The Best Private Schools in West Windsor, New Jersey
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in West Windsor. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Peddie School
Independent
The Peddie School is a highly prestigious coeducational boarding and day school located just minutes from West Windsor. With a 156-year legacy of academic excellence, Peddie offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with particularly strong STEM programs, extensive arts offerings, and competitive athletics. The school features a beautiful 280-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities including science centers, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. Student-teacher ratio of 6:1 ensures personalized attention, and graduates consistently gain admission to top-tier universities. The school serves both local day students from West Windsor and boarding students from around the world.
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Princeton Day School
Independent
Princeton Day School is a premier independent school located just 10 minutes from West Windsor, serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school offers a comprehensive liberal arts education with exceptional STEM programs, outstanding arts facilities, and competitive athletic teams. PDS features a 106-acre campus with modern academic buildings, science laboratories, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes critical thinking, ethical leadership, and global citizenship. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Princeton Day School provides a challenging yet supportive environment that prepares students for top colleges and universities.
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Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Stuart Country Day School is an independent all-girls Catholic school located in Princeton, serving students from preschool through grade 12. As part of the global Network of Sacred Heart Schools, Stuart offers a rigorous academic program with particular strengths in STEM education, leadership development, and the arts. The school's 55-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, innovation spaces, athletic facilities, and performing arts centers. Stuart emphasizes educating women to be leaders and change-makers, with a focus on intellectual values, social awareness, and personal growth. The school welcomes students from West Windsor and surrounding communities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in West Windsor, New Jersey
What are the primary private school options serving families in West Windsor, NJ, and are they located within the township?
While West Windsor itself is primarily served by its highly-rated public school district, several prestigious private schools are located in the immediate surrounding Princeton area and enroll West Windsor residents. The most notable are The Peddie School (a co-ed boarding/day school in Hightstown), Princeton Day School (co-ed, Pre-K-12 in Princeton), and Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (all-girls, Pre-K-12 in Princeton). These schools are a short commute from West Windsor and represent top-tier independent education with national reputations. There are no major private school campuses physically located within West Windsor Township boundaries.
How does the tuition for top private schools near West Windsor, NJ, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Princeton area is among the highest in New Jersey. For the 2024-25 academic year, day student tuition at these schools often ranges from approximately $40,000 to over $55,000 for upper grades, significantly above the NJ private school average. However, these institutions are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. For example, Princeton Day School and Peddie School award millions in aid annually to a significant percentage of their student bodies. Families are encouraged to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admissions, as these schools use methodologies like the Clarity Application to assess need.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs draw West Windsor families to private schools in this region?
The private schools near West Windsor are renowned for programs that complement and exceed the strong offerings of the local public schools. Key draws include: globally-focused curricula and travel programs at Stuart Country Day; exceptional independent science research and engineering facilities at Princeton Day School; and Peddie School’s distinctive signature programs like the Peddie Engineering and Design (PED) Studio and its aquatic center for competitive swimming. Additionally, all three schools offer unparalleled arts facilities, championship athletics, and deep connections to the intellectual and cultural resources of Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools near West Windsor, NJ?
The admissions process for schools like Peddie, PDS, and Stuart is highly structured and begins well in advance. The timeline typically starts in the fall, with open houses and tours from September to November. Application deadlines for the following academic year are usually in January (e.g., January 15th or 31st). Required components almost always include a standardized test (like the SSAT or ISEE), teacher recommendations, school transcripts, a student essay, and a family interview. Admissions decisions are released in March. For the most selective grades (like 9th entry), starting the process 12-18 months in advance is advisable. Sibling and legacy applicants may have slightly different timelines.
For families in West Windsor's excellent public school district, what are the key factors in deciding to consider a private school?
This is a significant consideration given West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District's (WW-P) consistent top-10 state ranking. Families often consider private options for distinct reasons: a desire for smaller class sizes and more personalized attention than even WW-P's large high schools can provide; a specific educational philosophy (e.g., all-girls environment at Stuart, or a boarding/day blend at Peddie); more flexible or specialized curriculum tracks in areas like independent research or the arts; and, for some, a community explicitly centered around a shared mission. The decision often comes down to seeking a particular type of learning environment or community fit that aligns with a child’s individual needs, rather than a reflection on the quality of the local public schools.
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