The Best Private Schools in New Hope, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in New Hope. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Solebury School
Independent
Solebury School is an independent co-educational boarding and day school located directly in New Hope. With a 95-year history, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes averaging 10 students. The 90-acre campus features modern academic buildings, arts facilities, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes personalized education with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers extensive AP course options, competitive athletics, and robust arts programs including theater, music, and visual arts.
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George School
Society of Friends (Quaker)
George School is a prestigious Quaker boarding and day school located just 15 minutes from New Hope in Newtown. Founded in 1893, the school offers both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement curricula across a comprehensive academic program. The 240-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including a new science center, arts buildings, and athletic facilities. With a diverse student body from over 30 countries, the school emphasizes global perspectives, community service, and ethical leadership through its Quaker educational philosophy.
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Princeton Day School
Independent
Princeton Day School is a highly-regarded independent school located approximately 25 minutes from New Hope in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1899, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a comprehensive college preparatory program. The school features extensive STEM facilities, including dedicated science and technology centers, along with outstanding arts facilities for music, theater, and visual arts. The 106-acre campus supports a robust athletic program and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, serving many families from the New Hope area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in New Hope, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options serving families in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and what are their key characteristics?
New Hope, PA, is uniquely positioned to offer access to several prestigious private schools. The most prominent are the Solebury School, located directly in New Hope, and the George School in nearby Newtown. Solebury is a co-ed, college-preparatory day and boarding school for grades 9-12, known for its personalized approach and strong arts program. The George School is a Quaker, co-ed boarding and day school for grades 9-12, renowned for its global curriculum, commitment to social justice, and robust International Baccalaureate (IB) program. While not in Pennsylvania, Princeton Day School in New Jersey is also a major consideration for many New Hope families seeking a rigorous, co-ed day school (JK-12) with exceptional facilities. The concentration of such high-caliber institutions in this Bucks County region is a significant local advantage.
How does the tuition for private schools in the New Hope, PA, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the New Hope area is consistent with top-tier independent schools in the Northeast. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at Solebury School and George School is approximately $50,000-$55,000, while Princeton Day School is similarly priced. Boarding tuition is significantly higher. Importantly, all these schools are committed to making education accessible through robust need-based financial aid programs. Pennsylvania also offers tax-advantaged programs like the PA 529 Growth Plan for K-12 expenses and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which can provide scholarships for eligible students attending participating private schools. It is essential to contact each school's admissions and financial aid office directly, as aid packages and eligibility can vary.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs distinguish private schools in the New Hope region?
Schools in this area leverage their unique settings and philosophies to offer distinctive programs. The Solebury School emphasizes experiential learning with its "S-Term," a two-week intensive project period where students engage in internships, travel, or deep-dive studies. The George School's Quaker heritage informs its community-focused ethos and its comprehensive IB Diploma Programme, a less common offering in the region. Its Center for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability coordinates global engagement. The proximity to the Delaware River, New York City, and Philadelphia allows all area schools to incorporate exceptional cultural and environmental resources into their curricula, from theater trips to ecological studies along the river.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Solebury and George School for New Hope residents?
The process is highly structured and begins well in advance. For entry in Fall 2025, families should initiate research in the spring or summer of 2024. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in the fall), submitting applications by January 2025 (with common deadlines around Jan. 15 or Feb. 1), and completing required standardized testing (SSAT or ISEE). Interviews and campus tours are a critical component and should be scheduled for the fall or early winter. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are typically released in March. Given the competitive nature of these schools, especially for boarding spots at George School or selective day enrollment at Solebury, starting early and demonstrating genuine interest is crucial for New Hope applicants.
For a family living in New Hope, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school, New Hope-Solebury School District, with the area's private options?
The New Hope-Solebury (NH-S) School District is highly rated, which makes the decision nuanced. Key considerations include: **Educational Approach:** NH-S offers a strong, traditional public education. Private schools like Solebury and George offer more personalized attention (with student-teacher ratios often below 8:1), progressive pedagogies, and distinct missions (e.g., Quaker values). **Program Scope:** Private schools may offer more specialized courses, global travel, and unique programs like the IB or intensive arts training. **Logistics & Community:** NH-S provides a centralized, community-based K-12 experience. Private day schools involve commuting (to New Hope, Newtown, or Princeton) and potentially a more geographically dispersed peer group, while boarding options offer a residential community. The decision often hinges on whether a family seeks the specific ethos and tailored environment of a private institution versus the excellent, comprehensive local public option.
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