The Best Private Schools in Oxford, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oxford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Gill St. Bernard's School
Independent
Gill St. Bernard's School is a highly-regarded independent day school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located approximately 15 miles from Oxford, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Known for its strong academic program, the school emphasizes critical thinking, character development, and community engagement. Extracurricular offerings include competitive athletics, robotics, theater productions, and community service programs.
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The Pennington School
Independent
The Pennington School is a prestigious co-educational independent school located about 25 miles from Oxford. Serving day and boarding students in grades 6-12, the school offers both traditional college preparatory curriculum and International Baccalaureate programs. The 54-acre campus features modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, and arts centers. The school is particularly noted for its strong athletic programs, comprehensive arts education, and global perspective. Student-teacher ratio of 8:1 ensures personalized attention, and the school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Moravian Academy
Independent
Moravian Academy, located approximately 15 miles from Oxford in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is one of the oldest independent schools in the United States. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade across three campuses, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory education with strong emphasis on global citizenship and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education. The Upper School campus features modern academic facilities, extensive athletic complexes, and dedicated arts spaces. The school's diverse community and international programs provide students with global perspectives, while small class sizes and dedicated faculty ensure academic excellence and personal growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oxford, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options for families residing in Oxford, New Jersey, and what are their key characteristics?
While Oxford itself is a smaller, rural township, families have access to several highly-regarded independent schools within a reasonable commuting distance. The most prominent are Gill St. Bernard's School in Gladstone (Pre-K-12, known for a strong college preparatory curriculum and a 208-acre campus), The Pennington School in Pennington (6-12, a historic Episcopal school with a robust international boarding program), and Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, PA (Pre-K-12, one of the oldest schools in the nation with a focus on global education). These schools draw students from Oxford and surrounding Warren and Hunterdon County towns, offering a significant academic step beyond the local public district.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Oxford, NJ, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at schools like Gill St. Bernard's, Pennington, and Moravian Academy is above the New Jersey private school average, often ranging from approximately $30,000 to $45,000+ for upper grades. New Jersey has some of the highest private school tuition costs in the country. However, these institutions are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer substantial need-based financial aid. For example, The Pennington School awards over $6 million in aid annually. It is crucial for Oxford families to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admission, using platforms like Clarity or the School and Student Service (SSS), as aid can significantly reduce the net cost.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Oxford, NJ, region offer that might not be available locally?
Schools in this region leverage their resources and locations to offer distinctive programs. Gill St. Bernard's features a renowned visual and performing arts center and a comprehensive farm-to-table program with an on-campus farm. The Pennington School offers a Center for Global Citizenship, a structured Learning Skills Program for students with learning differences, and extensive engineering and robotics courses. Moravian Academy provides deep language immersion starting in preschool and a renowned instrumental music program. For Oxford students, these specialized offerings provide avenues for exploration that may exceed the scope of smaller rural public schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools serving Oxford, NJ, families?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For fall entry, prospective families should start researching schools in the summer or early fall, a full year prior. Key steps include: attending open houses (often September-November), completing applications with essays and recommendations (deadlines typically between January and February), and scheduling student visits/interviews (fall/winter). Standardized testing (like the SSAT or ISEE) is usually required for middle and upper school admission. Notification dates are typically in March. Given the competitive nature of these schools, Oxford families are advised to plan meticulously and consider applying to more than one option.
For an Oxford, NJ resident, what are the major practical and philosophical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private school like those in the area?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. Practically, commuting to a private school means a significant daily drive (20-45 minutes) to campuses in Gladstone, Pennington, or Bethlehem, which impacts family logistics and costs. Philosophically, the choice often centers on academic rigor, class size, and program breadth. Oxford's public schools are part of a smaller, rural K-12 district, while the private options offer extensive AP/Advanced course catalogs, global networks, and specialized facilities. Parents must weigh the close-knit community feel of the local Oxford schools against the expansive opportunities and different social environment of a larger independent institution. The financial commitment for private school is substantial and is a primary deciding factor.
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