Top Private High Schools in Connecticut (2024 Niche Rankings)

Connecticut boasts a concentration of elite private (independent) secondary schools. The following are consistently top-ranked by Niche, combining academics, college placement, culture, and resources. All are grades 9–12 unless noted.

1. Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford)

• Type: Coed, boarding & day.
• Founded: 1890 (Rosemary Hall 1890, Choate 1896, merged 1971).
• Hallmarks: 300+ courses, 80+ clubs, 26 sports, Signature Programs (Arabic/ME Studies, Environmental Immersion, Science Research). 100% college matriculation. Notable alumni: JFK, Adlai Stevenson, Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, Ivanka Trump.

2. The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville)

• Type: Coed, boarding (95% board).
• Founded: 1891.
• Hallmarks: 827-acre campus (golf course, farm, woods). Humanities, STEM, Global Learning. 13:1 student-faculty. Strong arts (Esther Eastman Music Center). Alumni: Henry Luce, John Hersey, Allison Janney.

3. The Taft School (Watertown)

• Type: Coed, boarding & day.
• Founded: 1890.
• Hallmarks: 226-acre campus. "Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret" (Not to be served but to serve). Global Studies, Engineering, Arts. 100% college placement. Alumni: William S. Cohen, Jonathan Franzen.

4. Westminster School (Simsbury)

• Type: Coed, boarding & day.
• Founded: 1888.
• Hallmarks: 200-acre campus. "Grit & Grace." 5:1 student-faculty. Center for Teaching & Learning. Strong hockey, crew. Alumni: George H.W. Bush (attended), Andy Rooney.

5. Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor)

• Type: Coed, boarding & day.
• Founded: 1874.
• Hallmarks: 300-acre island campus (Farmington River). Pearse Hub for Innovation (makerspace). Global & Environmental Studies. 40% students of color. Alumni: Christopher Durang, J. Presper Eckert (ENIAC co-inventor).

6. Kent School (Kent)

• Type: Coed, boarding & day.
• Founded: 1906 (Episcopal).
• Hallmarks: 1,200 acres (Appalachian Trail). "Simplicity of Life, Directness of Purpose, Self-Reliance." Pre-Engineering, Applied Learning. Strong rowing, crew. Alumni: Ted Koppel, Maury Povich.

Other Notable Schools

• Miss Porter's School (Farmington) — Girls, boarding/day. Famous alumni: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Gloria Vanderbilt, Dina Merrill.
• Ethel Walker School (Simsbury) — Girls, boarding/day. Strong STEM/equine.
• Hopkins School (New Haven) — Coed, day (3rd oldest in US, 1660). Rigorous academics.
• Greens Farms Academy (Westport) — Coed, day. Innovative, global focus.
• King School (Stamford) — Coed, day. STEM, arts, design thinking.

Note: Rankings vary by methodology (Niche, Boarding School Review, Private School Review). Visit, attend open houses, assess fit for your child.