Education in the US is expensive, and New York is no exception. It is a city where the cost of living is notoriously high, as is the school education.
The latest data shows the average tuition cost for private schools in New York is $19,999 per year, and for private high schools, the cost is $25,742. This expense can be significantly higher for top-tier schools.
Parents who have the means send their children to these elite private schools because of their smaller class sizes, specialized programs, and more personalized approach to education.
This article lists the 8 most expensive private schools in New York. From impressive facilities to rigorous academic programs, these schools represent the pinnacle of education in the US.
Please note that special education schools usually charge more tuition fees than other schools due to various factors, including a higher teacher-student ratio. However, in this list, we have included only one special education school to incorporate information on different types of private schools.
9. Avenues: The World School
School Type: Co-ed
Average Class Size: 10
Grades: Nursery/Preschool to 12
Location: 259 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Image source: wikipedia.org
Avenues: The World School is an international school system with campuses across several top cities. Its first campus was opened in New York City in 2012. Avenues has three more schools in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Shenzhen, China, and Silicon Valley.
Avenues: The World School was founded by Benno C. Schmidt, Jr., former President of Yale University, Chris Whittle, and Alan Greenberg. Their mission is to redefine the schooling system for today’s fast-changing world.
While studying in this school, the students get an opportunity to know their peers spread across the globe. It develops cross-cultural empathy and 21st-century communication skills. The school aspires for its students to become true global citizens and works towards that goal.
Did you know?
The school and its students were showcased in a documentary called Class Divide, which revolves around the complex issue of gentrification.
8. Northwood School
School Type: Co-ed
Average Class Size: 10
Grades: 9 to12
Location: 92 Northwood Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Image source: lh3.googleusercontent.com
Northwood is regarded as one of the best boarding schools in the nation. It offers a personalized learning experience focussed on hands-on learning. The school is known for quality education, elite sport, college placement, and innovative programming.
Currently, the school has 185 students, 85% of whom stay on campus. The school’s mission statement says, “Northwood School fosters growth in young people so that they may engage their world and lead lives of consequence.”
7. Emma Willard School
School Type: All girls
Average Class Size: 12
Grades: 9 to12
Location: 285 Pawling Avenue, Troy, NY 12180
Image source: lh3.googleusercontent.com
Emma Willard is a two-century-old all-girls school with a rich heritage and intriguing history. One of the pioneers of girls’ education in the US, Emma Hart Willard, founded the school in 1814 out of her home in Middlebury, Vermont.
Williard believed girls deserve the same rich educational experience equal to that of men. She aspired to offer an experience to the girls that empowers them to serve and shape their worlds.
The school continues to carry the mission and nurture each student to explore their intellect and passion. Throughout its journey, Emma Willard School has been recognized as one of the leading college-preparatory boarding and day schools for girls.
Did you know?
Emma Williard was only 23 when she founded the school to offer quality education to girls.
6. Trinity-Pawling School
School Type: All boys (episcopal)
Average Class Size: 12
Grades: 7 to12
Location: 700 Route 22, Pawling, NY 12564
Image source: privateschoolreview.com
Trinity-Pawling is a private boarding school for boys offering individualized hands-on learning experiences to students in grades 7 to 12 and postgraduates. The school offers more than 100 academic courses and 18 AP courses. Educational programs at Trinity-Pawling active and applied learning methods.
The school offers entrepreneurial and ambitious programs to let the students explore their passions and talents and develop collaborative skills.
In addition, the school offers fine arts, music, and theatre classes conducted by some of the experts in the respective field. It also offers a three-part Practicum for the Civic Leadership program that develops problem-solving skills and fosters interdisciplinary exploration.
Did you know?
Trinity-Pawling has 13 athlete teams that compete in the New England Founders League.
5. Millbrook School
School Type: Co-ed
Average Class Size: 14
Grades: 9 to12
Location: 131 Millbrook School Rd, Millbrook, NY 12545
Image source: bbk12e1-cdn.myschoolcdn.com
Millbrook School is a private boarding school located ninety miles north of New York City. The campus sits on 800-acre land in the picturesque Hudson Valley.
The school’s mission statement reads, “In a community where every student is known and needed, Millbrook prepares its students for college and lives of meaning and consequence by instilling the values of respect, integrity, stewardship, service, and curiosity”.
Millbrook has a student body size of 326 students and a teacher-student ratio of 1:8. Besides the rigorous academic program, the school offers a robust art program better than most other independent schools. The art classes are conducted by highly qualified professional artists offering inspiration and superior instructions.
The school also has a strong athlete team that competes with the schools twice its size and regularly achieves success.
Did you know?
Millbrook School was founded in 1931 by Edward Pulling and his wife Lucy on farmland. The school is still in the same location, although many new buildings have come up.
4. Robert Louis Stevenson School
School Type: Alternative (co-ed)
Average Class Size: 8
Grades: 8 to12
Location: 24 W 74th Street, New York, NY 10023
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Stevenson is an alternative school serving students with emotional complexities. This independent college preparatory school incorporates therapeutic components in its teaching method so the students challenged with anxiety, depression, and other mood issues can thrive.
The school aims to prepare all its students for university curricula and campus life, both intellectually and emotionally.
The school has a team of doctoral-level clinical experts who can intervene as and when required. Besides, all the faculty members are trained in evidence-based therapeutic approaches and adept at providing the support the students need to nurture their talents and interests.
Besides working with professionals, the school collaborates with the parents and encourages them to engage in family therapy as required. Parenting workshops are held throughout the year in the school where the parents can learn how to support their children with special emotional needs.
Did you know?
Stevenson began its journey in 1908 as a school for girls. Post-1950s, the school was relaunched as an alternative school with therapeutic support.
3. The Cooke School and Institute
School Type: Special Education (co-ed)
Average Class Size: 12
Grades: Kindergarten to 12
Location: 1713 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029
Image source: images1.privateschoolreview.com
The Cooke School and Institute is the most expensive special education private school in New York. The school serves students between the ages of 5 and 21 with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities.
The school’s curriculum not only focuses on the student’s learning deficits. Rather it is designed on their strengths and interests. Students with a range of strengths and challenges can benefit from Cooke’s innovative and inclusive approach to learning.
Despite being one of the most expensive schools in New York, Cooke’s inclusive policy makes sure that students from all economic backgrounds can enroll.
Did you know?
New York has the largest public school system for students with disabilities in the country.
2. Academics West
School Type: Special Program Emphasis (co-ed)
Average Class Size: 8
Grades: Kindergarten to 12
Location: 37 west 65th street, Floor 5, New York, NY 10023
Image source: academicswest.com
Academic West is a NIPSAA-accredited private school in New York with a teacher-student ratio of 1:3. With its innovative approach, it helps students with emotional and learning differences to identify their strengths and empower them to become more independent, productive, and self-valuing adults.
This high-support college preparatory school is for those who fail to thrive in a typical educational setup and needs extra support to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in post-secondary education autonomously.
Students at Academic West can choose from various tracks, including social-emotional support, executive functioning support, or a fully customized program, to create a tailored program that caters to their unique needs and goals.
Did you know?
The Academy West has a 100% 4-year college acceptance rate.
1. Think Global School
School Type: Special Program Emphasis
Average Class Size: 8
Grades: 10 to12
Location: 1460 Broadway, #4027, New York, NY 10036
Image source: thinkglobalschool.org
Think Global School is the most expensive private school in New York, with an annual tuition of $94,050. The school aspires to bring a whole new approach to education by sending its students to different countries for a first-hand learning experience from multicultural experiences.
It consists of three grades, 10 to 12. Students get an opportunity to live in four countries in one academic year. Students who attend school for three years get to live in 10 countries in total.
While visiting a country, students are involved in projects centered around the real-life problems of that particular country. Through this project-based learning, students develop critical skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
Did you know?
Think Global is one of the world’s most culturally diverse boarding schools. The school has only 60 students who come from 30 different countries.
