The Best Private Schools in Saddle River, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Saddle River. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Saddle River Day School
Independent
Saddle River Day School is an independent coeducational day school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Known for its rigorous academic program and personalized approach, the school offers small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1. The curriculum includes extensive Advanced Placement offerings, comprehensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts spaces, and modern athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and college preparation, with graduates consistently attending top-tier universities.
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The Academy of the Holy Angels
Catholic Independent
The Academy of the Holy Angels is an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women serving grades 9-12. Located just 15 minutes from Saddle River, this historic institution offers a comprehensive academic program with over 20 Advanced Placement courses, specialized STEM Academy, and extensive arts programs. The school features modern science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. With a strong focus on leadership development and community service, Holy Angels prepares students for success in college and beyond, maintaining a 100% college acceptance rate.
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The Elisabeth Morrow School
Independent
The Elisabeth Morrow School serves students from age 3 through 8th grade, located just 10 minutes from Saddle River. This prestigious independent school offers a comprehensive educational experience with strong emphasis on academic fundamentals, character development, and community engagement. The school features innovative STEAM labs, extensive outdoor learning spaces, and specialized facilities for arts and music. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school provides a nurturing environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and personal growth, preparing students for competitive secondary school placements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Saddle River, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options serving families in Saddle River, NJ, and what are their key educational models?
Saddle River itself is home to the highly regarded **Saddle River Day School**, a co-educational, college-preparatory day school for grades Pre-K through 12, known for its small class sizes and strong arts and athletics programs. Just across the border in neighboring towns, families frequently consider **The Academy of the Holy Angels** in Demarest, an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory high school, and **The Elisabeth Morrow School** in Englewood, which offers a progressive, child-centered education from ages 3 through Grade 8. These schools represent the core of the private school landscape for Saddle River residents, offering distinct models from non-sectarian progressive to single-gender Catholic.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Saddle River, NJ, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in this affluent Bergen County area is at the higher end of the spectrum. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Saddle River Day School tuition ranges from approximately $38,000 in the lower school to over $50,000 for upper school. The Elisabeth Morrow School reports similar figures for its grade levels. The Academy of the Holy Angels, as a Catholic school, has a lower tuition, typically in the $20,000-$25,000 range. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and Saddle River Day School and Holy Angels also have merit scholarship programs. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as funds are limited and the process is separate from admissions.
What are the enrollment timelines and key deadlines for applying to private schools like Saddle River Day School?
The private school admissions cycle in the Saddle River area is highly structured and begins early. For entry in the fall, the process typically starts in the summer or early fall of the preceding year. Key steps include attending open houses (often September-November), submitting applications by January deadlines (e.g., January 15th is common), and completing student assessments and interviews by February. Admissions decisions are usually released in March. For the most competitive grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade, starting the process 12-18 months in advance is strongly advised. Saddle River Day School also encourages prospective families to schedule a campus tour well before the application deadline.
Given Saddle River's excellent public school district, what are the primary reasons families choose private schools like Saddle River Day School over the local public schools?
While the Saddle River Public School District is consistently top-ranked, families opt for private options for specific reasons. These often include a desire for a more intimate, small-school environment with lower student-to-teacher ratios, a different educational philosophy (e.g., progressive at Elisabeth Morrow, single-gender at Holy Angels), or a seamless Pre-K-12 continuum. Specialized programs in areas like entrepreneurship, global studies, or intensive arts and athletics can be a draw. Some families also seek a particular community ethos or religious foundation. The choice is less about academic quality and more about finding the best personal fit for a child's learning style and family's values.
What unique extracurricular or academic specializations are offered by private schools in the Saddle River, NJ, vicinity?
Schools in this area offer distinctive programs that leverage their resources and philosophies. **Saddle River Day School** features a renowned "Entrepreneurship & Finance" program, a state-of-the-art STEM and innovation lab, and a strong Mandarin Chinese language track. **The Academy of the Holy Angels** offers unique programs like its Engineering for Women and Justice for All social justice curricula, alongside extensive service-learning opportunities. **The Elisabeth Morrow School** emphasizes its "4 C's" curriculum (Cooperation, Communication, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking) from an early age and has a renowned music and world language program for young children. These specializations provide enriched opportunities beyond the standard curriculum.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Secular Private Schools Near Saddle River, NJ
For parents in Saddle River, New Jersey, the search for the right educational environment is often a top priority, and the query for "secular private schools near me" reflects a desire for a rigorous academic foundation without a specific religious affiliation. This beautiful borough, known for its serene landscapes and strong community, offers access to several exceptional independent schools that prioritize intellectual curiosity, character development, and personalized learning within a non-sectarian framework. Understanding the local landscape is key to making an informed decision that aligns with your family's values and your child's unique needs.
One of the most prominent options right within the community is Saddle River Day School. This coeducational, college-preparatory school serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade and is a prime example of a secular private school focusing on innovative learning and global citizenship. Its intimate campus setting allows for a tight-knit community feel, which many Saddle River families appreciate, blending the benefits of a personalized education with a challenging curriculum that includes advanced STEM initiatives and arts programs. For parents seeking a seamless, continuous educational journey from early childhood through high school graduation, this local institution is a cornerstone.
Venturing just a short drive from Saddle River opens up additional prestigious possibilities. The Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest, while historically Catholic, operates as an independent, college-preparatory school for young women that welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Its academic program is highly secular in its rigorous approach to sciences, humanities, and the arts, emphasizing leadership and empowerment. Many families from Saddle River find its strong sense of community and outstanding academic reputation to be a compelling choice, even if they are not seeking a religiously-oriented education. Similarly, The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood provides an outstanding secular, coeducational experience for children aged three through eighth grade. Renowned for its child-centered philosophy and emphasis on the "four C's" – cooperation, consideration, compassion, and courtesy – it offers a progressive and nurturing foundation that prepares students exceptionally well for the next steps to top-tier day and boarding schools.
When researching "secular private schools near me" from Saddle River, practical considerations extend beyond curriculum. Think about the daily commute along routes like East Saddle River Road or Route 17, as many schools offer robust transportation services or carpool networks common in Bergen County. Engage deeply with each school's culture; attend open houses and shadow days to feel the environment firsthand. The investment in private education here is significant, so explore financial aid options, as many institutions have endowments aimed at fostering socio-economic diversity. Ultimately, the choice involves matching a school’s philosophy with your child’s learning style. The secular private schools accessible from Saddle River provide diverse pathways, from the continuous journey at Saddle River Day School to the specialized, foundational years at Elisabeth Morrow or the empowering all-girls environment at Holy Angels. Your search is supported by a concentration of excellent, non-sectarian institutions dedicated to developing thoughtful, capable, and engaged young learners.
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