Top 10 Catholic Schools in New York in 2027

1. Regis High School

Regis ranks first because it is the only Catholic high school in New York City that charges zero tuition, funding every seat through an endowment tied to its 1914 founding. Admission runs through a competitive entrance exam and interview for eighth-grade boys citywide. The Jesuit, all-boys school on East 84th Street in Manhattan sends the large majority of its small student body to selective four-year colleges.

It's built for academically strong boys willing to commit to a demanding, all-scholarship track with no financial cushion if grades slip. Families who need coeducation or a less exam-driven admissions path should look elsewhere. Compared with Xavier High School just below it, Regis trades size and campus amenities for exclusivity and a fully free education, admitting a far smaller class each year.

2. Xavier High School

Xavier ranks second on the strength of its 1847 Jesuit founding, its Chelsea, Manhattan campus, and a Junior ROTC program unique among the city's Catholic schools, requiring uniformed drill periods for underclassmen. The all-boys school enrolls over a thousand students, giving it far more course and club variety than Regis.

Xavier suits families who want Jesuit rigor and structure but can pay tuition and don't need Regis's scholarship exclusivity. The JROTC requirement is a real trade-off, demanding uniforms, drill, and summer commitments not every student wants. Set against Fordham Prep below it, Xavier offers a Manhattan location and military discipline in place of Fordham's Bronx, university-campus setting.

3. Fordham Preparatory School

Fordham Prep ranks third because of its direct physical and academic tie to Fordham University, sharing the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx since the school's founding in 1841. The all-boys Jesuit school gives students access to university facilities and a college-campus environment rare among high schools. Its long Jesuit pedigree puts it a tier below Regis and Xavier mainly on selectivity and location, not on the strength of its academic program.

It's the pick for boys who want a Jesuit education with a literal college-campus feel and early exposure to Fordham University. It doesn't offer Regis's free tuition or Xavier's JROTC, so choosing it means prioritizing setting and university proximity over those specific features. Below it, Chaminade shifts the same Catholic-brotherhood model out to Long Island's suburbs.

4. Chaminade High School

Chaminade ranks fourth as the strongest Catholic option on Long Island, run by the Marianist order since 1930 in Mineola, New York. The all-boys school pairs a demanding college-prep curriculum with athletic programs that regularly compete for Nassau County titles. Its suburban Mineola campus gives it more outdoor and athletic facility space than the Manhattan and Bronx schools ranked above it, at the cost of being harder to reach without a car.

Chaminade fits Nassau and Suffolk County families who want Manhattan-caliber Catholic academics without a commute into the city. It's less practical for city-dwelling families, since the campus assumes suburban transportation. Compared with Fordham Prep above it, Chaminade trades university-campus proximity for suburban space and a stronger athletics infrastructure.

5. St. Francis Preparatory School

St. Francis Prep ranks fifth as one of the largest Catholic high schools in New York City, a coeducational Franciscan school in Fresh Meadows, Queens. That scale gives it one of the widest course and extracurricular catalogs of any school on this list, spanning dozens of clubs and sports teams. Dating to the 19th century, it's also one of the few top-tier options that's coeducational rather than single-sex.

It's the right fit for Queens families wanting a big, coeducational Catholic school with broad program choice rather than the small, single-sex intimacy of Regis or Xavier. Its size means less individual attention than smaller schools offer. Compared with Chaminade above it, St. Francis Prep swaps suburban single-sex focus for urban scale and coeducation.

6. Iona Preparatory School

Iona Prep ranks sixth as a Christian Brothers school in New Rochelle serving Westchester County, founded in 1940. The all-boys school has built a reputation for strong college placement and a competitive athletics program within Westchester's Catholic school leagues. Its location makes it the default top Catholic pick for families north of the city who don't want a Bronx or Manhattan commute every day.

It suits Westchester families first; the commute makes it a harder sell for city or Long Island households already served by Xavier, Fordham Prep, or Chaminade. It doesn't have Fordham Prep's university-campus tie or Regis's tuition-free model. Below it, Kellenberg Memorial offers a similar Brothers-run model but at far larger scale on Long Island.

7. Kellenberg Memorial High School

Kellenberg ranks seventh as one of the largest Catholic high schools in the country, a Marianist, co-institutional school in Uniondale that educates boys and girls in separate divisions on one shared campus. Founded in 1962, its scale rivals St. Francis Prep's, giving it deep course and sports offerings on Long Island. The co-institutional model, same campus with separated classes, is a structural difference from every other school on this list.

It's built for Long Island families who want St. Francis Prep-level scale and program depth without going into Queens. The separated-by-gender structure is a real trade-off for families who specifically want either single-sex Chaminade or fully coeducational St. Francis Prep. It ranks below Iona Prep here mainly on Nassau-versus-Westchester geography rather than program quality.

8. Xaverian High School

Xaverian ranks eighth as Brooklyn's Xaverian Brothers-run, all-boys school in Bay Ridge, founded in 1957. It gives Brooklyn families a brother-run academic model without crossing into Manhattan or Queens, backed by a strong local athletics tradition in Brooklyn's Catholic school leagues. Its Bay Ridge campus and borough-specific draw make it Brooklyn's answer to Fordham Prep's Bronx or Chaminade's Nassau County positioning.

It's the practical choice for Bay Ridge and southern Brooklyn boys who want a brother-run Catholic education close to home. It lacks Xavier's JROTC and Regis's free tuition, positioning it as a solid but not top-tier pick regionally. Compared with Molloy below it, Xaverian keeps a single-sex model where Molloy has gone coeducational.

9. Molloy High School

Molloy ranks ninth as a Marist-run, coeducational school in Briarwood, Queens, known for a basketball program that has produced Division I and professional players. Its coeducational model, in place since the late 1980s, sets it apart from the all-boys schools ranked above it. Serving central Queens, it gives families a mid-size, values-driven alternative to the much larger St. Francis Prep a few miles away.

It's suited to Queens families who want coeducation and strong athletics without St. Francis Prep's sheer size. Boys-only households seeking Xavier- or Fordham Prep-style tradition should look above it on this list. Against Bishop Loughlin below it, Molloy offers a more spacious Queens campus versus Loughlin's dense Brooklyn setting.

10. Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School

Bishop Loughlin ranks tenth as a Diocese of Brooklyn, coeducational school in Fort Greene, serving Brooklyn students on a compact urban campus. It's smaller and less resourced than St. Francis Prep or Xaverian, but it fills a role as an accessible, diocesan-run option in central Brooklyn without the Brothers or Jesuit affiliations of the schools above it. Its Fort Greene setting keeps it within reach of subway lines across the borough.

It's the choice for Brooklyn families prioritizing an affordable, diocesan Catholic education over order affiliation or athletic scale. It won't match Xaverian's Bay Ridge campus resources or Molloy's Queens athletics pipeline. As the tenth pick here, it rounds out the list as the most accessible entry point into New York's Catholic high school system.

How we ranked these

The ranking weighs four inputs: verified academic outcomes (Regents pass rates, AP course breadth, and four-year college acceptance data), religious-formation depth (daily or weekly Mass, campus ministry, service-hour requirements), affordability (published tuition against average diocesan financial-aid awards), and operational stability (accreditation status through Middle States or the diocese, enrollment trend over the past five years, and parish or diocesan subsidy commitments that keep a school open long-term).

Deliberately excluded: single-year standardized-test spikes, celebrity or political alumni, social-media follower counts, and self-reported "average class size" figures schools rarely audit. Sports-championship banners were ignored unless tied to a documented athletics budget, since a strong team can mask a thin academic core. Marketing spend and open-house polish were also excluded — glossy tours correlate with admissions budgets, not with what a student actually experiences after enrollment.

What to look for

What actually matters is fit, not prestige: how the school's religious-formation intensity (daily Mass vs. monthly) matches your family's practice level, whether its AP/honors slate matches your child's academic trajectory, and the realistic all-in cost — tuition plus fees, uniforms, technology charges, and the informal fundraising ask most schools make every fall — not just the advertised sticker tuition figure.

The most common buyer mistake is anchoring on a school's historic brand name from decades ago without checking its current enrollment trend, current faculty turnover, and whether its diocese has flagged it for a merger or closure review. New York dioceses have consolidated dozens of parish schools since 2015; verify a school's operating status directly with the diocesan schools office before signing an enrollment contract or paying a deposit.

Related questions

How much does Catholic school tuition cost in New York in 2027?

Tuition for Archdiocese of New York elementary schools typically runs $6,000-$9,000 a year, while Catholic high schools in the five boroughs and Westchester range from $12,000 to over $20,000 annually. Diocesan and parish-based financial aid, plus scholarship programs, can offset a meaningful share for families who apply early in the admissions cycle.

Do Catholic schools in New York accept non-Catholic students?

Yes — most Catholic schools in New York enroll students of any faith and typically don't require baptism for admission, though many mandate a religion class and periodic Mass attendance as part of the curriculum. Interfaith and non-religious families often choose these schools for academic rigor, discipline, and smaller class sizes rather than for doctrinal reasons.

What's the difference between a diocesan Catholic school and an independent Catholic school?

Diocesan schools are owned and subsidized by the local diocese (Archdiocese of New York, Diocese of Brooklyn, or Diocese of Rockville Centre), which sets curriculum and tuition policy centrally. Independent Catholic schools, often run by religious orders like the Jesuits or Ursulines, set their own admissions, tuition, and governance, and generally charge more.

Are Catholic high schools in New York better than public schools for college admissions?

It depends on the specific school pairing, not the sector broadly — top Catholic high schools like Regis or Xavier post Ivy-level placement rates, but a struggling parish high school can trail a strong public magnet like Stuyvesant or Bronx Science. Compare a specific school's college matriculation list directly rather than assuming sector predicts outcomes.

How do I apply for financial aid at a Catholic school in New York?

Most dioceses use a third-party platform such as FACTS Grant & Aid or TADS to process financial-aid applications, requiring prior-year tax returns and a small processing fee. Apply as early as possible — aid pools are limited and awarded on a rolling basis, so families who submit in fall receive meaningfully larger awards than late applicants.

Which Catholic schools in New York have the strongest STEM programs?

Regis High School, Xavier High School, and Fontbonne Hall Academy consistently rank among the strongest for STEM, with dedicated robotics teams, AP Computer Science and AP Physics offerings, and partnerships with local universities for dual-enrollment credit. Suburban options like Iona Preparatory and Kellenberg Memorial also invest heavily in engineering electives.

Do Catholic schools in New York require uniforms?

Nearly all Catholic elementary and high schools in New York require uniforms, typically sourced through a designated vendor like Flynn & O'Hara or Educational Outfitters. Budget $300-$600 per student per year including gym uniforms, and check whether the school allows a used-uniform exchange, since this cost is rarely included in published tuition figures.

How competitive is admission to New York's top Catholic high schools?

Admission to elite Catholic high schools like Regis (which is tuition-free but requires an entrance exam and interview) is highly competitive, admitting roughly one in ten applicants. Mid-tier diocesan high schools are considerably less selective, often admitting most applicants who meet minimum TACHS entrance-exam scores and pay the deposit on time.

FAQ

What is the oldest Catholic school in New York?

The oldest continuously operating Catholic school in New York is generally credited to institutions founded by the Archdiocese in the early-to-mid 1800s, such as schools tied to Old St. Patrick's Cathedral on Mulberry Street, established in 1809. Many of today's parish elementary schools trace their lineage to immigrant-community parishes founded between 1840 and 1900.

Is Regis High School really tuition-free?

Yes — Regis High School in Manhattan, run by the Jesuits, charges no tuition to any admitted student regardless of family income, funded entirely through endowment and alumni donations. Admission is instead gated by a rigorous entrance exam, academic record review, and interview, making it one of the most selective all-scholarship Catholic schools in the country.

Do Catholic schools in New York use the TACHS or COOP entrance exam?

Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York and Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens use the TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools), administered each fall for the following school year's incoming freshman class. A few independent Catholic and Jesuit schools, including Regis, administer their own separate entrance exams instead of relying on TACHS scores.

How many Catholic schools are there in New York?

The Archdiocese of New York alone operates roughly 200 elementary and high schools across Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and seven counties north of the city, and the Diocese of Brooklyn and Diocese of Rockville Centre operate dozens more — though enrollment consolidation has closed or merged several dozen schools since 2010.

Can I transfer my child mid-year to a Catholic school in New York?

Mid-year transfers are possible and Catholic schools are generally more flexible than public districts about timing, but availability depends entirely on open seats in the specific grade, and most schools still require the standard application, prior transcripts, and an interview. Contact the school's admissions office directly rather than waiting for fall.

What's the average class size at Catholic schools in New York?

Most Catholic elementary schools in New York keep class sizes between 20 and 28 students, larger than elite private independent schools but generally smaller than New York City public school averages, which often exceed 25-30 in core subjects. High school class sizes vary more widely by school size and course popularity.

Do Catholic schools in New York offer bus transportation?

New York State law requires public school districts to provide busing to nonpublic school students, including Catholic school students, living within the district's established mileage limits — typically up to 15 miles for high schoolers. Coverage varies by district, so confirm eligibility with your local public school district's transportation office, not the Catholic school itself.

Are Catholic schools in New York accredited?

Yes — most are accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools or the New York State Board of Regents, in addition to diocesan oversight from the local Superintendent of Catholic Schools office. Accreditation status is generally listed on the school's own website; ask directly if it isn't, since a lapse can affect credit transfer.

What is a "feeder" Catholic elementary school for top NY Catholic high schools?

A feeder school is a parish elementary school with a strong track record of placing graduates into selective Catholic or Jesuit high schools like Regis or Xavier, often because its 7th- and 8th-grade curriculum aligns closely with TACHS exam content. Ask a target high school's admissions office which elementary schools its recent admits attended.

Sources

• https://www.archny.org/offices/superintendent-of-schools/
• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/s/new-york/
• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-york
• https://www.privateschoolreview.com/new-york/catholic-schools
• https://www.greatschools.org/new-york/
• https://www.ncea.org/
• https://www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/schools/
• https://www.drvc.org/offices-ministries/catholic-schools/

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