Where Tuition Runs High
We’ve all heard of the most expensive universities in the US, like Harvard and Yale, but what about High Schools? If your curiosity is peaked, then continue reading to uncover some of the most expensive private high schools in the U.S.
The Browning School, $42,850
The Browning School has a rough application process, with only 30% of applicants being accepted into the Upper East Side all-boys academy. Harsh. Also, the school does not admit any applicants in the 11th or 12th grades.
The Berkshire School, $42,975
This coed school, located at the foot of Mount Everett, one of the highest mountains in the state, offers access to different amenities, such as its own radio station, and boasts an endowment of $112 million. The school counts journalists Ryan Lizza and Chester Currier as alumni.
Ethical Culture Fieldston School, $43,265
This Ivy Preparatory School League member was founded by 24-year-old Felix Adler. The school is firmly part of the progressive movement, a fitting legacy to its founder. Notable alumni include former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson, author William Melvin Kelley, and Federal Reserve Board Governor Frederic Mishkin.
Middlesex School, $43,300
Middlesex School was formerly an all-boys school that went coed in 1974. The school boasts an endowment of $194 million and a mean SAT score of 2090. The school had 17 AP National Scholars and 22 AP Scholars with Honor in 2013. Notable Alumni include actor Steve Carell and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom.
Horace Mann School, $43,300
Ranked the second-best preparatory school in the country in 2010, Horace Mann School is the third most expensive private school in New York City. Notable alumni include Washington Post writer Marc Fisher, former U.S. Attorney General Willam Barr, and former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer.
Groton School, $43,390
This private Episcopal college preparatory boarding school boasts notable graduates such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, author Curtis Sittenfeld (Prep), and actor Sam Waterston. What makes this school special, you ask? Well, this school has its own traditions, such as “surprise holidays” for the students.
Collegiate School, $43,400
This Upper West Side all-boys school is the oldest in the country. The school was ranked first in the world for the number of freshman students at Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Williams, Pomona, and Swarthmore. Notable alumni include JFK Jr., The Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, Actor Cesar Romero, and Buzzfeed President Jon Steinberg.
The Peddie School, $43,500
While originally founded as an all-girls school, the school became an all-boys school between 1908 and the early 1970s. Today, Peddie has undergone a facelift and now accepts both boys and girls. With this change, the school has continued to grow more and more, which has boosted its notoriety.
Concord Academy, $43,680
Concord Academy alumni include current U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, Masters of Sex television star Caitlin FitzGerald, and former U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Peter Fisher. Impressive right? What makes this school unique is their prioritization on the arts, as each student must take an art-based course.
Kent School, $44,500
This Episcopalian school is proud of its religious tradition, and the entire student body gathers for three weekly services at its St. Joseph's Chapel. The coed school has a diverse religious student body. The school also has a robust athletic program, with over 70% of the student body participating in a sport.
Marymount School, $44,630
This New York City catholic day school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduating classes. The school takes advantage of its location, holding regular classes at the Met. Imagine walking to the famous Met building just for math class.
Newton Country Day School, $44,740
This all-girl Roman Catholic school emphasizes spiritual as well as academic excellence and offers students plenty of amenities, such as its new ice hockey rink. With a small scale of only 500 students, each student has a personalized teacher to tutor them throughout their time there. That price tag is looking a little less ridiculous now.
Lawrence Academy, $44,800
Lawrence Academy is the third oldest boarding school in the country. The school boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, with an average class size of 14. The school offers students unique programs like Costa Rican ecology excursions and even sailing lessons!
Trinity School, $44,850
Trinity School is the fifth oldest school in the country, and the oldest continuously operated school in New York City. Forbes Magazine named the school the best college prep school in the U.S. in 2010.
The Spence School, $45,150
The Spence School is an American all-girls independent school in New York City. Notable alumni include Gwyneth Paltrow, Kerry Washington, and Mary Ellis Peltz, the first chief editor of Opera News.
Avenues: The World School, $45,350
Avenues: The World School is a planned international and integrated "learning community" of for-profit private schools for pre-K-12th grades. This is the first location of about 20 planned schools around the world.
Riverdale Country School, $45,600
The Riverdale Country School's sprawling 27.5-acre campus is the largest in New York City. Notable Alumni include actor Chevy Chase, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Director Joss Whedon, and Actress Sarah Michelle Geller.
The Hotchkiss School, $45,605
Hotchkiss is part of the Eight Schools Association, the Ten Schools Admissions Organization, and the G20 Schools group. The school has one of the largest endowments of any secondary school in the country at $430 million. Alumni include Time Magazine founders Henry Luce and Briton Hadden, and Edsel Ford.
Salisbury School, $47,250
This all-boys prep school requires all seniors to take a philosophy and religion course. The average class size at the school is 11 students. The school has a nationally recognized lacrosse team and has won hockey league championships in four of the past eight seasons.
The Lawrenceville School, $47,840
Students at this prestigious school get what they pay for, with an average SAT score of 2095. Fidel Castro, Muhammad Ali, President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Billy Collins, Arianna Huffington, and Cornel West have all spoken at the school. Alumni include U.S. Senator David Baird and NBA All-Star Joakim Noah.
