Top 10 Catholic Schools in New Jersey in 2027

1. Delbarton School

Delbarton ranks first because it pairs elite college placement with a monastic academic model rarely found outside New England: the school sits on a 400-acre former Kountze estate in Morristown and has been run since 1939 by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary's Abbey. Grades 7-12 are all-boys, small-section classes are taught by monk-faculty alongside lay teachers, and the campus includes its own lake and athletic complex.

It suits families who want a single-sex, faith-formation-heavy prep environment and are prepared to commute into Morris County and pay full private-school tuition. It trades away the social mix of a coed campus and a public feeder pipeline for tighter discipline and smaller classes. Compared to Seton Hall Prep below, Delbarton is smaller, more selective, and monk-run rather than diocesan-run.

2. Seton Hall Preparatory School

Seton Hall Prep earns second place as the oldest Catholic diocesan high school in New Jersey, founded in 1856 and run today by the Archdiocese of Newark on its West Orange campus. It is all-boys, grades 9-12, with a historic pipeline into Seton Hall University next door and a long list of alumni in law, medicine, and politics tracing back over a century and a half.

It fits families who want Delbarton-level tradition without the monastic residential feel, in a larger, more athletics-driven diocesan setting. It trades Delbarton's small monk-led classrooms for a bigger student body and archdiocesan governance. Compared to St. Peter's Prep below, Seton Hall Prep is Newark-archdiocese run rather than Jesuit, with a heavier football and wrestling tradition.

3. St. Peter's Preparatory School

St. Peter's Prep ranks third as New Jersey's Jesuit flagship, founded in 1872 in Jersey City and still operated under the Society of Jesus rather than a diocese. The all-boys, grades 9-12 school built its reputation on Jesuit rigor and service requirements, and its Jersey City location gives it a direct urban-commuter draw from Hudson County and Manhattan-adjacent towns via light rail and PATH.

It suits families specifically seeking Jesuit pedagogy over Benedictine or diocesan models, with an emphasis on structured service hours and classical-humanities coursework. It trades the suburban campus space of Delbarton and Seton Hall Prep for a compact urban footprint. Compared to Don Bosco Prep below, St. Peter's is Jesuit-run rather than Salesian, with an older founding date.

4. Don Bosco Preparatory High School

Don Bosco Prep ranks fourth on the strength of its Salesian order identity, founded in 1915 in Ramsey and run by the Salesians of Don Bosco, whose charism centers on youth mentorship alongside academics. The all-boys, grades 9-12 campus in northern Bergen County has built a national athletic reputation, particularly in football and wrestling, feeding into a broad in-state and out-of-state boarding-adjacent draw.

It fits families prioritizing a Salesian mentorship model and strong athletics over the Ivy-heavy alumni networks of Delbarton or Seton Hall Prep. It trades some of that older-money prestige for a younger, sports-forward identity. Compared to Immaculate Heart Academy below, it remains single-sex boys rather than girls, with a Bergen County location just a few towns apart.

5. Immaculate Heart Academy

Immaculate Heart Academy takes fifth as the state's most recognized all-girls Catholic college-prep option, founded in 1962 in Washington Township, Bergen County. It is not run by a single religious order but by a lay board under the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary's founding mission, and it has built a strong record in STEM and humanities Advanced Placement offerings for a single-sex school.

It suits families wanting the girls'-school counterpart to Don Bosco Prep or Seton Hall Prep's boys' tradition, in the same northern Bergen County commuter radius. It trades a religious-order-run faculty model for lay administration with a Catholic mission statement. Compared to Mount St. Mary Academy below, it is newer, founded a half-century later, and Bergen County rather than Union County based.

6. Christian Brothers Academy

Christian Brothers Academy ranks sixth for combining Congregation of Christian Brothers heritage with a Monmouth County footprint, founded in 1959 and based in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township. The all-boys, grades 9-12 school built its identity on the Edmund Rice educational tradition shared with CBA schools nationally, with a long-running football and lacrosse program feeding regional college recruitment.

It fits families in the Jersey Shore corridor who want Don Bosco Prep-style Catholic brotherhood tradition without the drive to Bergen County. It trades some of the older Essex/Hudson County prestige networks for a strong Monmouth County alumni base instead. Compared to Red Bank Catholic below, CBA is single-sex boys and Brothers-run rather than coed and diocesan.

7. Mount St. Mary Academy

Mount St. Mary Academy ranks seventh as one of New Jersey's older Sisters of Mercy schools, founded in 1908 in Watchung, Union County, and still operated as an all-girls college-prep. Its Mercy-order identity emphasizes service learning alongside a traditional liberal-arts curriculum, and its Watchung campus draws from Union, Somerset, and Middlesex county families seeking a girls'-only alternative to coed diocesan high schools.

It suits families wanting an older, order-run girls' school with a century-plus history rather than Immaculate Heart Academy's newer lay-run model. It trades IHA's Bergen County STEM reputation for a more traditional Mercy-charism service focus. Compared to Notre Dame High School below, it remains single-sex rather than coed, with an older 1908 founding date.

8. Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame High School ranks eighth as a coeducational Diocese of Trenton school founded in 1965 in Lawrenceville, Mercer County, giving it a central-New Jersey draw distinct from the Bergen and Essex County schools ranked above it. Its coed, grades 9-12 model and diocesan governance make it a mid-state option for families who want Catholic identity without single-sex campus life.

It fits families in the Mercer/Hunterdon corridor who prioritize a coed environment and are not seeking the single-sex, order-run prestige of Delbarton or Mount St. Mary. It trades some name-recognition depth for practical geographic convenience. Compared to Paul VI High School below, it sits under the Trenton diocese rather than Camden, with roughly the same 1960s founding era.

9. Paul VI High School

Paul VI High School ranks ninth as a Diocese of Camden coeducational school founded in 1961 in Haddonfield, serving South Jersey families outside the northern and central corridors covered by the schools above it. Its coed, grades 9-12 structure and Camden-diocese governance give it a distinct athletic conference footprint, with a well-known football and basketball program in the South Jersey Catholic circuit.

It suits South Jersey families who want Notre Dame High School's coed diocesan model but closer to Camden and Philadelphia-suburb commuting patterns. It trades the central-Jersey geography of Notre Dame for a Delaware Valley orientation instead. Compared to Red Bank Catholic below, it is Camden-diocese run rather than Trenton-diocese run, with a similar 1960s founding.

10. Red Bank Catholic High School

Red Bank Catholic rounds out the list as the Diocese of Trenton's coeducational option on the Jersey Shore, founded in 1938 in Red Bank, Monmouth County. Its coed, grades 9-12 model shares a county with Christian Brothers Academy but under diocesan rather than Brothers governance, and it has built a long-running local reputation in wrestling and baseball within the Shore Conference.

It fits Monmouth County families who want a coed, diocesan-run alternative to the single-sex CBA down the road, at a generally lower tuition tier than the order-run schools ranked above it. It trades some name-recognition and alumni-network depth for local affordability and geographic convenience along the Shore corridor.

How we ranked these

Rankings weighted Cognia and Middle States accreditation status, four-year college matriculation and average SAT/ACT scores reported by each school, tuition-to-outcome value, availability of AP/honors and dual-enrollment coursework, campus size and facilities investment, and longevity/reputation within their Archdiocese or Diocese (Newark, Metuchen, Trenton, Camden, Paterson).

Enrollment stability over the last five years and religious-education program depth were also factored, since Catholic identity retention varies widely between schools that are merely Catholic-affiliated versus fully diocesan-run.

We deliberately ignored sports championship counts, since athletic prestige correlates poorly with academic or spiritual formation outcomes and skews rankings toward a handful of football/basketball powerhouses. We also excluded raw tuition price as a negative factor — some of the strongest academic programs in the state charge premium tuition, and cheaper is not inherently better. Anecdotal parent reviews were weighted lightly since they're unverifiable and prone to selection bias from vocal minorities.

Related questions

What is the difference between a diocesan and an independent Catholic school in New Jersey?

Diocesan schools are owned and financially backed by the local Diocese (Newark, Trenton, Metuchen, Camden, or Paterson) and follow a shared curriculum and tuition-assistance structure. Independent Catholic schools, often run by religious orders like the Jesuits or Sisters of Charity, set their own admissions, tuition, and academic tracks, and typically carry more prestige and higher cost.

Do New Jersey Catholic schools accept non-Catholic students?

Yes, nearly all New Jersey Catholic schools admit non-Catholic students, though most require participation in religion classes and campus liturgies regardless of the student's faith background. Some schools cap non-Catholic enrollment at a percentage of the student body, and Catholic applicants often receive placement or tuition-assistance priority during admissions review.

How much does Catholic high school tuition cost in New Jersey in 2027?

Diocesan Catholic high schools in New Jersey typically run $9,000-$14,000 per year for parishioners, while elite independent Catholic prep schools can exceed $20,000-$25,000 annually. Most schools offer parishioner discounts, need-based financial aid, and New Jersey's tax-credit scholarship programs to offset costs for qualifying families.

Are New Jersey Catholic schools better academically than public schools?

It depends on the district — Catholic schools generally offer smaller class sizes, more structured discipline, and strong four-year college placement rates, but New Jersey's top public magnet and suburban districts often match or exceed them on standardized test scores. Families should compare specific schools rather than assuming category-wide superiority.

What entrance exam do New Jersey Catholic high schools require?

Most Catholic high schools in New Jersey use the TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools) or the HSPT (High School Placement Test), administered in the fall of eighth grade. Some elite independent Catholic schools instead require the SSAT or ISEE, aligned with their college-prep and boarding-adjacent admissions models.

Which New Jersey diocese has the most Catholic schools?

The Archdiocese of Newark operates the largest network, with dozens of elementary and secondary Catholic schools across Essex, Hudson, Union, and Bergen counties. The Diocese of Trenton and Diocese of Metuchen also maintain sizable systems, though consolidations have reduced total school counts statewide over the past decade.

Can financial aid or vouchers help pay for Catholic school in New Jersey?

New Jersey does not have a statewide school voucher program, but many Catholic schools participate in diocesan tuition-assistance funds, corporate business tax-credit scholarships, and parish-subsidized rates for registered, contributing families. Some schools also offer merit scholarships tied to entrance exam scores or sibling discounts for multi-child households.

Do Catholic schools in New Jersey have strong STEM programs?

Several top-ranked Catholic schools have invested heavily in STEM in recent years, adding engineering labs, robotics teams, and dual-enrollment science credit through partnerships with local colleges. However, STEM depth varies significantly by school size and endowment, so families prioritizing STEM should verify lab facilities and AP science offerings directly.

FAQ

What is the number one ranked Catholic school in New Jersey for 2027?

Rankings vary by source and criteria, but schools like Delbarton School, Oratory Preparatory School, and Immaculate Heart Academy consistently rank at or near the top for academic rigor, college placement, and facilities. Families should verify current-year data directly with each school, since rankings shift with leadership and enrollment changes.

Is Delbarton School Catholic?

Yes, Delbarton School in Morristown is a Catholic, Benedictine, college-preparatory school for boys, run by the monks of St. Mary's Abbey. It is consistently ranked among the top private and Catholic schools nationally for its academics, arts, and athletics programs, with a highly selective admissions process.

What is the oldest Catholic school in New Jersey?

St. Mary's High School in South Amboy and Saint Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, founded in 1872, are among the oldest continuously operating Catholic schools in the state. Many parish elementary schools trace their roots to the mid-1800s alongside New Jersey's earliest immigrant Catholic parishes.

Do Catholic schools in New Jersey require uniforms?

Yes, the overwhelming majority of Catholic elementary and high schools in New Jersey require uniforms, typically polo shirts or button-downs with khakis or plaid skirts for younger grades, and blazer-and-tie dress codes for upper-school students at more traditional or all-boys institutions.

How competitive is admission to top Catholic high schools in New Jersey?

Admission to elite Catholic prep schools like Delbarton, Immaculate Heart Academy, or Saint Peter's Prep is highly competitive, often accepting well under half of applicants based on entrance exam scores, interviews, and middle-school transcripts. Parish-based diocesan high schools are generally less selective and prioritize local Catholic families.

Are New Jersey Catholic schools single-sex or co-ed?

New Jersey has a mix of both — schools like Delbarton and Saint Peter's Prep are all-boys, Immaculate Heart Academy and Mount Saint Mary Academy are all-girls, while most diocesan parish high schools such as Bergen Catholic's sister schools or Paul VI are co-ed.

Do Catholic school students in New Jersey take the SAT or ACT?

Most Catholic high school students in New Jersey take the SAT, since it's more widely used regionally in the Northeast, though ACT participation has grown as more colleges accept either exam. Top-ranked Catholic schools typically report average combined SAT scores well above the state public school average.

What extracurriculars are common at New Jersey Catholic schools?

Common offerings include campus ministry and retreat programs, National Honor Society chapters, robotics and STEM clubs, and strong athletic programs in football, basketball, lacrosse, and wrestling. Many schools also emphasize community-service hour requirements as part of their Catholic social-teaching mission.

Can I transfer into a New Jersey Catholic high school after freshman year?

Yes, most Catholic high schools accept transfer students on a space-available basis, typically requiring transcripts, a placement or entrance exam, and a family interview. Highly selective schools may have limited transfer openings, so contacting the admissions office directly in the fall is recommended for sophomore or junior-year entry.

Do New Jersey Catholic schools offer online or hybrid learning options?

A small but growing number of dioceses, including Metuchen and Trenton, have piloted hybrid or virtual academy options, especially for elementary grades, but the majority of New Jersey Catholic schools remain fully in-person given the emphasis on communal liturgy, discipline, and campus ministry.

Sources

• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/s/new-jersey/
• https://www.privateschoolreview.com/new-jersey/catholic-schools
• https://www.rcan.org
• https://rcdom.org
• https://dioceseoftrenton.org
• https://www.camdendiocese.org
• https://patersondiocese.org
• https://www.greatschools.org
• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-jersey

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