STEM lab, technology-integrated classrooms, and comprehensive arts programs. With small class sizes and a supportive community environment, St. Catherine's emphasizes character development while preparing students for success in high school and beyond. The school serves both Mountain Lakes residents and families from surrounding communities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available to families residing in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, and what are their key characteristics?
Mountain Lakes itself is a small borough, so most prominent private schools are located in the surrounding Morris County area. The most notable include Delbarton School (Morristown), an all-boys, Benedictine, college-preparatory day school for grades 7-12 known for its rigorous academics and extensive extracurriculars. The Peck School (Morristown) is a co-educational independent day school for Pre-K through 8th grade, emphasizing character and foundational learning. St. Catherine of Siena School (Mountain Lakes) is a private Catholic school serving Pre-K through 8th grade, offering a faith-based education within the community. Additionally, families often consider other nearby options like Morristown-Beard School and Villa Walsh Academy. The commute to these schools is typically short, given Mountain Lakes' central Morris County location.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Mountain Lakes, NJ, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Mountain Lakes vicinity is generally at or above the New Jersey state average for private education, reflecting their reputation and resources. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $25,000-$50,000 for day schools, with high schools at the upper end. Delbarton's tuition is competitive with other elite secondary schools, while Peck and St. Catherine of Siena have lower, but still significant, tuition for their grade ranges. Importantly, most of these schools offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Delbarton, Peck, and others use platforms like Clarity or SSS to assess need and award substantial grants, making them accessible to a broader range of families. New Jersey's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" tax credit program also benefits some eligible families at participating schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Mountain Lakes area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools near Mountain Lakes often provide specialized programs that may be less available in the excellent Mountain Lakes public district. Delbarton offers distinctive programs like its Benedictine leadership initiatives, extensive global travel, and a renowned robotics team. The Peck School emphasizes "The Peck Journey," a curated K-8 experience with a strong focus on ethics, public speaking, and outdoor education. St. Catherine of Siena integrates Catholic sacramental preparation and theology throughout its curriculum. Compared to the public system, these schools often have smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and, in the case of independent schools, greater curricular flexibility to innovate. The public Mountain Lakes district is highly ranked, so the choice often comes down to mission, religious education, or specific programmatic focus.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Delbarton and Peck for a Mountain Lakes family?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Delbarton (grades 7-12) and Peck (Pre-K-8), interested Mountain Lakes families should initiate inquiries 12-18 months before desired entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (usually in the fall), submitting applications by December or January (with deadlines strictly enforced), scheduling student visits and assessments/interviews in winter, and receiving decisions in March. For Delbarton's 7th grade, a significant entry point, the ISEE or SSAT exam is required. Sibling and legacy applicants may have slight priority, but the process remains competitive. It's crucial to engage directly with the admissions office of each school, as timelines for kindergarten entry at Peck or St. Catherine can differ from middle school entry at Delbarton.
For a family moving to Mountain Lakes, what are the major considerations when choosing between the highly-rated public school system and nearby private schools?
This is a central decision for new residents. Mountain Lakes Public Schools are consistently ranked among the top in New Jersey, offering a high-quality, tuition-free education with strong academics, athletics, and arts. Choosing a private school often involves one or more of these factors: desire for a single-gender (Delbarton) or religious (St. Catherine) education; seeking a specific pedagogical approach or smaller class sizes from Pre-K onward (Peck); or targeting a particular college-preparatory environment with extensive resources. The financial commitment is substantial, so families must weigh the value of these specific attributes against the cost. Many families in Mountain Lakes opt for the public schools, while others choose private options for mission alignment. It's advisable to thoroughly tour both the local public schools and the private options to feel the community and culture difference firsthand.
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