Best private high schools in Pennsylvania

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Pennsylvania using 2027 rankings from Niche. Online schools were not included. Niche uses 10 weighted factors for its rankings, including: college enrollment, culture and diversity, parent/student surveys, top enrolled colleges, and student-teacher ratio. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

#25. Church Farm School

- Location: Exton, PA
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 138 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#24. Lancaster Country Day School

- Location: Lancaster, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 608 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#23. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,115 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#22. Grier School

- Location: Birmingham, PA
- Grades: 5-12
- Enrollment: 230 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#21. Germantown Academy

- Location: Fort Washington, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,225 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#20. Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School

- Location: Kingston, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 727 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#19. Winchester Thurston School

- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 641 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#18. Abington Friends School

- Location: Jenkintown, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 600 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#17. Germantown Friends School

- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,125 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#16. Sewickley Academy

- Location: Sewickley, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 615 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#15. Linden Hall School for Girls

- Location: Lititz, PA
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 96 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#14. The Kiski School

- Location: Saltsburg, PA
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 185 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#13. William Penn Charter School

- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,012 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#12. Shady Side Academy

- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,270 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#11. Friends Select School

- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 665 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#10. The Shipley School

- Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 730 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#9. The Haverford School

- Location: Haverford, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 960 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#8. George School

- Location: Newtown, PA
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 500 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#7. The Agnes Irwin School

- Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 659 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#6. Friends' Central School

- Location: Wynnewood, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 874 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#5. The Episcopal Academy

- Location: Newtown Square, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,308 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#4. The Baldwin School

- Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 565 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#3. Moravian Academy

- Location: Bethlehem, PA
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 862 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#2. Mercersburg Academy

- Location: Mercersburg, PA
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 442 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+

#1. The Hill School

- Location: Pottstown, PA
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 539 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+