Private Schools in Greater Rochester, NY
Rochesterians have dozens of options for educating their kids. This is our private / charter / alternative education highlight page.
Click here to view all upcoming open houses in our area.
View our Special Edition Rochester Private School Newsletter sent in November 2020.
If there is a private school that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly. Thank you!
The Harley School
Powerful Learning Moments. Every Day.The Harley School is a highly personalized, college preparatory program for our 529 students in Nursery-Grade 12. Our classes are student-centered and inquiry-based, an approach which can’t be replicated in large sections or within the confines of the Common Core. We feature extraordinary strengths in the arts, in STEM, in civic and global engagement, mindfulness and empathy, and education for a sustainable future. We are a diverse community that celebrates academic seriousness and intellectual playfulness, care for the world and the self, a love for learning and for life.
We are excited to invite you to our virtual “Inside Look: Information Sessions” held on Wednesdays during the school year from 12–1, highlighting a different division each time. There will be an opportunity to discuss the application process, financial aid, and answer any questions you may have. Learn more here.
Allendale Columbia School
Allendale Columbia is a leading independent, diverse, co-ed, college prep school for students in nursery through grade 12. We have the freedom to dig deeper, so students can question more, discuss, debate, and question again. As a result, our students develop critical thinking skills and become effective problem solvers. Our faculty members use their independence and experience to connect knowledge to real-life, so our students can make more sense of the world – and their place in it. It all adds up to a different school of thought: high expectations and relevant experiences that prepare students to succeed in a globally competitive society. Learn more by visiting www.allendalecolumbia.org or contacting Admissions at 585.641.5344 or admissions@allendalecolumbia.org.
Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Mercy School is the only college preparatory, faith-based private school exclusively for young women in grades 6 through 12 in the Rochester region. Mercy builds life-changing competence, confidence, and compassion that prepares and inspires young women to achieve the highest level of success in college, in career, and in the community. This is accomplished through Mercy’s strong academic and extra-curricular offerings and supportive advocacy of a caring faculty. In addition, Mercy students are instilled with a solid moral compass which prepares them to excel and lead within a global society. We are proud to offer $1.4 million in financial assistance to 40% of our student population. Mercy’s Class of 2017 merited over $20 million in college scholarships, and are attending nationally-renowned institutions including Boston College, Brown, Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Notre Dame, Yale and many other prestigious schools.
St. Lawrence School (PreK-5th Grade)
Full & Half Day PreK 3 & 4At St. Lawrence School, our PreK through 5th grade students are provided with a strong instructional program centered on spiritual growth, academic excellence, and service to others. Students at St. Lawrence are immersed in a small caring community environment, rich with student-centered technology and standards-based instruction, including art, music, physical education, and after school care programs and activities. We invite you to come and visit our website at www.stlawrenceschool.org or call us at (585) 225-3870 for more information and to schedule a tour. We look forward to welcoming you to our St. Lawrence School Community!
St. Agnes School
Looking for an exceptional Elementary School or Preschool for your child? St. Agnes School in Avon, NY educates the whole child from 3 years old to 6th grade by combining high-quality education and faith-based values while partnering with families and the community. Our small class sizes and individualized attention create a safe environment where children learn respect for others and themselves, value the importance of service, and strive for academic excellence beyond common core. For over 140 years, St. Agnes School has continued to offer education with heart and soul. Learn more by calling (585) 226 – 8500 or at www.stagnesavon.org.
St. Ambrose Academy
St. Ambrose Academy is a private, Catholic, coed, elementary school providing academic excellence for students in Preschool through grade 5. We offer Preschool programs for 3 and 4 year olds with the option of full day wraparound extended care. Our caring teachers provide experiences which enrich all aspects of a child's life: spiritual, emotional, social, physical, and intellectual. In addition to the preschool curriculum, students also receive specialized instruction in physical education and music. We invite you to contact our office to arrange for your personal tour. 585-288-0580
Archangel School
Authentically Catholic, academically challenging, ardently patrioticArchangel School is a private school with a traditional Catholic curriculum serving students from Pre-K to high school seniors. Located in the Town of Gates, Archangel School is certified by the NYS Board of Regents, but remains non-Common Core and non-CRT. We are very proud to maintain a low pupil to teacher ratio in our classrooms, ensuring individualized attention for our students. We are a family oriented school with teachers who are first and foremost concerned with the education of the whole child. Archangel School provides a curriculum that is academically challenging while instilling Christian values, infusing the truth and beauty of the Word of God into all aspects of student life.
Nazareth Elementary – Where Faith, Love and Learning Thrive!
Grade PreK3 - Grade 6In 2021, we celebrated 150 years of quality education! Combine academic excellence with our dedicated, caring teaching staff and your child’s early education journey will flourish at Nazareth Elementary. Unparalleled extracurricular activities in the arts, science and math, combined with a tremendous teaching staff, will give you the PreK experience you’ve been searching for and set your child up for a lifetime of learning.
Reach out today to join the Nazareth Family! For more information on our 5-day, Full-Time Preschool or our PreK3-Grade 6 curriculum, please call 585-458-3786 or visit us at www.nazarethschools.org.
Hope Hall School
Connecting Children. Creating Community. Changing Lives.Hope Hall School is a private, non-sectarian, not-for-profit school, founded in 1994. Our unique educational program is designed for children with special learning needs who consistently experience frustration in traditional classroom settings. We believe that when students are given respect and enough time in a supportive, multi-sensory learning environment, they can become successful lifelong learners.
Serving students in grades 3 through 12 from 18 school districts across Greater Rochester, Hope Hall’s nurturing, non-threatening, creative atmosphere helps them reverse the cycle of academic failure. At Hope Hall, we proudly boast a consistent 100% graduation rate. Our students graduate prepared for college, the workforce, post-secondary career training programs, and/or 18-21 transition programs.