The Best Private Schools in Raritan, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Raritan. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Princeton Day School
Independent
Princeton Day School is an elite independent school located about 30 minutes from Raritan, serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. The school offers an academically challenging curriculum with outstanding college placement results. Princeton Day features exceptional facilities including a state-of-the-art STEM center, extensive arts complex, and comprehensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes critical thinking, ethical leadership, and global citizenship. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, students receive unparalleled individual attention. The school offers over 20 athletic teams and numerous arts programs, fostering well-rounded development.
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The Pingry School
Independent
The Pingry School is a highly prestigious independent day school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located just 15 minutes from Raritan, Pingry offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with exceptional academic outcomes. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science and innovation centers, extensive athletic complexes, and outstanding arts facilities. With small class sizes averaging 12-15 students, Pingry provides individualized attention and has a 100% college matriculation rate to top-tier universities. The school emphasizes character education and offers over 80 extracurricular activities.
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Gill St. Bernard's School
Independent
Gill St. Bernard's is a premier independent school located approximately 20 minutes from Raritan, serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, providing exceptional academic flexibility. Features include a 208-acre campus with modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. The school emphasizes project-based learning and character development, with a strong sense of community. Gill St. Bernard's boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and maintains small class sizes for personalized education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Raritan, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options for families living in Raritan, NJ, and are they located within the town itself?
While Raritan itself is a smaller borough, it is situated in a region of Somerset County renowned for its prestigious private schools. The top-tier options most accessible to Raritan residents, like The Pingry School (campuses in Basking Ridge and Short Hills), Gill St. Bernard's School (Gladstone), and Princeton Day School (Princeton), are located in neighboring towns, typically a 15-30 minute drive. There are no major independent day schools within Raritan's immediate borders, so families should plan for commuting. This proximity to multiple highly-ranked institutions is a significant benefit of the Raritan area.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Raritan, NJ, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for the leading schools in the Raritan area is at the high end of the New Jersey spectrum, often exceeding the state's private school average. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect tuition for these schools to range from approximately $40,000 to over $50,000 for upper grades. However, these institutions are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. For example, schools like Pingry and Princeton Day School award millions in aid annually. It is crucial to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admission, as deadlines are strict and funds are allocated early.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by the elite private schools accessible from Raritan, NJ?
The schools in this corridor are known for exceptional, specialized programs. The Pingry School is renowned for its STEM initiatives and nationally competitive athletics. Gill St. Bernard's emphasizes experiential learning with its 100-acre campus featuring a farm and environmental science center, ideal for hands-on education. Princeton Day School offers profound arts integration and global studies programs, leveraging its proximity to Princeton University. For Raritan families, this means access to diverse educational philosophies—from rigorous college-prep to progressive, project-based learning—all within a short commute.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Raritan, NJ, area?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For entry points like Kindergarten, 6th, or 9th grade, families should initiate research 18-24 months in advance. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically in the fall, a year before enrollment), submitting applications by January deadlines, and completing student assessments/interviews by February. Notification dates are usually in March. Given the competitive nature of schools like Pingry and Princeton Day, it is common for Raritan-area families to apply to multiple schools. Early planning is essential, especially for securing required testing and teacher recommendations.
For a family in Raritan comparing local public schools to nearby private options, what are the key differentiating factors?
Raritan is part of the well-regarded Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, which is a strong public option. The choice often hinges on specific family priorities. The private schools offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students vs. 20+), more individualized attention, and specialized facilities (like state-of-the-art labs, arts centers, or athletic complexes). They also provide a distinct community culture and often more extensive global or travel programs. The trade-off, beyond cost, is the daily commute to neighboring towns. The decision typically centers on whether the investment in a tailored, resource-intensive environment aligns with a child's needs and a family's educational values.
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