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.
Programs:
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.
Programs:
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.
Programs:
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.
Private Education Insights
Top Private Boarding Schools Near Paramus, NJ: A Parent's 2024 Guide
For parents in Paramus beginning the search for “private boarding schools near me,” it’s important to understand the unique educational landscape of our area. While Paramus itself is home to several exceptional day schools like Bergen Catholic High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and Academy of the Holy Angels, the immediate vicinity does not host traditional boarding campuses. This reality shapes a common journey for local families: looking beyond our borough’s borders to find the right residential program while appreciating the foundational value of our local institutions. The quest often becomes a balance between seeking a specialized boarding environment and maintaining connections to our supportive North Jersey community.
The concept of “near me” takes on a broader meaning for boarding schools, typically encompassing the greater Tri-State area and the Northeast corridor. From Paramus, families have remarkable access to some of the nation’s most prestigious boarding schools within a two-to-three-hour drive. This includes renowned options in Connecticut, upstate New York, and Pennsylvania. This proximity is a significant advantage, allowing for easier weekend visits, family events, and a smoother transition for students who may be experiencing living away from home for the first time. The relatively short distance means your child can pursue a immersive, 24/7 learning community without being completely disconnected from family life in Bergen County.
When considering a boarding school, Paramus parents should reflect on what specific needs the residential model fulfills that a local day school may not. For some students, it’s about specialized programs in the arts, STEM, or athletics that benefit from intensive, on-campus facilities. For others, it’s the development of profound independence and time-management skills within a structured, supportive environment. It’s also worth considering the academic culture; boarding schools often feature small class sizes, dedicated faculty who live on campus, and a globally diverse student body that can broaden a young person’s perspective far beyond our local context.
The process starts locally. Engaging with guidance counselors at Paramus’s own esteemed schools can provide invaluable insights and referrals. They understand your child’s academic profile and can suggest boarding schools that would be a good fit. Furthermore, attending local college fairs or independent school expos in the New York Metro area can connect you directly with admissions officers. As you compile a list, plan visits that are manageable as day trips from Paramus. Experiencing the campus culture, talking to current students, and seeing the dormitories firsthand is irreplaceable. Remember, the investment is substantial, so understanding the financial aid and scholarship opportunities each school offers is a crucial step.
Ultimately, the search for “private boarding schools near me” from Paramus is a proactive step toward matching your child’s aspirations with an environment designed to nurture them holistically. It’s about leveraging our location as a springboard to a wider world of academic opportunity while grounding your decision in the values and expectations you’ve cultivated as a family in this vibrant New Jersey community. The perfect fit is out there, combining the close-knit feel we appreciate locally with the expansive growth that a boarding school uniquely provides.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities