The Best Private Schools in River Edge, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in River Edge. 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. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 24 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM opportunities, and competitive athletic programs. With a beautiful 25-acre campus just minutes from River Edge, Holy Angels provides a supportive environment emphasizing leadership development and community service. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate.
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Bergen Catholic High School
Private Catholic All-Boys School
Bergen Catholic High School is a premier all-boys Catholic college preparatory school located just across the river from River Edge. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with over 20 Advanced Placement courses and specialized programs in STEM, business, and the humanities. Known for its strong athletic tradition and extensive extracurricular offerings, Bergen Catholic provides a well-rounded education emphasizing character development and leadership. The school features modern facilities including state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes.
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The Elisabeth Morrow School
Independent Coeducational Day School
The Elisabeth Morrow School is a highly respected independent school serving students from age 3 through eighth grade, with many families commuting from River Edge and surrounding communities. The school offers a progressive, child-centered education with strong emphasis on academic fundamentals, character development, and community engagement. Features include dedicated science labs, art studios, music rooms, and extensive outdoor learning spaces on their 14-acre campus. The school's comprehensive curriculum includes Spanish language instruction from age 3, robust arts programs, and technology integration across all grade levels.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in River Edge, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in River Edge, NJ, and what grade levels do they serve?
River Edge itself is a small borough, so most top-tier private schools are located in neighboring towns within Bergen County. The most prominent options include Academy of the Holy Angels (Demarest) for girls grades 9-12, Bergen Catholic High School (Oradell) for boys grades 9-12, and The Elisabeth Morrow School (Englewood) for co-ed students from age 3 through 8th grade. While there are no major private high schools within River Edge's borders, its central location in Bergen County provides excellent access to these and other renowned institutions, often with provided or available transportation services.
How does tuition for private schools in the River Edge, NJ area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in this region is significant, reflecting the high cost of living and the quality of education. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $25,000-$50,000 for day high schools and $30,000-$40,000 for top-tier elementary/middle schools like Elisabeth Morrow. New Jersey offers several financial aid avenues. Most schools have robust need-based financial aid programs. Additionally, the state's "FAFSA" for K-12, called the School Aid Form (SAF), is used by many institutions. It's also worth investigating the "Opportunity Scholarship Act" (OSA) though its reach is limited, and some schools participate in diocesan aid programs for Catholic schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from River Edge, NJ, that distinguish them from public options?
Schools in this area often feature specialized programs not typically found in public districts. Academy of the Holy Angels offers a renowned STEM Scholars program and extensive global studies. Bergen Catholic provides a unique Corporate Work Study Program where students offset tuition through professional work, alongside a strong engineering track. The Elisabeth Morrow School emphasizes a "4 C's" curriculum (Courtesy, Cooperation, Conservation, and Compassion) with deep experiential learning from an early age. Furthermore, the proximity to New York City allows many of these schools to incorporate unparalleled arts, internship, and cultural immersion opportunities into their curricula.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the River Edge, NJ area?
The process is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Elisabeth Morrow (pre-K-8), applications often open in September for the following fall, with tours in the autumn, application deadlines in January, and decisions released in March. For high schools like Holy Angels and Bergen Catholic, the process usually starts with open houses in the fall of a student's 7th or 8th grade year. Key steps include taking the HSPT (High School Placement Test) in the fall/winter, submitting applications by December/January, and receiving decisions in February or March. Sibling and legacy applicant considerations are common, so starting the process 12-18 months in advance is strongly advised.
For a family in River Edge, what are the key considerations when deciding between the highly-rated River Edge Public Schools and nearby private institutions?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, specific student needs, and financial investment. River Edge Public Schools (part of the River Dell Regional district for grades 7-12) are consistently high-performing, offering a rigorous, tuition-free education with strong athletics and arts. Choosing a private school typically involves seeking a specific environment: single-gender education, a particular religious foundation (like Catholic education at Holy Angels or Bergen Catholic), or a progressive, child-centered approach like at Elisabeth Morrow. Private schools may offer smaller average class sizes, more specialized programs, and different community dynamics. The cost is substantial, so families must weigh the value of these distinct offerings against the excellent, no-cost public option.
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