The Best Private Schools in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ridgefield Park. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Academy of the Holy Angels
Independent Catholic College Preparatory School
Academy of the Holy Angels is a highly-regarded independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women serving Bergen County and surrounding areas. Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with 24 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM programs, and comprehensive arts education. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school emphasizes personalized education and has a 100% college acceptance rate. The school serves students from over 70 communities throughout northern New Jersey.
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Immaculate Heart Academy
Independent Catholic College Preparatory School
Immaculate Heart Academy is a premier all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school serving Bergen County and the greater northern New Jersey region. The academy offers a comprehensive curriculum with 22 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM opportunities, and competitive athletic programs. The 27-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, fine arts studios, and athletic facilities. With a commitment to developing women of faith, scholarship, and leadership, IHA maintains small class sizes and personalized attention. The school draws students from multiple communities throughout the region and has an outstanding college placement record.
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Bergen Catholic High School
Private Catholic School
Bergen Catholic High School is a highly-respected all-boys Catholic college preparatory school serving students from throughout Bergen County and surrounding areas. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM initiatives, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The campus features modern academic facilities, advanced science and technology labs, and extensive athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence. Bergen Catholic serves students from over 100 communities and maintains strong college placement results with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
What are the main private school options for Ridgefield Park, NJ residents, and are they located within the village itself?
Ridgefield Park itself is a small village without a large number of private schools within its immediate borders. However, residents have excellent access to some of Bergen County's most prestigious private institutions in nearby towns. The most notable options include Academy of the Holy Angels (all-girls, Demarest), Immaculate Heart Academy (all-girls, Washington Township), and Bergen Catholic High School (all-boys, Oradell). These schools are all within a 15-25 minute drive and are the primary private secondary destinations for Ridgefield Park families. For younger grades, local Catholic elementary schools like St. Francis of Assisi in Ridgefield Park serve the community.
How does the tuition for top private high schools near Ridgefield Park, NJ compare, and what financial aid options are available?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition for the leading private schools in the Bergen County area typically ranges from approximately $18,000 to $22,000. Schools like Academy of the Holy Angels, Immaculate Heart Academy, and Bergen Catholic High School all fall within this range. New Jersey offers limited state-funded assistance programs for private schools, but these institutions themselves offer substantial need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. It is crucial to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admissions, using platforms like FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Many families also utilize the NJ FamilyCare/Child Care Assistance programs for eligible younger children.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible from Ridgefield Park offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools in the Ridgefield Park area often provide specialized programs not typically found in the public district. For example, Academy of the Holy Angels offers a renowned STEM Scholars program and extensive international travel opportunities. Immaculate Heart Academy has a strong focus on women's leadership and a comprehensive fine arts curriculum. Bergen Catholic High School provides a distinctive Corporate Work Study Program where students gain professional experience. These schools also generally offer a wider array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, smaller class sizes, and more individualized college counseling than the Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools near Ridgefield Park, NJ?
The process for schools like Holy Angels, IHA, and Bergen Catholic is highly structured and begins over a year in advance. The timeline typically starts with open houses in the fall (September-October) of a student's 7th grade year for 9th grade entry. Entrance exams (usually the HSPT) are administered in November or December. Applications are due shortly after, by early January. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are communicated in February. This accelerated timeline is critical for Ridgefield Park parents to note, as it is much earlier than public school registration. Siblings and legacy applicants often receive priority consideration.
For a family in Ridgefield Park, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools and a private school in Bergen County?
The decision hinges on several factors specific to the Ridgefield Park context. Academically, the private options offer a more rigorous, college-preparatory environment with consistently high rankings. Socially, the private schools draw from a much wider geographic area (dozens of towns), which can broaden your child's network but may require more effort to maintain local friendships. Logistically, attending a private school means a daily commute and associated costs. Financially, it requires a significant investment versus the no-tuition public system. Culturally, the private schools are faith-based (Catholic), while Ridgefield Park public schools are secular. Many families value the structured environment and moral education offered by the private institutions as a key differentiator.
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