The Best Private Schools in Summit, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Summit. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Kent Place School
Independent
Kent Place School is a prestigious independent all-girls school serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Founded in 1894, the school has built a reputation for academic excellence and character development. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, and global citizenship with particularly strong programs in STEM fields. The 45-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. Kent Place consistently sends graduates to top-tier colleges and universities while maintaining a supportive, inclusive community environment.
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The Wardlaw+Hartridge School
Independent
Located in nearby Edison, The Wardlaw+Hartridge School serves students from Summit and surrounding communities with a comprehensive PreK-12 educational experience. The school offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, providing rigorous academic challenges. Notable features include dedicated STEM laboratories, competitive athletics programs, and extensive arts offerings. The diverse student body benefits from small class sizes and individualized attention, with a focus on developing ethical leaders and global citizens. The school maintains strong college placement records and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities.
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Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is a Catholic independent school located in Summit serving boys in elementary grades and girls from kindergarten through grade 12. Founded by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, the school combines rigorous academics with character formation rooted in Catholic values. The college preparatory curriculum includes advanced placement courses and honors programs across all disciplines. The 25-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. Oak Knoll emphasizes community service, leadership development, and preparing students for success in college and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Summit, New Jersey
What are the main types of private schools available in Summit, NJ, and how do they differ?
Summit, NJ, offers a diverse range of prestigious private schools, primarily categorized as independent day schools and faith-based institutions. Leading independent schools like Kent Place School (all-girls, K-12) and The Wardlaw+Hartridge School (co-ed, PreK-12) offer rigorous college-preparatory curricula with extensive arts, athletics, and STEM programs. Faith-based options include Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child (all-girls, K-12, Catholic independent). These schools are known for small class sizes, exceptional faculty, and high college matriculation rates. Unlike many areas, Summit's proximity to New York City also means some families consider elite boarding/day options in nearby communities, but the in-town schools are highly competitive and self-contained.
How does the tuition for private schools in Summit, NJ, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at top Summit private schools is among the highest in New Jersey, often exceeding the state's private school average. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition for upper schools at Kent Place, Wardlaw+Hartridge, and Oak Knoll generally ranges from $45,000 to $55,000. This reflects the area's high cost of living, exceptional facilities, and faculty salaries. However, these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer substantial need-based financial aid. It's common for 20-30% of the student body to receive aid, with packages that can cover a significant portion of tuition. Parents should apply for aid simultaneously with admissions, using tools like the Clarity Application, as deadlines are strict.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for competitive private schools in Summit, NJ?
The process for Summit's top private schools is highly structured and begins well over a year before intended entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically in the fall), submitting applications by early January (often with standardized testing like the ISEE or SSAT), student interviews and visits in January/February, and notification dates in mid-March. For kindergarten entry, applying two years in advance is not uncommon due to sibling and legacy preferences. A unique aspect of the Summit area is the coordination among some schools to align notification dates, but parents should be prepared for a competitive landscape where applying to multiple schools is standard practice.
How do the academic and extracurricular offerings at Summit private schools leverage their unique location?
Private schools in Summit capitalize on their location in a wealthy, corporate suburb near New York City. Academically, this translates to robust partnerships with nearby pharmaceutical and tech companies for STEM internships, as well as easy access to NYC for arts and cultural field trips. Extracurricularly, schools have elite athletic facilities and compete in the competitive Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Furthermore, their proximity to major universities and corporate headquarters allows for a steady stream of expert guest speakers and unique senior project opportunities in fields like finance, biotechnology, and media, providing a distinct advantage in college preparation.
For families moving to Summit, what is the key consideration when choosing between the highly-rated public schools and the private school options?
Summit is unique in that it boasts one of New Jersey's top-ranked public school districts (Summit Public Schools), making the choice particularly nuanced. The decision often hinges on educational philosophy and specific student needs. The public schools offer excellence at no tuition, with strong AP programs and resources. Private schools in Summit offer more specialized attention (with student-teacher ratios often below 8:1 vs. public's ~12:1), distinct pedagogical approaches (like Oak Knoll's Holy Child network), single-gender education (Kent Place, Oak Knoll), and more flexibility in curriculum design. Families often choose private for a more tailored, values-based, or intensive college-counseling environment, despite the significant financial investment.
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