The Best Private Schools in Oradell, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oradell. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Archdiocese of Newark
The Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving Oradell and surrounding communities. Located just across the river in neighboring River Edge, this school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on academic excellence and moral development. The school features modern facilities including science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, strong community atmosphere, and rigorous academic preparation that prepares students for competitive high schools. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive arts education.
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The Elisabeth Morrow School
Independent School
The Elisabeth Morrow School is a prestigious independent day school located in nearby Englewood that serves families from Oradell and throughout Bergen County. Founded in 1931, this school offers education from early childhood through eighth grade with an exceptional reputation for academic rigor and holistic development. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including dedicated science laboratories, extensive library resources, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. The school is particularly noted for its strong emphasis on character education, innovative teaching methods, and preparation for top-tier secondary schools. Parent reviews highlight the outstanding faculty, beautiful campus environment, and comprehensive extracurricular programs.
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Bergen Catholic High School
Private Catholic School
Bergen Catholic High School is a premier all-boys Catholic high school located directly in Oradell, serving students from throughout northern New Jersey. Established in 1958, this institution has built an outstanding reputation for academic excellence, with nearly 100% of graduates attending four-year colleges and universities. The school offers an extensive Advanced Placement curriculum, specialized STEM programs, and comprehensive honors tracks. Facilities include modern science and technology labs, extensive athletic complexes, and performing arts spaces. Parent and student reviews consistently praise the rigorous academic environment, dedicated faculty, strong sense of community, and exceptional college placement record. The school maintains partnerships with local elementary schools for smooth transitions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oradell, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Oradell, NJ, and what grade levels do they serve?
Oradell itself is home to The Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a Catholic elementary school serving Pre-K through 8th grade. Due to Oradell's prime location in Bergen County, families also commonly consider nearby prestigious institutions such as The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood (Nursery through 8th grade) and Bergen Catholic High School, an all-boys college preparatory school in Oradell for grades 9-12. This proximity provides Oradell residents with a strong continuum of private education from early childhood through high school without needing to look far beyond the borough.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Oradell, NJ area compare, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition in this competitive Bergen County market varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 year, parish-supported Catholic schools like Mount Carmel typically have lower tuition, often ranging from $8,000 to $12,000 annually. Independent schools like The Elisabeth Morrow School have a higher tuition, which can exceed $40,000 per year. Bergen Catholic High School's tuition is approximately $22,000. Importantly, most of these schools offer need-based financial aid, and New Jersey's "FAFSA" for K-12, the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, is widely used. Additionally, New Jersey state programs like the "Opportunity Scholarship Act" (tax-credit scholarships) can provide funding for eligible students attending participating non-public schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are emphasized by private schools in the Oradell area?
Oradell-area private schools offer distinct specializations. The Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel provides a faith-based education with a strong core curriculum and community service focus. The Elisabeth Morrow School is renowned for its progressive, child-centered approach, exceptional world language programs starting in early childhood, and a dedicated "4 C's" curriculum (Cooperation, Communication, Content, and Caring). Bergen Catholic High School offers a rigorous STEM program, a nationally recognized robotics team, and extensive AP course offerings, leveraging its identity as a regional athletic powerhouse. This variety allows parents to match a school's philosophy with their child's needs.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Oradell, NJ families?
For sought-after schools in Bergen County, planning early is crucial. The admissions cycle for the following academic year often begins in the fall, with open houses typically held from September to November. Application deadlines for schools like The Elisabeth Morrow School and Bergen Catholic are usually in December or January for the following fall. Entrance exams or assessments for middle and high school (like the HSPT for Bergen Catholic) are scheduled for winter. Notification of admissions decisions is commonly released in March. For elementary schools like Mount Carmel, it's advisable to inquire at least a year in advance, especially for Pre-K and Kindergarten seats, as sibling and parishioner priority can fill classes quickly.
For an Oradell resident, what are the key considerations when comparing the high-performing public school district with local private options?
Oradell is part of the highly-regarded River Dell Regional School District (serving 7-12) and has its own excellent elementary district. The key decision points include educational philosophy (traditional public vs. religious or progressive independent), class size (private schools often have smaller ratios), and specialized programs. A family might choose private for a single-gender environment at Bergen Catholic, a specific religious foundation, or an alternative pedagogical approach. Conversely, the public system offers a no-tuition, comprehensive education with strong academics, arts, and sports, and the natural socialization of a community-based system. Many Oradell families value the public schools highly, making the choice a deeply personal one based on fit rather than a necessity for quality.
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