List of 39 Best Schools in New Jersey (2026 Fees)

New Jersey, nicknamed the Garden State, remains to be one of the most industrially diversified states since the 19th century. The city is the leading industrial state, and the largest chemical producer in the U.S. New Jersey boasts of over 50 resort towns and cities, the famous ones being Atlantic City, Wild Wood, Asbury Park, Cape May, and so on. The state offers endless possibilities and the best quality of life in terms of healthcare and education, along with fantastic recreational facilities and transportation system.

With a highly diversified and multicultural population, New Jersey has some of the best schools in the U.S., including the globally acclaimed Princeton University. Schools in New Jersey provide highly praised facilities and top-notch education. New Jersey schools boast of the highest high school graduation rates in the country.

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Table of Contents

• Education in New Jersey
• How to Apply for a School in New Jersey

Education in New Jersey

New Jersey schools follow the United States’ school system. Generally, all children between the ages of 6-16 years must attend school. The school year commences in early September and ends in June. In June, July, and August, schools are closed for summer vacation.

Schools in the U.S. are divided into public and private schools. Subsequently, the public schools are divided into districts which can either include one or more cities. Each area is governed by a board, which is responsible for making decisions about the schools in that district.

There are several school levels in the US which include:

• Pre-school (ages 3 or 4): In New Jersey, there’s a Head Start program which is offered by private schools and some public school districts.
• Kindergarten (age 5): Although this level is not mandatory, it is a valuable educational experience for children. Most kindergarten classes are half-day, while some are full-day, from Monday to Friday.
• Elementary/Middle/Junior High School (Grades 1-8): From grades 1-8, children attend school for 5-7 hours from Monday to Friday. Grades 5 or 6 through 8 are referred to as middle schools or junior high schools.
• High School (Grades 9 through 12): Usually children get to high school at age 14 and finish at age 18 or 20 years.
• Before and After School Programs: These are child care programs where parents can drop their kids off before school starts or after school hours. Here, children can enroll in music, sports, homework assistance, among other activities
• Summer School: Elementary and high schools provide summer school programs for students who need additional support in school.
• After High School: Upon graduating from high school, students can continue their studies at a college or a university.

How to apply for a school in New Jersey

With over 407 New Jersey Schools, students have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to selecting the best schools. Because admission to prospective schools may be difficult, it is vital to plan in advance. Below is a list of some of the essential factors you need to consider:

• Students applying to Independent/private schools which are members of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) can use the Standard Application Online (SAO) to apply to multiple NJAIS member schools.
• It is crucial to refer to individual school websites regarding their preferred application process.
• All applicants are required to provide the following documents for enrolment purposes; proof of birth, health documents, proof of address, transcripts from the previous school (either from other U.S. schools or schools from the native country).

Below is a comprehensive list of all the schools in New Jersey. Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best schools in New Jersey with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews, and ratings.

Edarabia showcases all private schools in New jersey through which parents can filter by tuition fees, curriculum, rankings & ratings. There are many public, private and charter schools near you that cater to both expat and local students.

Depending on the level of education; kindergartens (pre-schools), primary, secondary and high schools will all have varying tuition fees. Most K-12 schools offer different curriculums and extra-curricular activities to support the intellectual and physical wellbeing of students. Admissions for the top international schools in New jersey tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Additionally, each school has ratings based on parent reviews and are ranked below accordingly.

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