The Best Private Schools in Goshen, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Goshen. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Chapel Field School
Independent Christian School
Located just 15 minutes from Goshen, The Chapel Field School provides a comprehensive Christian education with strong academic foundations. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement options, championship athletic programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school focuses on character development alongside academic excellence. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces.
Programs:
John S. Burke Catholic High School
Archdiocese of New York
John S. Burke Catholic High School is a co-educational Catholic high school serving the Goshen area with a strong college preparatory program. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with 16 Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and competitive athletic teams. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes faith-based education while maintaining high academic standards, with graduates consistently attending top colleges and universities.
Programs:
The Sterling School
Independent Private School
The Sterling School, located approximately 15 minutes from Goshen, offers a unique Montessori-based education for students from early childhood through middle school. The school emphasizes individualized learning, hands-on experiences, and development of the whole child. Their program includes extensive outdoor education, foreign language instruction, and enrichment classes in arts and music. The campus features beautiful natural surroundings, modern classrooms, and specialized learning environments designed to support the Montessori philosophy while preparing students for future academic success.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Goshen, New York
What are the primary private school options available for families in Goshen, New York, and what educational levels do they serve?
Goshen, NY, is home to a small but distinct set of private schools, primarily serving middle and high school students. The most prominent are John S. Burke Catholic High School (a co-ed Catholic high school, grades 9-12), The Chapel Field School (a Christian school offering grades Pre-K through 12), and The Sterling School (a private special education school for students with learning disabilities, typically serving a wider age range). For families seeking elementary-only private options, they often look to neighboring towns within Orange County, as Goshen's immediate private offerings are more concentrated at the secondary level.
How does tuition at Goshen's private schools compare, and are there New York State-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition varies significantly based on the school's affiliation and program. For the 2024-2025 academic year, John S. Burke Catholic High School tuition is approximately $10,000-$12,000, while Chapel Field's is generally lower. The Sterling School, providing specialized services, has a different tuition structure that is often covered in part by school district placements. Critically, New York State offers the "Child Safety Fund" (also known as the Mandated Services Aid program) for non-public schools, which can provide some per-pupil aid. Additionally, many families utilize New York's 529 College Savings Plan, which now allows for up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary for K-12 tuition. All Goshen-area private schools typically have their own need-based financial aid and scholarship processes.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Goshen area?
Goshen's private schools offer specialized programs that cater to diverse needs. John S. Burke Catholic emphasizes college preparatory academics with a strong focus on faith-based service and notable athletics programs competing in the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA). The Chapel Field School offers a distinctive agricultural science program and hands-on learning opportunities aligned with its Christian worldview. The Sterling School provides a completely unique, highly individualized academic and therapeutic program for students with language-based learning disabilities, speech-language impairments, and other challenges, using a multisensory approach. This range means Goshen parents can find environments from traditional college-prep to highly specialized support.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Burke Catholic in Goshen, NY?
For John S. Burke Catholic High School, the enrollment process for incoming freshmen typically begins in the fall of a student's 8th-grade year. Key steps include attending an Open House (often held in October-November), submitting an application by a stated deadline (usually in early winter), providing transcripts and standardized test scores, and sometimes participating in a placement exam or interview. Acceptance notifications are often sent in late winter or early spring. It's important to note that as a diocesan school, priority is often given to students from partner Catholic elementary schools, but applications from students of all backgrounds are welcome. Chapel Field and Sterling have more rolling admissions processes, but starting inquiries a year in advance is recommended for all schools.
For a family living in the Goshen Central School District, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public schools to private options like Burke or Chapel Field?
The Goshen Central School District is highly regarded, which makes the decision nuanced. Key considerations include: **Educational Approach:** Public schools offer a broad, secular curriculum with extensive resources and AP courses. Private options offer smaller class sizes, religious education (if desired), and distinct pedagogical focuses (e.g., Chapel Field's Christian integration). **Special Needs:** For students requiring specialized learning environments, The Sterling School offers an alternative that public districts may contract with, but an Individualized Education Program (IEP) through the Goshen district is typically involved. **Cost vs. Value:** This weighs the free public education against private tuition, considering the potential for a specific community or values-based environment. **Logistics:** Goshen's private schools draw from across Orange County, potentially meaning longer bus rides (transportation is often provided by home public districts for certain distances) compared to the neighborhood public school. The choice often hinges on a family's priorities for community, class size, religious affiliation, or specialized support.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities