The Most Sought-After Independent and Private Schools of 2026
Choosing the right independent or private school can feel like navigating a maze. As you evaluate your options, you may wonder which schools other students are interested in.
Each year, we analyze thousands of student declarations of interest to identify the 50 most sought-after independent and private schools. Whether you’re starting your school search or refining your shortlist, these rankings provide valuable insight into 2026 admissions trends across independent and private schools.
Ready to find out who made the list? Here are the most sought-after independent and private schools of 2026!
The Taft School
Established date: 1890
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9–12, with postgraduate options
Total enrollment: 592
Annual tuition: $81,400 (Boarding); $60,050 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 36% of students receive financial aid. The school has a $13.45 million financial aid budget.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for The Taft School.
The Packer Collegiate Institute
Established date: 1845
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: 1,000+
Annual tuition: $43,040 (Pre-K, five mornings); $60,430 (Pre-K, five full days); $63,330 (Kindergarten–Grade 2); $64,780 (Grades 3–4); $65,275 (Grades 5–12)
Financial aid allotment: Over $13 million awarded in financial aid annually.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for Packer Collegiate Institute.
The John Cooper School
Established date: 1988
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: 1,400
Annual tuition: $32,300 (Lower School); $34,775 (Middle School); $36,240 (Upper School)
Financial aid allotment: $5.8 million; 22% of students receive aid
Learn more about target ISEE scores for The John Cooper School.
Miami Country Day School
Established date: 1938
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: 1,400
Annual tuition: $43,600 (Early Childhood); $46,200 (Grades 1–4); $50,100 (Grade 5); $53,800 (Grades 6–8); $56,400 (Grades 9–12)
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Miami Country Day School.
The Bishop’s School
Established date: 1909
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 6–12
Total enrollment: 800
Annual tuition: $52,500
Financial aid allotment: Financial aid allotment: Approximately 20% of students receive financial aid. The school grants approximately $5.3 million annually, with an average financial aid grant of $33,262.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for The Bishop’s School.
Buckingham Browne and Nichols
Established date: 1883
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: 1,042
Annual tuition: $49,000 (Beginners–Grade 3); $54,500 (Grades 4–5); $67,200 (Grade 6); $69,800 (Grades 7–12)
Financial aid allotment: 25% of students receive need-based financial assistance. The school allocates over $7.4 million to its financial aid program annually.
Check out target ISEE/SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Buckingham Browne & Nichols.
Providence Day School
Established date: 1970
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: TK–12
Total enrollment: 1,877
Annual tuition: $25,510 (Transitional Kindergarten); $28,010 (Kindergarten); $32,960 (Grades 1–5); $36,325 (Grades 6–12)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 21% of families receive financial assistance based on demonstrated financial need.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for Providence Day School.
Poly Prep
Established date: 1854
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Nursery–12
Total enrollment: 1,156 to 1,162
Annual tuition: $39,478 (Nursery, five mornings); $60,300 (Nursery, five full days); $60,700 (Pre-K); $67,386 (Kindergarten–Grade 4); $70,076–$71,852 (Grades 5–12)
Financial aid allotment: over $2 million
Ursuline Academy
Established date: 1874
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 900
Annual tuition: $30,550
Financial aid allotment: $8.3 million; 18% of students receive aid
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Ursuline Academy of Dallas.
Head-Royce School
Established date: 1887
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K–12
Total enrollment: 921
Annual tuition: $43,980 (Grades K–5); $49,800 (Grades 6–8); $62,900 (Grades 9–12)
Financial aid allotment: More than 25% of students receive tuition assistance, with more than $8 million awarded for the 2026–2027 school year.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Head-Royce.
St. Thomas High School
Established date: 1900
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 791
Annual tuition: $27,900
Financial aid allotment: Approximately one-third of students receive financial aid or scholarships; the school awards more than $3.5 million annually.
Learn more about target scores on their website.
The Overlake School
Established date: 1967
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 5–12
Total enrollment: 575
Annual tuition: $51,156
Financial aid allotment: The school awards approximately $1.8 million in financial aid annually to ensure accessibility for deserving families.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for Overlake School.
Houston Christian High School
Established date: 1998
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 540
Annual tuition: $33,880, plus applicable new-student and technology fees
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 37% of students receive adjusted tuition through the school’s need-based Indexed Tuition program; $2.5 million is awarded in financial aid overall.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Houston Christian High School.
The College Preparatory School
Established date: 1960
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 370
Annual tuition: $62,760
Financial aid allotment: $14.2 million awarded for 2026–2027; 33% of students receive financial aid, with the average grant covering 80% of tuition.
The Loomis Chaffee School
Established date: 1874
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 748
Annual tuition: $77,340 (Boarding); $59,460 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: $14.2 million awarded for the 2026–2027 school year; 33% of students receive financial aid, with the average grant covering 80% of tuition.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for The Loomis Chaffee School.
Lakeside School
Established date: 1919
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 5–12
Total enrollment: 876
Annual tuition: $52,000
Financial aid allotment: 30% of students receive financial aid. The school awarded more than $10 million in tuition assistance for 2025–2026, in addition to supporting non-tuition expenses.
Check out target SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Lakeside School.
St. Paul’s School
Established date: 1856
Type of school: Boarding
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 538
Annual tuition: $75,400
Financial aid allotment: Nearly 40% of students receive financial aid. U.S. families with annual household incomes up to $150,000 generally qualify for full tuition support.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for St. Paul’s School.
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (Jesuit Dallas)
Established date: 1942
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 1,100
Annual tuition: $27,450; seniors pay an additional $700 senior fee.
Financial aid allotment: More than 25% of students receive financial assistance; approximately $3 million was awarded in the most recently reported year.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Jesuit Dallas.
The Harker School
Established date: 1893
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: TK–12
Total enrollment: 2,040
Annual tuition: $46,350 (Transitional Kindergarten); $51,550 (Kindergarten–Grade 5); $61,450 (Grades 6–8); $66,950 (Grades 9–12)
Financial aid allotment: 10% of students receive financial aid. The school distributes approximately $5.4 million in need-based assistance annually.
Check out target ISEE/SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into The Harker School.
Gulliver Preparatory School
Established date: 1926
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Annual tuition: $32,540–$33,490 (Primary); $37,510–$44,570 (Lower School); $46,160–$47,780 (Middle School); $49,850–$55,410 (Upper School)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 12% to 15% of families receive need-based financial aid or merit scholarships.
Flintridge Preparatory School
Established date: 1933
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 7–12
Total enrollment: 530
Annual tuition: $53,750
Average financial aid allotment: Financial aid allotment: 25% of students receive need-based financial assistance.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Flintridge Preparatory School.
Awty International School
Established date: 1956
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: Over 1,800
Annual tuition: $27,200 (Pre-K3–Pre-K4); $29,900 (Kindergarten–Grade 5); $33,800 (Grades 6–8); $36,900 (Grades 9–12)
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more about target ISEE scores for the Awty International School.
Bishop Lynch High School
Established date: 1963
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 1,000 to 1,025
Annual tuition: $26,900
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 44% of families receive need-based assistance or merit scholarships. Total financial aid and merit scholarships reached $4.78 million.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Bishop Lynch High School.
The Hockaday School
Established date: 1913
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: 1,133
Annual tuition: $32,400–$34,900 (Pre-K–Kindergarten); $37,500–$38,900 (Grades 1–4); $44,800–$46,900 (Grades 5–12 Day); $73,200–$75,500 (Boarding)
Financial aid allotment: The school awards approximately $3 million in tuition assistance annually based on demonstrated financial need.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for The Hockaday School.
Groton School
Established date: 1884
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 8–12
Total enrollment: 380
Annual tuition: $65,710 (Boarding); $51,110 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: 40% of students receive financial aid. The school leverages a $611 million endowment to back its inclusion and affordability outreach programs.
Learn more about target SSAT/ISEE scores for Groton School.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Established date: 1906
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 1–12
Total enrollment: 900 to 912
Annual tuition: $36,365 (Grades 1–4); $42,660 (Grades 5–8); $44,795 (Grades 9–12)
Average financial aid award: Approximately 14% to 15% of students receive need-based financial assistance. The school awards over $6.1 million in financial aid annually.
Learn more on the St. Mark’s School of Texas website.
The Pingry School
Established date: 1861
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K–12
Total enrollment: 1,133 to 1,142
Annual tuition: $47,200 (Grades K–3); $48,700 (Grades 4–5); $54,300 (Grade 6); $57,550 (Grades 7–8); $58,250 (Grades 9–12)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 15% to 16% of students receive need-based financial aid. The school awards $8.3 million in tuition assistance annually.
The Dalton School
Established date: 1919
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K–12
Total enrollment: 1,330
Annual tuition: $70,800
Financial aid allotment: Over 20% of students receive financial aid. The school distributes more than $15 million in need-based assistance annually
Check out target ISEE/SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Dalton.
Newark Academy
Established date: 1774
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 6–12
Total enrollment: 665 to 670
Annual tuition: $50,800 (Grades 6–8); $53,400 (Grades 9–12)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 17% of students receive need-based financial aid. The school has a $4.3 million financial aid budget for the 2026–2027 school year.
Learn more about target ISEE/SSAT scores for Newark Academy.
St. Agnes Academy
Established date: 1906
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 922 to 934
Annual tuition: $28,400
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 20% of students receive financial aid. The school awards nearly $2.95 million in need-based financial assistance annually.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for St. Agnes Academy.
Trinity School
Established date: 1709
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K–12
Total enrollment: 1,040
Annual tuition: $67,340 (Grades K–11); $67,820 (Grade 12)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 21% of the student body receives financial aid. The school awards over $12.5 million in need-based financial assistance annually.
Check out target ISEE scores and our guide on How to Get Into Trinity School.
Ransom Everglades School
Established date: 1903
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 6–12
Total enrollment: 1,239
Annual tuition: $57,300
Financial aid allotment: 18% of students receive financial aid. The school awards over $9.5 million in financial aid assistance annually, with an average grant of $42,850.
Check out target ISEE and SSAT scores for Ransom Everglades.
Windward School
Established date: 1971
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 7–12
Total enrollment: 635 to 640
Annual tuition: $55,800
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 15% of families receive financial assistance. The school allocates over $4.5 million to its financial aid budget annually.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Windward School.
Greenhill School
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: 1,332 to 1,350
Annual tuition: $34,100 (Pre-K–Kindergarten); $38,300 (Grades 1–4); $43,100 (Grades 5–8); $44,850 (Grades 9–12)
Financial aid allotment: 16% of students receive financial aid. The school awards over $5.2 million in need-based financial assistance annually.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Greenhill School.
Milton Academy
Established date: 1798
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: K–12
Total enrollment: 1,020 to 1,031 across K–12 (710 to 717 in Upper School)
Annual tuition: $79,900 (Boarding, Grades 9–12); $69,900 (Day, Grades 9–12); $68,500 (Grades 6–8); $54,500 (Grades 4–5); $50,500 (Kindergarten–Grade 3)
Financial aid allotment: 37% of Upper School students receive financial aid. The school has a $16.5 million financial aid budget for the 2026–2027 school year, with the average grant covering 77% of tuition.
Check out target SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Milton Academy.
Episcopal High School
Established date: 1839
Type of school: Boarding
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 440 to 467
Annual tuition: $77,700 (boarding)
Financial aid allotment: 35% of the student body receives financial assistance. The school awards roughly $9.6 million in aid annually, with an average need-based grant of about $59,000.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for Episcopal High School.
The Lawrenceville School
Established date: 1810
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9–12
Total enrollment: 802 to 827
Annual tuition: $82,710 (Boarding); $68,060 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 31% of the student body receives financial aid. The school distributes more than $16.2 million in financial assistance annually, meeting 100% of families’ demonstrated financial need.
Check out target ISEE/SSAT scores for The Lawrenceville School.
Noble and Greenough School
Established date: 1866
Type of school: Day/5-day boarding
Grade levels: 7–12
Total enrollment: 639
Annual tuition: $66,600 (Day); $72,400 (5-Day Boarding)
Financial aid allotment: 33% of students receive financial assistance. The school allocates over $6.4 million to its financial aid program annually.
Check out target ISEE/SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get into Noble and Greenough School.
The Hotchkiss School
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9–12, with postgraduate options
Annual tuition: $80,800 (Boarding); $68,700 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: 33% of Hotchkiss students receive financial aid. The school funds over $13.9 million in financial support annually, with 27% of students on aid attending tuition-free
Sage Hill School
Established date: 2000
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 7–12
Total enrollment: 730
Annual tuition: $58,100
Financial aid allotment: 17% of students receive financial aid (Flexible Tuition). The school allocates a $5 million flexible tuition budget.
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Sage Hill School.
Deerfield Academy
Established date: 1797
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9–12, with postgraduate options
Total enrollment: 650 to 654
Annual tuition: $79,940 (Boarding); $57,850 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: Approximately 38% to 39% of families receive financial assistance. The school has a $15.9 million financial aid budget, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need with $0 tuition for domestic families making under $150,000.
Learn more about target SSAT scores for Deerfield Academy.
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 1,337 to 1,390
Annual tuition: $29,970
Financial aid allotment: Roughly 25% of the student body receives financial aid from a budget of $6.4 million
Learn more about target ISEE scores for Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.
Horace Mann School
Established date: 1887
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Nursery–12
Total enrollment: 1,800
Annual tuition: $68,700 (Threes full day–Grade 12); $49,350 (Threes half days)
Financial aid allotment: 17.5% of students receive financial aid. The school awards over $19,500,000 annually.
Check out target ISEE scores and our guide on How to Get Into Horace Mann.
Riverdale Country School
Established date: 1907
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K–12
Total enrollment: 1,300
Annual tuition: $69,300
Financial aid allotment: 20% of students receive financial aid. The school has a $12 million financial aid budget
Check out target SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Riverdale Country School.
The Kinkaid School
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K-12
Total enrollment: 1,469
Annual tuition: $32,110 (Grades PK–4); $37,620 (Grades 5–8); $38,960 (Grades 9–12)
Average financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more about target target ISEE scores for The Kinkaid School.
St. John’s School
Established date: 1946
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,413–1,422
Annual tuition: $32,125 (Lower School); $36,370 (Middle School); $38,530 (Upper School)
Financial aid allotment: 13% of students receive financial aid. The school has a $5.3 million financial aid budget for the 2026–2027 school year.
Check out target ISEE scores and our guide on How to Get Into St. John’s School.
Choate Rosemary Hall
Established date: 1890
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9–12, with postgraduate options
Total enrollment: Approximately 860 students (about 75% boarding)
Annual tuition: $73,530 (Boarding); $56,610 (Day), plus a $1,000 technology fee.
Financial aid allotment: 36% of students receive financial aid. The school has a $17 million annual financial aid budget, with the average grant offsetting 79% of tuition.
Check out target ISEE/SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Choate Rosemary Hall.
Harvard-Westlake School
Established date: 1900 (Harvard School); Harvard-Westlake was formed through a merger in 1991.
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 7–12
Total enrollment: 1,620
Annual tuition: $54,900
Financial aid allotment: 21% of students receive financial aid. The school has a $16.8 million financial aid budget for the 2026–2027 school year.
Check out target ISEE scores and our guide on How to Get Into Harvard-Westlake.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Established date: 1781
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 7-12
Total enrollment: 1,096
Annual tuition: $71,797 (Boarding); $56,077 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: 49% of students receive financial aid. The school awards approximately $30 million in financial assistance annually.
Check out target ISEE/SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Exeter.
Phillips Academy Andover
Established date: 1778
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 1,169
Annual tuition: $79,800 (Boarding); $63,840 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: 47% of students receive financial aid. The school awards approximately $29.7 million annually
Check out target SSAT scores and our guide on How to Get Into Andover.
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Originally published on October 29, 2026. Updated on October 29, 2026.
