List of 69 Best Schools in New York City (2026 Fees)

The global power city, New York City (NYC) is the financial, media, and cultural capital of the world. With a population of over 8 million people, New York City plays a significant role in commerce, research, education, entertainment, politics, sports, arts, fashion, and more on a global scale. The city boasts of its diverse and multicultural population, with over 800 dialects spoken, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. Brimming with majestic skyscrapers, and numerous historic landmarks, besides a plethora of opportunities and some of the world’s best restaurants, theatres, museums, parks, and cultural activities, all of which makes the city a ivery much sought after destination for people seeking a fast-paced, round-the-clock life.

Home to the most extensive public school system in the United States, with an enrolment of over 1 million pupils, NYC consists of over 1,700 primary and secondary public schools, alongside 900 private schools. New York City schools range from public to private, all with extremely top-notch facilities, high standards of teaching and conducive environments for both local and international students.

Related Articles:

Table of Contents

Education in New York City

In New York City, children between the ages of 5 and 21 years are entitled to attend a public school within their district (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx or Staten Island) for free, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. All Children, live within a district that determines the elementary, middle, and high school that he/she is eligible to attend.

In the United States, there is no nationwide curriculum or education authority. As such, rules concerning mandatory schooling age and grade division vary. Typically, compulsory education begins at 5 or 6 years of age and may end at 18 years, in most states. However, children between the ages of 3-5 can attend pre-school, followed by the elementary school which starts from kindergarten to 5th or 6th grade, followed by Middle school which begins from 6th or 7th grade to 7th or 8th grade and high school from 8th or 9th grade to 12th grade. Generally, standards are set by individual school districts based on the available funding and neighborhood. However, there are numerous private schools in New York City, some of which provide boarding facilities as well as the International Baccalaureate in place of or alongside the US high school diploma.

Which are the types of schools in New York City

Schools in New York City are varied to cater to a broad range of students seeking the best institute for their education. New York City Schools can either be private or public. Below are descriptions of the public or private schools in the region.

1. Private schools

Private schools are tuition funded and open to all children and do not have any residence-based restrictions. The application process for these schools varies, as well as fees. Admission into these schools is highly competitive and requires at least a year of advance planning. In some cases, scholarships and financial aid may be provided based on the student’s academic performance and/or family’s financial status. There are various types of private schools, which include:

Traditional private schools
These schools set their own curriculum and are independent of government policies.

Montessori schools
These schools put emphasis on experience, hands-on activities, and freedom for child development.

Parochial schools
These are church-sponsored private institutions. They are either sponsored by the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church. Parochial schools adhere to district-level education guidelines.

2. Public schools

Public New York City Schools provide free-tuition to all children eligible for school. These schools are run and funded by state and local government, with 10% funding coming from the federal government. Generally, attendance to these schools is confined within school districts. There are various public schools, which include:

Traditional public school
These are neighborhood-based schools which are open to all students for free. These schools follow the curriculum issued by the state or city government.

Charter schools
These schools are a blend of public and private standards. Similar to public schools, they are tuition-free but have limited capacity. Hence parents must apply for admission. The curriculum is varied and provides teachers and administrators with the option of tweaking the education content.

Magnet schools
These schools provide superior education and special programs for a broad community of children. The schools are an exception to traditional local schools which are limited to neighborhoods or locations.

Public online schools
Virtual schools allow students to attend classes and take part in the school syllabus electronically. These schools have the same standards for teacher licenses and qualifications as other conventional schools.

How to Apply for a School in New York City

Students have plenty of school options to choose from in New York City. As the admission process varies in New York City and may be tough due to high numbers of applications, it is essential to plan in advance. Additionally, it is imperative to visit individual school website pages for information on admissions policy, requirements, and so on. Below is a list of essential factors to consider as you search and apply for a school in New York City.

  • EarlyLearn NYC provides free or low-cost childcare and education for children between six weeks to four years. Parents can apply at any time of the year.
  • Elementary applications can be made anytime during the year, and for additional assistance, you can visit a Family Welcome Center.
  • Middle school applications should be made during the fall of your child’s fifth-grade year (or 6th grade for those in K-6 schools).
  • High school applications can be made in the fall of a child’s eighth or first time 9th-grade year or in spring for round two of applications.

For an opportunity to study in one of the best education forward regions, enroll your child in one of the New York City schools for an immersive education experience guaranteed to make them succeed.

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

Edarabia showcases all private schools in New york city 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 york city 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.

For more details, please click here

USD 11,130

USD 94,050

THINK Global School
  • Address: 1460 Broadway
  • Founded: 2010
  • Curriculum: Boarding
  • 5 Reviews
  • USD 94,050
Inquire
EF Academy
  • Address: 582 Columbus Avenue, Thornwood
  • Curriculum: IGCSE, IB, Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 48,750
Inquire
Hackley School
  • Address: 293 Benedict Avenue, Tarrytown
  • Founded: 1899
  • Curriculum: Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 45,213
Inquire
Leman Manhattan Preparatory School
  • Address: 41 Broad St
  • Founded: 1960
  • Curriculum: IB, Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 60,500
Inquire
Millbrook School
  • Address: 131 Millbrook School Road, Millbrook
  • Founded: 1934
  • Curriculum: Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 69,125
Inquire
The Knox School
  • Address: 541 Long Beach Road, St. James
  • Founded: 1904
  • Curriculum: Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 40,200
Inquire
The Masters School
  • Address: 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry
  • Founded: 1877
  • Curriculum: Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 50,500
Inquire
The Stony Brook School
  • Address: 1 Chapman Parkway, Stony Brook
  • Founded: 1922
  • Curriculum: Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 29,950
Inquire
The Storm King School
  • Address: 314 Mountain Road, Cornwall-on-Hudson
  • Founded: 1867
  • Curriculum: Boarding, American
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 35,800
Inquire
Whitestone Academy
  • Address: 15034 12th Ave, New York
  • Founded: 1981
  • Curriculum: Boarding
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 15,500
Inquire
Yeshiva University’s High School for Boys
  • Address: 2540 Amsterdam Avenue
  • Founded: 1980
  • Curriculum: Boarding
  • 2 Reviews
  • USD 23,200
Inquire
Abraham Joshua Heschel School
  • Address: 30 West End Avenue
  • Founded: 1983
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 38,450
Inquire
Allendale Columbia School
  • Address: 519 Allens Creek Road
  • Founded: 1890
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
Inquire
Avenues: The World School
  • Address: 259 Tenth Avenue
  • Founded: 2012
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
Inquire
Berkeley Carroll School
  • Address: 181 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn
  • Founded: 1883
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 44,950
Inquire
Brearley School
  • Address: 610 East 83rd Street
  • Founded: 1884
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 53,990
Inquire
Brooklyn Friends School
  • Address: 375 Pearl Street, Brooklyn
  • Founded: 1867
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 38,950
Inquire
Chaminade High School
  • Address: 340 Jackson Ave., Mineola
  • Founded: 1930
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 13,720
Inquire
Christian Brothers Academy
  • Address: 6245 Randall Road
  • Founded: 1900
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 11,323
Inquire
Collegiate School
  • Address: 301 Freedom Place South
  • Founded: 1628
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 55,900
Inquire
Convent of the Sacred Heart
  • Address: 1 East 91st Street
  • Founded: 1800
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 56,760
Inquire
Dalton School
  • Address: 108 East 89th Street
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 48,450
Inquire
Dominican Academy
  • Address: 44 East 68th Street
  • Founded: 1897
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 19,100
Inquire
Dwight School
  • Address: 291 Central Park West
  • Founded: 1872
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 44,760
Inquire
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
  • Address: 3901 Fieldston Road, Bronx
  • Founded: 1878
  • Curriculum: American
  • 1 Review
  • USD 50,590
Inquire
2026-02-19T02:23:40+04:00