The Best Private Schools in West Milford, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in West Milford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Willow School
Independent School
The Willow School is an acclaimed independent private school located in Gladstone, serving students from pre-K through 8th grade. While approximately 30 minutes from West Milford, it attracts families from throughout the region seeking exceptional progressive education. The school is renowned for its innovative approach that integrates environmental science and sustainability throughout the curriculum. The campus features state-of-the-art green buildings, extensive outdoor learning spaces, and nature trails. Academic programs emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and character development through hands-on, project-based learning. The school maintains small class sizes with highly qualified faculty and offers comprehensive arts, music, and athletic programs. Parents consistently rate the school highly for its unique educational philosophy and outstanding student outcomes.
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Academy of Our Lady
Archdiocese of Newark
Academy of Our Lady is a highly-regarded Catholic private school serving students from pre-K through 8th grade. Located just minutes from West Milford in Ringwood, this school has maintained exceptional academic standards for nearly five decades. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with strong emphasis on faith-based education, STEM programs, and character development. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art rooms, and athletic facilities. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and dedicated faculty with low student-teacher ratios. Extracurricular activities include competitive sports teams, music programs, and various clubs.
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St. Francis of Assisi School
Archdiocese of Newark
St. Francis of Assisi School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and is located in nearby Haskell, just a short drive from West Milford. The school has built a strong reputation for academic excellence and community values over nearly four decades. The curriculum emphasizes core academic subjects with advanced programs in mathematics and language arts, complemented by comprehensive technology integration across all grade levels. The school features modern facilities including smart classrooms, computer labs, and a well-equipped library. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and strong sense of community. The school offers various extracurricular activities including sports, choir, and academic clubs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in West Milford, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options available within West Milford, NJ, and what are their educational philosophies?
West Milford, NJ, offers a few distinct private school options, each with a unique approach. The Academy of Our Lady is a Catholic school providing a faith-based education for students in Pre-K through 8th grade. St. Francis of Assisi School is another Catholic institution serving grades Pre-K to 8, emphasizing community and service. For families seeking a secular, progressive education, The Willow School in nearby Gladstone (serving the region) focuses on environmental stewardship, ethical literacy, and a place-based curriculum for students from nursery through 8th grade. Given the limited number of schools within township borders, many West Milford families also consider private schools in surrounding Passaic and Sussex County towns.
How does tuition for private schools in the West Milford, NJ, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to New Jersey?
Tuition in the West Milford area varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, area Catholic schools like Academy of Our Lady and St. Francis typically have tuition ranging from approximately $6,000 to $9,000 annually for parishioners, with slightly higher rates for non-parishioners. The Willow School, as an independent school, has a higher tuition, often exceeding $30,000. New Jersey offers specific financial aid opportunities that local families can explore, including the NJ FamilyCare/Children's Program for health-related services and the state's tax-advantaged 529 plan, which can now be used for K-12 tuition. Additionally, many schools have their own need-based financial aid and scholarship programs, and some may participate in the NJ STARS/STARS II programs for later high school achievement.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do West Milford area private schools offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in and around West Milford uniquely capitalize on the township's rural, lake-dotted setting within the Highlands region. The Willow School’s entire curriculum is built around its sustainable campus and environmental ethics, with outdoor classrooms and a focus on local ecology. The Catholic schools often integrate the natural beauty into their science programs and outdoor activities. Furthermore, given West Milford's proximity to major highways, some schools facilitate specialized programs or partnerships that might not be available in more urban districts, such as enhanced STEM labs, arts partnerships, and outdoor education trips that utilize the local state parks and reservoirs for experiential learning.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in West Milford, NJ, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for West Milford area private schools generally begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year. For schools like Academy of Our Lady and St. Francis of Assisi, priority is often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners, with open enrollment for the community beginning in January. The Willow School, due to its smaller size and unique model, typically has a more extensive application process that may include student visits and parent interviews, starting even earlier. Given the limited seats, especially in the lower grades, it is common for popular schools to have waitlists. We strongly recommend contacting schools directly by October or November to request information and attend open houses.
For a family in West Milford, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school district to private school options?
The key considerations for West Milford families involve educational approach, class size, and specific student needs. The West Milford Township Public School District is a large, comprehensive K-12 district known for its programs and extracurriculars. Choosing a private school often comes down to seeking a specific religious foundation (Catholic education), a progressive, environment-focused pedagogy (like The Willow School), or smaller class sizes for more individualized attention. Transportation is a practical factor; while NJ law mandates some transportation for private school students, the specifics and distances in a sprawling township like West Milford can vary. Financially, families weigh tuition against potential savings on some extracurricular costs and the value they place on a specialized educational philosophy not offered in the public system.
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