The Most Sought-After Schools of 2021
Over the past nine years, Test Innovators has helped more than 150,000 students prepare for the SSAT and the ISEE—the admissions tests required by the most competitive independent schools in the country. Every year we review our data from thousands of test takers to determine the most popular schools.
In 2021, the pandemic continued to disrupt where and how we live, work, and learn. Because of this, some interesting changes emerged on this year’s most sought-after schools list. While we usually see a bit of variation from year to year, 42% of the schools on this year’s list were not on the 2020 list. This is a notable increase in comparison to the 2019 to 2020 variation in which only 26% of schools on the 2020 were not on the 2019 list. Speaking of new schools on this year’s list, we saw a surge in Texas independent schools. This year, 14 of the top 50 schools are in Texas, a significant increase from last year, where only 6 schools from Texas appeared on the list.
Below are the 50 most sought-after independent schools of 2021, based on the number of students who stated their intention to apply this year. Keep in mind that there are many wonderful schools not included on this list that may be perfect for you.
We’ve also put together an interactive visualization of these top 50 at the bottom of the list.
Polytechnic School
Established date: 1907
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 870
Annual tuition: $31,200 – $40,400
Financial aid allotment: $4.9 million; 23% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Polytechnic School website.
Charlotte Country Day
Established date: 1907
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 870
Annual tuition: $31,200 – $40,400
Financial aid allotment: $4.9 million; 23% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Charlotte Country Day website.
Parish Episcopal
Established date: 1972
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,100
Annual tuition: $19,140 – $33,050
Financial aid allotment: $3.6 million; 97% of applicants received some level of aid
Learn more on the Parish Episcopal website.
Bishop Lynch
Established date: 1963
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 1,150
Annual tuition: $19,700
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Bishop Lynch website.
Ravenscroft School
Established date: 1862
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,205
Annual tuition: $19,740 – $27,245
Financial aid allotment: Over $3 million
Learn more on the Ravenscroft School website.
Flintridge Preparatory School
Established date: 1933
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 7-12
Total enrollment: 500
Annual tuition: $39,000 – $40,600
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Flintridge Preparatory School website.
Crystal Springs Uplands
Established date: 1952
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 6-12
Total enrollment: 572
Annual tuition: $54,445
Financial aid allotment: Over $5 million; 20% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Crystal Springs Uplands website.
Ursuline Academy
Established date: 1874
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 850
Annual tuition: $24,900
Financial aid allotment: $1.4 million; 23% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Ursuline Academy of Dallas website.
St. Agnes Academy
Established date: 1905
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 930
Annual tuition: $22,760
Financial aid allotment: $2 million; 18% of students receive aid
Learn more on the St. Agnes Academy website.
Taipei American School
Established date: 1949
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: KA-12
Total enrollment: 2,400
Annual tuition: NT$802,720 – NT$890,245 (NT$ = New Taiwan dollars)
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Taipei American School website.
Deerfield Academy
Established date: 1797
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 667
Annual tuition: $66,100 (Boarding); $47,830 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: $12.6 million; 37% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Deerfield Academy website.
Menlo School
Established date: 1915
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 6-12
Total enrollment: 795
Annual tuition: $53,430
Financial aid allotment: $7.3 million; 21% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Menlo School website.
Roxbury Latin
Established date: 1645
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 7-12
Total enrollment: 312
Annual tuition: $36,900
Financial aid allotment: 36% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Roxbury Latin School website.
Prestonwood Christian Academy
Established date: 1997
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,600
Annual tuition: $13,622 – $23,376
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Prestonwood Christian Academy website.
Coram Deo Academy
Established date: 1998
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,500
Annual tuition: $6,480 – $10,205 (Signature Program); $23,650 – $29,220 (Five Day Program)
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Coram Deo Academy website.
The John Cooper School
Established date: 1988
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,294
Annual tuition: $23,650 – $29,220
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the John Cooper School website.
Eastside Catholic
Established date: 1980
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 6-12
Total enrollment: 861
Annual tuition: $26,300
Financial aid allotment: 29% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Eastside Catholic School website.
Episcopal High School
Established date: 1839
Type of school: Boarding
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 440
Annual tuition: $64,900
Financial aid allotment: $7.8 million; 39% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Episcopal High School website.
The Hotchkiss School
Established date: 1891
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 600
Annual tuition: $64,970 (Boarding); $55,240 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: $12.9 million; 37% of students receive aid
Providence Day
Established date: 1970
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Transitional Kindergarten-12
Total enrollment: 1,624
Annual tuition: $19,900 – $28,250
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Providence Day School website.
Choate Rosemary Hall
Established date: 1890
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 850
Annual tuition: $63,960 (Boarding); $49,480 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: $14.1 million; 33% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Choate Rosemary Hall Website.
American School in London
Established date: 1951
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 1,400
Annual tuition: £28,200 – £32,650
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the American School in London website.
Ensworth
Established date: 1958
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 1,189
Annual tuition: $25,500 – $34,930
Financial aid allotment: $3.6 million
Learn more on the Ensworth School website.
Hawken
Established date: 1915
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Preschool-12
Total enrollment: 1,400
Annual tuition: $22,050 – $36,820
Financial aid allotment: $10.3 million
Learn more on the Hawken School website.
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Established date: 1970
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,895
Annual tuition: $15,300 – $24,400
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Lake Highland Preparatory School website.
Charlotte Latin
Established date: 1970
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Transitional Kindergarten-12
Total enrollment: 1,500
Annual tuition: $20,350 – $28,150
Financial aid allotment: $2 million
Learn more on the Charlotte Latin School website.
Oaks Christian
Established date: 2000
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 5-12
Total enrollment: 1,400
Annual tuition: $61,830 – $63,030 (Boarding); $36,025 – $37,725 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Oaks Christian School website.
Strake Jesuit
Established date: 1960
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 1,108
Annual tuition: $23,300
Financial aid allotment: $4.2 million; 20% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Strake Jesuit website.
Awty International School
Established date: 1956
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,717
Annual tuition: $24,690 – $31,140
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Awty International School website.
Newark Academy
Established date: 1774
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 6-12
Total enrollment: 656
Annual tuition: $47,090
Financial aid allotment: over $3 million; 16% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Newark Academy website.
The Kinkaid
School
Established date: 1906
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,466
Annual tuition: $25,160-$30,530
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Kinkaid School website.
Buckingham Browne and Nichols
Established date: 1883
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,013
Annual tuition: $36,400 – $52,300
Financial aid allotment: $8.63 million; 24% of student receive aid
Learn more on the Buckingham Browne & Nichols website.
The Hockaday School
Established date: 1913
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,115
Annual tuition: $28,950 – $34,350
Financial aid allotment: over $3 million; 14% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Hockaday School website.
The Dalton School
Established date: 1919
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 1,300
Annual tuition: $55,210
Financial aid allotment: 21% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Dalton School website.
Hong Kong International School (HKIS)
Established date: 1966
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 800
Annual tuition: HK$219,150 – HK$ 249,350 (HK$ = Hong Kong dollars)
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Honk Kong International School website.
Riverdale Country School
Established date: 1907
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: PreK-12
Total enrollment: 1,200
Annual tuition: $59,810
Financial aid allotment: $9.5 million
Learn more on the Riverdale Country School website.
The Harker School
Established date: 1893
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 2,040
Annual tuition: $41,400 – $53,800
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Harker School website.
The Overlake School
Established date: 1967
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 5-12
Total enrollment: 530
Annual tuition: $38,241
Financial aid allotment: $1.4 million; 12% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Overlake School website.
Eastside Preparatory School
Established date: 2002
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 5-12
Total enrollment: 507
Annual tuition: $39,000
Financial aid allotment: 9% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Eastside Preparatory School website.
St. John’s School
Established date: 1946
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 1,419
Annual tuition: $26,545 – $31,820
Financial aid allotment: $4.05 million; 15% of students receive aid
Learn more on the St. John’s School website.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Established date: 1906
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 1-12
Total enrollment: 903
Annual tuition: $27,881 – $34,862
Financial aid allotment: $2.5 million; 13% of students receive aid
Learn more on the St. Mark’s School of Texas website.
Milton Academy
Established date: 1798
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: K-8 (Day), 9-12 (Boarding)
Total enrollment: 1,027
Annual tuition: $64,800 (Boarding); $55,560 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: $12.5 million ; 35% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Milton Academy website.
Noble and Greenough School
Established date: 1866
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 7-12
Total enrollment: 630
Annual tuition: $61,700 (5-Day Boarding); $55,700 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: over $6.5 M
Learn more on the Noble and Greenough School website.
Greenhill School
Established date: 1950
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Pre-K-12
Total enrollment: 1,339
Annual tuition: $27,920 – $34,580
Financial aid allotment: $5.9 million; 21% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Greenhill School website.
Trinity School
Established date: 1709
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: K-12
Total enrollment: 1,000
Annual tuition: $58,505 – $59,170
Financial aid allotment: Reach out to the school for information about financial aid
Learn more on the Trinity School website.
Horace Mann School
Established date: 1887
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: Nursery-12
Total enrollment: 1,786
Annual tuition: $57,200
Financial aid allotment: $10.8 million; 14% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Horace Mann School website.
Harvard-Westlake School
Established date: 1900
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 7-12
Total enrollment: 1,620
Annual tuition: $42,600
Financial aid allotment: $13.8 million; 20% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Harvard-Westlake School website.
Lakeside School
Established date: 1919
Type of school: Day
Grade levels: 5-12
Total enrollment: 875
Annual tuition: $38,160
Financial aid allotment: 33% of students receive aid
Learn more on the Lakeside School website.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Established date: 1781
Type of school: Boarding/day
Grade levels: 9-12
Total enrollment: 1,077
Annual tuition: $58,714 (Boarding); $45,859 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: $25 million; 49% of students receive aid
Check out 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: 1,147
Annual tuition: $61,950 (Boarding); $48,020 (Day)
Financial aid allotment: $23.2 million; 47% of students receive aid
Check out our guide on How to Get Into Andover.
Methodology: Test Innovators surveyed 16,544 students who were actively using the online Test Innovators practice platform between January 1, 2021 and September 13, 2021 and asked them for the list of schools to which they planned to apply. This data set informed the list above, indicating which schools were most sought-after among students applying for the 202-23 school year.
