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State of Private School Admissions 2027

What 2,363 accredited independent schools in the United States require for fall 2027 entry: testing, deadlines, tuition, class sizes, financial aid and teaching approach, checked on each school’s own website.

Published: October 2026 · ConnectPrep research · 2,363 schools in 8 regions

The numbers at a glance

2,363accredited independent schools checked
26%require the SSAT or ISEE for at least some grades
14median average class size
7:1median student to teacher ratio
30%median share of students on financial aid
$31,880median 2026-27 upper school day tuition

Key findings

  1. Most private schools do not require the SSAT or ISEE. Of the 1,729 schools that state a testing policy, 444 (26%) require the SSAT or ISEE for at least some grades. The most common approach is the school’s own assessment or observation visit (623 schools), followed by no entrance test at all (373).
  2. Test optional is mostly a New England story. 123 schools say the SSAT or ISEE is optional, and New England accounts for 58 of them. In the Southeast, Midwest and South Central states almost no school calls itself test optional.
  3. Testing is most common in New York, New Jersey and the South Central states. 40% of New York and New Jersey schools and 38% of South Central and Southwest schools that state a policy require the SSAT or ISEE for some grades, the highest shares in the country. Many Houston schools require the ISEE from grade 5 or 6.
  4. Classes are small, and ratios smaller. Among 500 schools that publish an average class size, the median is 14 students. Among 814 that publish a student to teacher ratio, the median is 7 to 1.
  5. Most schools offer need-based aid. 1,903 of 2,363 schools (81%) describe need-based aid on their own websites. Where schools publish it, the median share of students receiving aid is 30% (740 schools) and the median annual aid budget is $3.4 million (581 schools). 338 schools also offer merit scholarships, 32 are tuition free and 192 set tuition by family income.
  6. Tuition varies by more than $20,000 by region. The median 2026-27 upper school day tuition is $31,880 nationally across 1,521 schools that post it, from $24,950 in the lowest region to $49,800 in New York and New Jersey. The median boarding charge is $76,105 (170 schools).
  7. January 15 is still the most common deadline. Among schools posting a fall 2027 date, January 15, 2027 is the most common, and most other deadlines fall between December 1 and February 1.
  8. Half of today’s independent schools were founded after 1960. Of 1,442 schools that state a founding year, the median is 1960, and 126 were founded in 2000 or later. The oldest dates to 1628.
How independent schools test applicants for fall 2027Main entry grade policy, 1,729 schools that state a policy. 634 more do not publish one.
623 schools, 36% of schools stating a policySchool’s own assessment623 (36%)373 schools, 22% of schools stating a policyNo entrance test373 (22%)280 schools, 16% of schools stating a policySSAT or ISEE for some grades280 (16%)164 schools, 9% of schools stating a policySSAT or ISEE required (main entry grades)164 (9%)123 schools, 7% of schools stating a policyTest optional123 (7%)107 schools, 6% of schools stating a policyVaries by grade (no SSAT/ISEE)107 (6%)59 schools, 3% of schools stating a policyHSPT or TACHS59 (3%)
View as table
Category Value
School’s own assessment 623 (36%)
No entrance test 373 (22%)
SSAT or ISEE for some grades 280 (16%)
SSAT or ISEE required (main entry grades) 164 (9%)
Test optional 123 (7%)
Varies by grade (no SSAT/ISEE) 107 (6%)
HSPT or TACHS 59 (3%)
Share of schools requiring the SSAT or ISEE, by regionPercent of schools stating a policy that require it for at least some grades
68 of 171 schools stating a policyNew York and New Jersey40%47 of 124 schools stating a policySouth Central and Southwest38%10 of 36 schools stating a policyMountain West28%64 of 233 schools stating a policyNew England27%94 of 379 schools stating a policySoutheast25%68 of 286 schools stating a policyMid-Atlantic24%39 of 197 schools stating a policyMidwest20%54 of 303 schools stating a policyPacific18%
View as table
Category Value
New York and New Jersey 40%
South Central and Southwest 38%
Mountain West 28%
New England 27%
Southeast 25%
Mid-Atlantic 24%
Midwest 20%
Pacific 18%
Median 2026-27 upper school day tuition, by regionSchools posting a 2026-27 figure on their own website
Median of 127 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionNew York and New Jersey$49,800Median of 299 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionPacific$41,750Median of 220 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionNew England$41,450Median of 38 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionMountain West$32,919Median of 266 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionMid-Atlantic$32,275Median of 163 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionMidwest$26,950Median of 105 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionSouth Central and Southwest$26,795Median of 303 schools posting 2026-27 upper school day tuitionSoutheast$24,950
View as table
Category Value
New York and New Jersey $49,800
Pacific $41,750
New England $41,450
Mountain West $32,919
Mid-Atlantic $32,275
Midwest $26,950
South Central and Southwest $26,795
Southeast $24,950
Most common teaching approaches and affiliationsNumber of schools whose own website describes each (a school can have several)
249 schools describe this on their own websitesFaith: Catholic249223 schools describe this on their own websitesFaith: Christian223212 schools describe this on their own websitesExperiential and outdoor212195 schools describe this on their own websitesLearning differences195172 schools describe this on their own websitesService learning172158 schools describe this on their own websitesFaith: Episcopal158153 schools describe this on their own websitesMontessori153144 schools describe this on their own websitesGlobal or international144136 schools describe this on their own websitesProgressive136125 schools describe this on their own websitesProject-based learning125115 schools describe this on their own websitesInternational Baccalaureate115111 schools describe this on their own websitesFaith: Jewish11175 schools describe this on their own websitesPostgraduate year7565 schools describe this on their own websitesBilingual or immersion65
View as table
Category Value
Faith: Catholic 249
Faith: Christian 223
Experiential and outdoor 212
Learning differences 195
Service learning 172
Faith: Episcopal 158
Montessori 153
Global or international 144
Progressive 136
Project-based learning 125
International Baccalaureate 115
Faith: Jewish 111
Postgraduate year 75
Bilingual or immersion 65
When independent schools were founded1,442 schools that state a founding year
36 schools founded before 1800Before 18003655 schools founded 1800 to 18491800 to 184955187 schools founded 1850 to 18991850 to 1899187318 schools founded 1900 to 19491900 to 1949318412 schools founded 1950 to 19741950 to 1974412308 schools founded 1975 to 19991975 to 1999308126 schools founded 2000 and later2000 and later126
View as table
Category Value
Before 1800 36
1800 to 1849 55
1850 to 1899 187
1900 to 1949 318
1950 to 1974 412
1975 to 1999 308
2000 and later 126

Schools with the smallest classes

98 of the 500 schools that publish an average class size report fewer than 12 students per class. 34 of them specialize in learning differences, where very small groups are part of the model, and several are one-to-one schools that teach each student individually. Select a school for its full profile.

All 98 schools with average classes under 12
School Location Avg class Ratio Approach
Dartmoor School Bellevue, WA 1
Fusion Academy Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY 1 1:1 Learning differences
Fusion Academy Lake Forest Lake Forest, IL 1 1:1 Learning differences
Fusion Academy Lincoln Park Chicago, IL 1 1:1 Learning differences
Fusion Academy Oak Brook Oak Brook, IL 1 1:1 Learning differences
The Oxford Academy Westbrook, CT 1 Postgraduate year, Global or international
The Greenwood School Putney, VT 4 2:1 Experiential and outdoor, Learning differences
Villa Maria School Stamford, CT 4 Learning differences
The Oliverian School Haverhill, NH 4 to 7 Experiential and outdoor, Learning differences
Maplebrook School Amenia, NY 4 to 8 5:1 Learning differences
Open Wings Learning Community Kenosha, WI 6 Progressive, Learning differences
Temple Grandin School Boulder, CO 4 to 8 4:1 to 8:1 Learning differences
The Vanguard School Lake Wales, FL 4 to 8 8:1 Learning differences
The Janus School Mount Joy, PA 6.2 4:1 Learning differences
Bozeman Field School Bozeman, MT 6 to 8 Experiential and outdoor, Service learning
Carrabassett Valley Academy Carrabassett Valley, ME 7 Athletics focus, Postgraduate year
Hill Top Preparatory School Bryn Mawr, PA 6 to 8 Learning differences
Landmark School Prides Crossing, MA 6 to 8 Learning differences
Olney Friends School Barnesville, OH 7 3:1 Progressive, Project-based learning
Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning Calabasas, CA 7 7:1
Sandhills School Columbia, SC 7 3:1 Learning differences
Talcott Mountain Academy Avon, CT 7 4:1 Gifted and talented, STEM focus
The John Crosland School Charlotte, NC 7 Learning differences
The Phelps School Malvern, PA 7 Postgraduate year, Service learning
Thornton-Donovan School New Rochelle, NY 7 Global or international
Acera School Winchester, MA 8 Project-based learning, Gifted and talented
Brehm Preparatory School Carbondale, IL 8 5:1 Learning differences
Centreville Layton School Centreville, DE 8 5:1 Learning differences
Iowa Conservatory Iowa City, IA 8 Arts focus, Postgraduate year
Kentucky Avenue School Pittsburgh, PA 6 to 10 Progressive
Louisville Classical Academy Louisville, KY 8 Classical
Southwestern Academy San Marino, CA 8 6:1 Postgraduate year, Global or international
The Academy at Charlemont Charlemont, MA 8 5:1
The Hillside School Macungie, PA 6 to 10 Learning differences
The Storm King School Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 8 5:1 Postgraduate year, Global or international
Winston Preparatory School New York, NY 8 Learning differences
Winston Preparatory School Long Island Dix Hills, NY 8 Learning differences
Parkmont School Washington, DC 6 to 11 5:1 Experiential and outdoor
The Odyssey School Lutherville, MD 8 to 9 3:1 Learning differences
The Parkside School New York, NY 8 to 9 4:1 Learning differences
Commonwealth School Boston, MA 9 4:1
Midwest Academy Carmel, IN 9 Progressive, Project-based learning
Oak Hill Academy Mouth of Wilson, VA 9 Athletics focus, Faith: Christian
Scattergood Friends School West Branch, IA 9 Progressive, Project-based learning
The College School Newark, DE 8 to 10 5:1 Learning differences
The Grier School Birmingham, PA 9 Arts focus
Atlanta Speech School Atlanta, GA 8 to 11 Learning differences
The Gateway School New York, NY 8 to 11 6:1 to 10:1 Learning differences
All Saints’ Episcopal School Morristown, TN 10 7:1 Faith: Episcopal
Carroll School Lincoln, MA 10 Learning differences
Chartwell School Seaside, CA 10 or fewer 4:1 Learning differences
Cheshire Academy Cheshire, CT 10 7:1 International Baccalaureate, Postgraduate year
Christ Episcopal School Rockville, MD 10 10:1 Faith: Episcopal
Christina Seix Academy Trenton, NJ 10 5:1
Eaglebrook School Deerfield, MA 10 3.5:1
Eton Academy Birmingham, MI 10 or fewer 10:1 Learning differences
Foxcroft School Middleburg, VA 10 6:1 Global or international
Kents Hill School Kents Hill, ME 10 Postgraduate year
Keystone Prep High School Odessa, FL 10 Project-based learning, Learning differences
Kimball Union Academy Meriden, NH 10 6:1 Postgraduate year
Maharishi School Fairfield, IA 10
New England Jewish Academy West Hartford, CT 10 3:1 Faith: Jewish
New Hampton School New Hampton, NH 10 5:1 International Baccalaureate, Postgraduate year
Shattuck-St. Mary’s School Faribault, MN 10 7:1 Athletics focus, Postgraduate year
St. Andrew’s School Middletown, DE 10 Faith: Episcopal
Stoneleigh-Burnham School Greenfield, MA 10 6:1 International Baccalaureate, Postgraduate year
Stratton Mountain School Stratton Mountain, VT 10 Athletics focus, Postgraduate year
Sullins Academy Bristol, VA 10 10:1 Service learning
The Harvey School Katonah, NY 10 6:1
The Hill School Pottstown, PA 10 7:1 Postgraduate year
The Linsly School Wheeling, WV 10 7:1
Vermont Academy Saxtons River, VT 10 9:1 Experiential and outdoor, Postgraduate year
West Nottingham Academy Colora, MD 10 5:1 Learning differences, Global or international
Wolcott College Prep Chicago, IL 10 5:1 in Learning Strategies Learning differences
Blue Ridge School St. George, VA 11 Project-based learning, Experiential and outdoor
Brooks School North Andover, MA 11 5:1
Chatham Day School Chatham, NJ 11
Crossroads College Preparatory School St. Louis, MO 11 6:1
Episcopal High School Alexandria, VA 11 Faith: Episcopal
Falmouth Academy Falmouth, MA 11 5:1
Fisher Island Day School Miami Beach, FL 11 6:1
Golda Och Academy West Orange, NJ 11 7:1 Service learning, Faith: Jewish
Gould Academy Bethel, ME 11 6:1 Experiential and outdoor, Postgraduate year
Groton School Groton, MA 11 4:1
Hilton Head Preparatory School Hilton Head Island, SC 11 12:1 Montessori, Global or international
Lawrence School Broadview Heights, OH 11 6:1 Learning differences
Manlius Pebble Hill School DeWitt, NY 11
Millbrook School Millbrook, NY 11 4:1 Postgraduate year, Service learning
Saint James School Hagerstown, MD 11 6:1 Faith: Episcopal
St. Mark’s School Southborough, MA 11 6:1 Global or international, Faith: Episcopal
Tallulah Falls School Tallulah Falls, GA 11 9:1
The Clariden School Southlake, TX 11 International Baccalaureate, Project-based learning
The Governor’s Academy Byfield, MA 11 Experiential and outdoor
The Loomis Chaffee School Windsor, CT 11 4:1 Postgraduate year
The Rivers School Weston, MA 11 6:1
The Taft School Watertown, CT 11 Postgraduate year
Watkinson School Hartford, CT 11 6:1 Progressive, Postgraduate year
York Preparatory School New York, NY 11

Explore the data

Every school behind these numbers is listed, with sources, in our regional tables and topic lists.

All regionsNew EnglandNew York and New JerseyMid-AtlanticPacificSoutheastMidwestSouth Central and SouthwestMountain West
Montessori schoolsWaldorf schoolsSchools for learning differencesIB schoolsQuaker schoolsPostgraduate year programsTest optional schoolsTuition free and income-based tuition
Cite this report: ConnectPrep, “State of Private School Admissions 2027,” October 2026, https://www.connectprep.com/private-school-admissions-requirements/state-of-private-school-admissions-2027/. Journalists, schools and researchers may quote these figures with attribution and a link.

Quick answers

What percentage of private schools require the SSAT or ISEE?

In ConnectPrep’s October 2026 review of 2,363 accredited independent schools, 26% of the 1,729 schools that state a testing policy require the SSAT or ISEE for at least some grades. 7% are test optional and 22% use no entrance test.

What is the average class size at a private school?

The median published average class size is 14 students across 500 independent schools, and the median student to teacher ratio is 7 to 1 across 814 schools.

How many private school students receive financial aid?

Among 740 schools that publish the figure, the median share of students receiving financial aid is 30%. 1,903 of 2,363 schools describe need-based aid on their websites.

How much does private school cost in 2026-27?

The median published 2026-27 upper school day tuition is $31,880 across 1,521 independent schools, and the median boarding charge is $76,105. New York and New Jersey has the highest regional median.

How should I cite this report?

ConnectPrep, “State of Private School Admissions 2027,” October 2026, connectprep.com/private-school-admissions-requirements/state-of-private-school-admissions-2027/. Data may be quoted with attribution and a link.

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Methodology & sources

ConnectPrep built a roster of accredited independent K to 12 schools from the member directories of NAIS, TABS and the regional independent school associations. In September 2026 we read each school’s own admissions and tuition pages for its testing policy, fall 2027 deadline, grades and tuition. In October 2026 a second pass read each school’s about, academics and affordability pages for mission, teaching approach, class size, ratio, enrollment, founding year and financial aid. We did not use ranking or directory sites. Medians are computed only from schools that publish each figure, and the number of schools behind every statistic is shown. Closed schools, schools without a reachable official site and schools whose sites could not be confirmed as current are excluded. Figures reflect what schools published at the time of review.

Have a correction? Email info@connectprep.com.

ConnectPrep

This is a ConnectPrep page. It is researched and published by ConnectPrep, an independent tutoring, test prep and admissions advising company based in Westport, Connecticut. ConnectPrep is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the schools listed, NAIS, TABS or the regional associations, The Enrollment Management Association (SSAT) or ERB (ISEE). Information is checked against official sources as of the date shown, but policies change, so always confirm details directly before you apply or register.