The Best Private Schools in Paramus, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Paramus. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bergen Catholic High School
Private Catholic High School
Bergen Catholic High School is a premier all-boys Catholic college preparatory school serving the Paramus area and broader Bergen County. Founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 24 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM curriculum. The 26-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, boasting a 100% college acceptance rate and strong athletic traditions.
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Immaculate Heart Academy
Private Catholic High School
Immaculate Heart Academy is a highly-regarded all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school serving Paramus and surrounding communities. The academy offers a comprehensive curriculum with 19 Advanced Placement courses and extensive honors programs. The school features modern academic facilities, including advanced science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, and dedicated arts spaces. With a commitment to empowering young women through education, IHA maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and offers robust extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service. The school's campus includes extensive athletic facilities and a beautiful chapel.
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Academy of the Holy Angels
Private Catholic High School
Academy of the Holy Angels is one of New Jersey's oldest and most respected all-girls Catholic college preparatory schools, serving students from Paramus and throughout Bergen County. The school offers a challenging academic program with 20 Advanced Placement courses and specialized tracks in STEM, global studies, and leadership development. The historic yet modern campus features state-of-the-art science and technology labs, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. With a strong emphasis on women's leadership and social justice, Holy Angels maintains a 100% college acceptance rate to prestigious institutions and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and community engagement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Paramus, New Jersey
What are the main types of private schools available in Paramus, NJ, and how do they differ?
Paramus, NJ, is home to several highly-regarded private schools, primarily Catholic college-preparatory institutions. The notable options include single-sex schools like Bergen Catholic High School (all-boys), Immaculate Heart Academy (all-girls), and the Academy of the Holy Angels (all-girls). These schools offer rigorous academic curricula rooted in a faith-based values system, with a strong emphasis on college placement. While Paramus itself has excellent public schools, these private options provide an alternative for families seeking a specific religious environment or a single-gender educational model. There are also non-sectarian private day schools in the broader Bergen County area, though Paramus is particularly known for these flagship Catholic academies.
How does the tuition for private high schools in Paramus, NJ, compare, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for the top private high schools in the Paramus area typically ranges from approximately $18,000 to $22,000 per year for the 2024-2025 academic year. This is competitive for the high-quality private education offered in Northern New Jersey. All major schools, including Bergen Catholic, Immaculate Heart Academy, and Holy Angels, offer need-based financial aid and merit scholarship opportunities. It's crucial to apply for financial aid early, often using the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, with deadlines usually in the winter prior to enrollment. Additionally, New Jersey's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" tax credit program can provide scholarships for students attending participating non-public schools, which some families may qualify for to help offset costs.
What is the enrollment process and timeline for private high schools like Bergen Catholic or Immaculate Heart Academy in Paramus?
The enrollment process for Paramus-area private high schools is highly structured and begins early. For 9th-grade admission, families should start in the fall of the student's 8th-grade year. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically held September-November), completing an application (due in early December), taking the required entrance exam (usually the HSPT in November or December), submitting transcripts and recommendations, and participating in a family interview. Acceptance notifications are typically released in late January or February. Due to high demand and limited seats, especially at these top schools, adhering to these deadlines is critical. Some schools also have waitlists.
Beyond academics, what unique extracurricular or specialized programs do Paramus private schools offer?
Private schools in Paramus distinguish themselves with robust extracurricular programs. Bergen Catholic has a renowned athletics program, particularly in football and wrestling, competing in the prestigious Big North Conference. Immaculate Heart Academy and Holy Angels offer exceptional STEM initiatives, award-winning visual and performing arts programs, and extensive community service requirements that align with their mission. Many of these schools also feature unique academic partnerships, such as engineering tracks with local universities, advanced research opportunities, and globally-focused diplomacy programs. Their locations in Bergen County also facilitate internships and cultural trips into New York City, enhancing the student experience beyond the classroom.
For a family living in Paramus with top-rated public schools, what are the key reasons to consider a local private school instead?
While Paramus Public Schools are consistently top-rated in New Jersey, families often choose local private schools for specific reasons. The primary differentiators are the faith-based education and moral formation offered by the Catholic academies, which is not available in the public system. The single-gender environment is a significant draw for some families, as research suggests it can reduce social distractions and build confidence. Furthermore, private schools often offer smaller average class sizes, more personalized college counseling, and a tightly-knit community feel. The decision often hinges on whether a family values the specific mission, community, and educational approach of the private institution over the excellent, but secular and co-educational, offering of the Paramus public schools.
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