Private & Independent Schools on Long Island

Find a focused learning environment with smaller class sizes for kids on Long Island. Get the full list here.

Thinking about enrolling your child in a private school on Long Island? Also known as independent schools, private schools are funded by tuition and donations as opposed to being funded by taxpayer dollars. As such, private schools tend to have a little more flexibility when it comes to the curriculum (and some private schools on Long Island may not follow the Regents exam program). When applying to a private school, such as an international school, your child may need to take an entrance exam or admissions test and go through an interview process. Though tuition is a factor when attending a private school, many offer needs-based financial aid. Learn more about the private schools on Long Island—you’re sure to find the perfect independent school for your child in Syosset, Merrick, Port Washington, Hicksville, Farmingdale, Melville, Williston Park, Amityville, Uniondale, Hempstead, Stony Brook, Huntington, Westbury, Commack, Plainview, Mineola, Rockville Centre, Bethpage, Islip, Smithtown, Massapequa, Freeport, Roslyn, Hewlett, Lawrence, Dix Hills, Merrick, Jericho, Hamptons, and Port Jefferson.

Watch the Long Island School Showcase today to "tour" schools, meet directors, and find the perfect school for your child!

Check the boxes and submit the form below to connect with these businesses.

BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn
516-627-1910

Buckley Country Day School is an independent, coeducational day school providing a superior elementary education to an intellectually capable and diverse student body. Buckley provides the foundation that enables our students to achieve their full potential and excel as educated, ethical, and self-confident individuals. Our graduates are well prepared for secondary schools and beyond.

COUNTRYSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
354 Lakeville Road, lower level, Great Neck
516-466-8422
Email [email protected]

Countryside Montessori School offers children, 18 months to 6 years, a well-balanced and enriched curriculum which includes traditional subjects, art, and music. They are located on an estate-like setting with an outdoor playground and nature walks. Classrooms are fully equipped and spacious.

EAST WOODS SCHOOL
31 Yellow Cote Road, Oyster Bay
516-922-4400

East Woods School is a private school for students in pre-nursery through eighth grade. We provide a supportive learning environment that is as nurturing as it is rigorous. Our students are happy, kind, and respectful leaders and they are prepared for their next journey after East Woods.

EVERBROOK ACADEMY
209 Glen Head Road, Glen Head
866-222-0269
Everbrook Academy of Smithtown
740 Route 347, Smithtown

Everbrook Academy is a 21st century preschool, with a STEAM curriculum. We offer integrated, hands-on learning experiences. Our programs, for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-K students, ensure that children are ready for school, and ready for life. Schedule an appointment at everbrookacademy.com to meet with our principal and enroll today.

FRIENDS ACADEMY
270 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley
516-676-0393

At Friends Academy, we achieve educational excellence by committing to the highest standards of learning. Our welcoming community is strengthened by our Quaker values, empowering our students to inquire, reflect, and engage in their classrooms and the world. Our students learn and live with purpose to achieve greatness without sacrificing goodness.

GRAVITAS: A GLOBAL EXTENSION OF THE STONY BROOK SCHOOL
11 Cedar St., Stony Brook
631-675-3504
Email [email protected]

Gravitas is an online school like no other. As an extension of The Stony Brook School's boarding and day campus, Gravitas provides you access to challenging college prep academics, intentional character formation, opportunities to pursue your passions, peers from around the world, and wisdom to answer life’s most important questions.

HOLY CHILD ACADEMY
25 Store Hill Road, Old Westbury
516-626-9300
Email [email protected]

Holy Child Academy is Long Island's only premier, independent Catholic school for children of all faiths - toddler through eighth grade. Our creative educators help each child develop a joy for learning by seamlessly integrating a traditional curriculum with technology, fine arts, music, theater, and athletics.

LAWRENCE WOODMERE ACADEMY
336 Woodmere Blvd., Woodmere
516-374-9000
Email [email protected]

Lawrence Woodmere Academy “LWA” is a coeducational, non-religious, college preparatory school with a more than 100-year history of academic excellence. LWA comprises pre-school through 12th grade students. The school culture is marked by global perspective within a school community, with a mission distilled into three core values: truth, integrity, and service.

THE KNOX SCHOOL
541 Long Beach Road, Saint James
631-686-1600
Email [email protected]

The Knox School is Long Island’s oldest established private school. An inclusive environment provides students with a broad world perspective and a wide range of skills to prepare them for success after high school. A Knox education unlocks every student’s potential.

TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL
40 West Nicholai St. , Hicksville
516-931-2211 x203

We provide a caring, nurturing, and loving environment where our students can thrive and flourish academically, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe Christian based school. Ages 2 through eighth grade. All faiths welcome. STREAM, accelerated honor classes, Spanish, extended care, sports, music, clubs, and electives are offered.

THE VINCENT SMITH SCHOOL
322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington
516-365-4900

Since 1924, Vincent Smith School has been LI’s premier school for differentiated instruction in grades first-12th for students with learning difficulties. We’re known for our individualized programs for challenges like Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorders, or ADHD. Your child will find a supportive and nurturing environment at Vincent Smith. 

THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF GARDEN CITY
225 Cambridge Ave., Garden City
516-742-3434

The Waldorf School of Garden City, accredited by NYSAIS and AWSNA, educates nursery through 12th grade children to meet the world with purpose, gratitude, and respect. Our curriculum awakens students to the experience of knowledge, strengthening their sense of moral responsibility, and empowering them to act with courage and conviction.

WINSTON PREP LONG ISLAND
30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills
631-779-2400
Email [email protected]

Winston Preparatory School Long Island is a leading school for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and nonverbal learning disorders.

And you can always browse more of our education resources on Long Island, including preschools, Catholic schools, and special education schools.