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Private School Directory
Gill St. Bernard’s School
St. Bernard’s RoadGladstone, NJ 07934
(908) 234-1611 ext. 245
gsbschool.org
At A Glance:
• 700 students, 300 in the Upper School
• Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1
• Nonsectarian
• Co-ed
Random Reason:
We strive to foster academic and extracurricular excellence with every student inside and outside the classroom. In all aspects of school life we value integrity, compassion, and respect for others.
Inside Gill St. Bernard’s School:
Gill St. Bernard’s School is set on a college-style campus, with 72 acres and 16 buildings. The new Hockenbury Academic Center was completed in 2009 and adds 33,000 sq. ft. including a library, additional classrooms, a technology wing and student lounge for Upper School students. Other facilities include a gymnasium, athletic center, theater/art gallery, and a variety of administrative and classroom buildings. Academics, of course, are at the heart of any top-flight school, and Gill St. Bernard’s is no exception. Students receive intimate instruction, with class sizes averaging between fourteen and sixteen students.
Well over half of the school’s faculty members have advanced degrees, and students undergo rigorous academic training in a broad array of subjects. Beyond the basic mandatory coursework, there are Honors and Advanced Placement courses available in all major disciplines.
Gill St. Bernard's School has become well-know for its sports programs. Teams include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, fencing, golf, ice hockey, soccer, softball, track and field, swimming and tennis.
The Bottom Line:
Tuition: $14,000-27,000 (depending on grade)
Application Fee: $75
Immaculata High School
240 Mountain AvenueSomerville, NJ 08876
(908) 722-0200 x 110
At A Glance:
• 820 students
• Average class size: 25 students
• Roman Catholic
• Co-ed
Random Reason:
In the class of 2005, 100% enrolled in college., 90% in four-year colleges, 10% in two-year colleges. The GPA for the top 10% of the class is 3.827 and above.
Inside Immaculata High School:
The campus is composed of three buildings; the main building which houses the library, classrooms, guidance, cafeteria, tech center, art room, and the Little Theater. The John and Mary Obzansky building houses music, science, and athletic facilities. The Frauenheim building is home to the math department and the computer classroom.
Typical student curriculum includes four years each of religion, English, health and physical education; three years each of history, mathematics and science; and two years of a world language; as well as elective courses. All students are required to carry six major subjects. Advanced Placement Program courses are available in English Language and Composition, United States History, Spanish Language, Chemistry, Calculus, French Language, and Art History. In addition, Honors courses are offered to students in English, French, Spanish, Mathematics, Science, and History.
Immaculata is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and has been designated a Blue Ribbon School.
The Bottom Line:
Tuition: $7,100
Registration Fee: $150
Capital Reserve Fee: $250
Student Fees, Uniforms, and Books: $400
Mount Saint Mary Academy
1645 Route 22 WestWatchung, NJ 07069
(908) 757-0108
mountsaintmary.org
At A Glance:
• 360 students
• Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1
• Roman Catholic
• All Girls
Random Reason:
On deck for Mount Saint Mary is the "Field of Dreams” project, which will provide athletes with the opportunity to practice and compete on campus.
Inside Mount St. Mary Academy:
Committed to excellence, Mount Saint Mary Academy’s pillars lay in the strong Christian atmosphere established by the founding Sisters of Mary. Not only is the school steeped in tradition; its faculty and administrators are also looking to the future. Examples include the launch of its 1 to 1 Computing Initiative -- beginning with the Class of 2011, all incoming freshman students will be required to have a Tablet PC, which they purchase or lease through the school.
Furthermore, in 2001, the arrival of state-of-the-art science laboratories and science and math classrooms kicked off the school year, with a student center/cafeteria and school bookstore not far behind.
The campus boasts 200 computers, 58 wireless laptops, 25 wireless tablets, and three laser printers. New security doors, windows, and fire safety precautions have been recently installed.
The Bottom Line:
Tuition: $17,100
Purnell School
51 Pottersville RoadPottersville, NJ 07979
(908) 439-2154
At A Glance:
• 125 students
• Student/Teacher Ratio: 4:1
• Nonsectarian
• All girls
Random Reason:
Starting in 2003, the school implemented the first four year strengths-based curriculum called The Affinities Program, which won a Leading Edge Award in 2004 from the National Association of Independent Schools and was featured on the PBS Special "Go Put Your Strengths to Work" and the Today Show in 2007.
Inside Purnell School:
Purnell accepts a wide variety of learners and a strong component of the school’s philosophy is a commitment to a personalized education. The learning community is small and inclusive – the headmaster knows every single student.
As for the school’s diversity, it couldn’t be wider. International students and students with mild learning disabilities are encouraged to apply. Girls who may have struggled in the past or had difficulty maximizing their potential are urged to explore what Purnell’s close and hands-on learning environment has to offer.
The 83-acre campus is located in a rural area of the state, yet remains close to both New York City and Philadelphia. Students are taught by an extremely qualified faculty, which has the benefit of continuous professional development and training programs. These include a program where Purnell hires famous educators to come to the campus to teach the school’s teachers.
The Bottom Line:
Boarding Student (7-Day)
Tuition: $37,950
Tuition Refund Plan: $1,825
Boarding Student (5-Day)
Tuition: $36,500
Tuition Refund Plan: $1,725
Day Student
Tuition: $31,950
Tuition Refund Plan: $1,425
All students must pay a Technology Fee of $500 and new students must pay a Dorm Damage Fee of $100
Rutgers Preparatory School
1345 Easton AvenueSomerset, NJ 08873
(732) 545-5600
rutgersprep.org
At A Glance:
• Grades Pre-K through 12
• 700 students
• 91 full-time faculty members
• Nonsectarian
• Co-ed
Random Reason:
The oldest independent school in New Jersey prides itself on academic inventiveness. For example, select students in Grade 12 participate in an Interpersonal and Group Communication Theory course and hold small group discussions with students in Grade 9
Inside Rutgers Preparatory School:
Rutgers Preparatory School’s strengths are in its results – a brief look at some recent figures states that plainly. For the school year 2008-09, 85% of seniors matriculated at a college or university designated “more selective” or “most selective” by U.S. World and News Report.
A total of 11,244 hours of community service were performed by students in grades 9-12.
Beyond academic results, the school is dedicated to making those successes count toward its students’ post high school educational careers. College counseling services are provided for every student starting during junior year, and faculty evaluations and recommendations are constructed according to student goals. The school even offers extra help beyond the classroom. In the Upper School, each teacher is available once a week until 4:00 p.m. for extra help – students need only make an appointment. Additional tutoring is offered and may be implemented via the principal.
Students are encouraged to remain highly involved in campus life. Traditional annual events include the Writing Fair, Ethnic Pride Festival, winter and spring music concerts, Spring Family Picnic, Book Fair, Career Day, Foreign Language Tea, Upper School Honors Convocation, Senior Retreat, College Night, Sports Award Dinner, Creative Arts Dinner, and Commencement.
The Bottom Line:
Tuition: $12,000-24,900 (depending on grade)
The Willow School
1150 Pottersville Rd.Gladstone, NJ 07934
(908) 470-9500
willowschool.org
At A Glance:
• 103 students
• 34 faculty/staff members
• Kindergarten – eighth grade, with an affiliated Pre-kindergarten program located nearby
• Non-sectarian
• Coeducational
Random Reason:
In 2007, Willow was recognized by The National Geographic Society’s Green Guide as the second greenest school in the United States. In 2008, the school was featured on a national broadcast of The Travel Channel’s Extreme Green, which recognized Willow as the most eco-friendly school in the United States.
Inside The Willow School:
At the core of the Willow School’s curriculum is the Virtues Program, which highlights a virtue a month through literature, morning gatherings, projects, and everyday interactions.
The Willow School is committed to combining academic excellence and the joy of learning and experiencing the wonder of the natural world. The school is dedicated to maintaining small class sizes and an outstanding faculty, and fosters independent thinking, creativity, responsibility, and integrity.
The Garden-to-Table program is enjoyed by all students at each grade level. Students use math skills to plan the garden and in science they learn about the plants and growth process. In the fall, Harvest Soup Day is celebrated when the entire Willow community comes together to share the harvest.
The Willow School education enables children to develop an ethical approach to all relationships, to realize their full potential, and to believe in their power to effect positive change.
The Bottom Line:
Tuition:
Kindergarten $20,453
Grade 1-2 $21,274
Grade 3-5 $22,203
Grade 6-8 $22,822
