The Best Private Schools in Passaic, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Passaic. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child
Independent Catholic School
Oak Knoll is a highly-regarded independent Catholic school serving students from pre-K through grade 12. While located in Summit, the school serves families throughout northern New Jersey including Passaic County. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on critical thinking and character development. Features include state-of-the-art science and technology labs, extensive arts programs, competitive athletics, and a 100% college acceptance rate. The coeducational lower school and all-girls upper school provide tailored learning environments.
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St. Mary's Preparatory School
Diocese of Paterson
St. Mary's Prep is a highly-rated Catholic private school serving students from preschool through eighth grade. Located in nearby Denville, the school serves families from throughout Morris and Passaic counties. The school provides a strong academic foundation with emphasis on faith formation and character development. Programs include advanced mathematics and science curriculum, comprehensive language arts, technology integration, music and arts, and competitive sports. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for preparing students for top high schools.
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Eastern Christian School
Eastern Christian School Association
Eastern Christian School is a well-established Christian private school serving students from preschool through high school. With campuses in North Haledon and Midland Park, the school serves families throughout Passaic and Bergen counties. The school offers a comprehensive Christian education with International Baccalaureate programs, advanced STEM courses, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based community and has a strong track record of college placements. Facilities include modern science labs, technology centers, and athletic complexes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Passaic, New Jersey
What are the primary types of private schools available within or near Passaic, NJ, and what are their educational philosophies?
Passaic and its immediate surrounding areas in northern New Jersey offer a few distinct types of private schools. These include parochial schools like St. Mary's Preparatory School, which provides a Catholic, college-preparatory education. There are also independent Christian schools such as Eastern Christian School, which offers a Reformed Protestant perspective and serves students from preschool through high school across multiple campuses. While not in Passaic proper, prestigious independent schools like Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child (in Summit, NJ) represent another option for families willing to commute; it's an all-girls, Catholic-independent school with a strong liberal arts focus. The local mix emphasizes faith-based education, with limited secular private school options directly within the city boundaries.
How does tuition for private schools in the Passaic, NJ, area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Passaic area varies significantly by school type and grade level. For example, area parochial elementary schools may have tuition ranging from $6,000 to $10,000 annually, which is often below the New Jersey private school average. Secondary schools like Eastern Christian or St. Mary's Preparatory can range from $12,000 to $18,000+ for high school. These figures are generally competitive within the high-cost North Jersey context. Most schools offer need-based financial aid, and New Jersey's "Opportunity Scholarship Act" (tax-credit scholarship) programs, like NJ FAFSA, are crucial for eligible families. Additionally, many Catholic schools have parish subsidies for active members, and schools often have their own scholarship funds and payment plans to assist Passaic-area families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Passaic area offer that leverage the local North Jersey environment?
Private schools in the Passaic region often utilize their proximity to New York City and the diverse North Jersey ecosystem. For instance, St. Mary's Prep emphasizes a rigorous college-prep curriculum with advanced placement courses and has partnerships with local universities for dual-enrollment opportunities. Eastern Christian School integrates technology and faith across its curriculum and may offer specialized tracks. Many schools organize frequent educational trips to NYC museums, cultural institutions, and historical sites in New Jersey. Extracurriculars often reflect the area's diversity, with strong community service programs focused on local Passaic County needs, world language programs emphasizing Spanish relevant to the community, and athletics that compete in the competitive North Jersey Parochial leagues.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Passaic, NJ, families, and are there key deadlines?
The enrollment process for most private schools in the Passaic area begins in the fall, about a year before the desired start date. Key steps include open houses (often held September-November), submission of applications by January or February for the following academic year, and required assessments or student shadow days. Schools like St. Mary's Prep and Eastern Christian have specific application deadlines and notification dates in early spring. Financial aid applications usually run concurrently, with deadlines in February/March. It's highly advised for Passaic parents to start research early, as some schools have rolling admissions but popular grades fill quickly. Many schools also host summer information sessions for late applicants, though spaces may be limited.
For families living in Passaic, what are the main considerations when comparing the city's public school district to local private school options?
The primary considerations involve class size, curriculum focus, and cost. Passaic Public Schools are large and face significant challenges, including overcrowding and lower state test scores compared to state averages. This drives many families to consider private options for smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and often, a structured, values-based environment. Private schools in the area typically have more consistent college-prep trajectories. However, the cost is substantial, whereas public schools are free. Transportation can be another factor; while NJ law requires districts to provide busing to private schools within certain distances (up to 20 miles for high school), parents must confirm logistics with the Passaic district. The decision often hinges on a family's priority on religious education, perceived school safety, and academic rigor versus the financial commitment.
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