Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private High Schools in Miami
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private High Schools in Miami
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private high school in Miami is Ransom Everglades School, a coeducational college-prep school in Coconut Grove whose rigorous academics, deep AP offerings, and matriculation to the most selective universities in the country make it the clear leader in South Florida.
The Best Value pick is Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, an all-boys Catholic college prep that delivers elite academics and near-universal four-year-college placement at tuition well below the secular elites. This list is built for families in Miami-Dade County weighing private high school options, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, value, and program fit.
Every pick is a real, accredited school, with figures drawn from school reports, Niche, and U.S. News.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against what Miami private-school families actually care about, drawing on data from Niche, U.S. News, school profiles, and accreditation records. The weighting:
- Academic rigor (AP/IB, curriculum) - 25%
- College matriculation outcomes - 20%
- Value relative to tuition - 15%
- Teachers, class size, and resources - 15%
- Campus, facilities, and environment - 15%
- Extracurriculars and program fit - 10%
A school with high tuition but weak outcomes or thin programs drops fast. The winners pair rigorous academics with strong college matriculation and a clear value or mission fit.
1. Ransom Everglades School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private (Coeducational, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$48,000 | Best for: Families wanting the most rigorous college-prep school in South Florida
Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove is widely regarded as the premier independent school in Miami, enrolling roughly 1,100 students across two campuses. The school offers a deep slate of AP and advanced courses, small classes, and a low student-teacher ratio, with a college counseling program that routinely places graduates at the Ivies, Stanford, MIT, and other highly selective universities.
Its waterfront Coconut Grove campus, strong arts and athletics, and research-oriented academics make it the most complete private school in the area.
Pros:
- Most rigorous college-prep academics in Miami
- Elite matriculation to the most selective universities
- Small classes and low student-teacher ratio
- Strong arts, athletics, and waterfront campus
Cons:
- High tuition near $48,000
- Highly selective, competitive admission
Verdict: Ransom Everglades wins on balance, the most complete college-prep school in South Florida.
2. Belen Jesuit Preparatory School 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private Catholic (All-Boys, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$18,500 | Best for: Families wanting elite Catholic college prep at strong value
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School is a respected all-boys Catholic college prep in West Miami-Dade, enrolling around 1,500 students across middle and high school. Belen offers a strong AP curriculum and Jesuit formation, with near-universal four-year-college matriculation to top national and Florida universities.
At tuition near $18,500, well below the secular elites, Belen delivers outstanding outcomes per dollar, making it the best value on this list.
Pros:
- Near-universal four-year-college placement
- Strong AP curriculum plus Jesuit formation
- Tuition near $18,500, a fraction of secular elites
- Storied athletics and brotherhood culture
Cons:
- All-boys model not for every family
- Catholic formation central to the experience
Verdict: The best value in Miami private education, elite outcomes at accessible Catholic tuition.
3. Gulliver Preparatory School
Type: Private (Coeducational, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$45,000 | Best for: Families wanting a coed college prep with strong arts and athletics
Gulliver Preparatory School is a large coeducational independent school in Pinecrest and Coral Gables, enrolling roughly 2,200 students across divisions. Gulliver offers a broad AP program, strong STEM and arts tracks, and competitive athletics, with solid matriculation to selective universities.
Its well-resourced campuses and breadth of programs appeal to families wanting choice within a coed environment.
Pros:
- Broad AP and program offerings
- Strong STEM, arts, and athletics
- Well-resourced multi-campus facilities
- Solid selective-university matriculation
Cons:
- High tuition near $45,000
- Large student body
Verdict: A broad, well-resourced coed college prep with strong arts and athletics.
4. Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
Type: Private Catholic (All-Girls, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$40,000 | Best for: Families seeking an elite all-girls Catholic college prep
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Coconut Grove is a leading all-girls Catholic independent school enrolling around 800 students. Carrollton offers a rigorous college-prep curriculum, AP and advanced courses, and the Sacred Heart goals of academic and personal formation, with strong matriculation to selective universities.
Its waterfront campus and supportive all-girls environment are distinctive draws.
Pros:
- Rigorous all-girls college-prep curriculum
- Strong selective-university matriculation
- Sacred Heart formation and small classes
- Waterfront Coconut Grove campus
Cons:
- All-girls Catholic model not for every family
- High tuition near $40,000
Verdict: The premier all-girls Catholic college prep in Miami.
5. Miami Country Day School
Type: Private (Coeducational, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$44,000 | Best for: Families wanting a coed college prep with strong arts and IB-style breadth
Miami Country Day School in Miami Shores is a coeducational independent school enrolling roughly 1,300 students. It offers a strong college-prep curriculum, robust arts programs, and the Conservatory of the Arts, with solid matriculation to selective universities. Its emphasis on the arts alongside academics distinguishes it among Miami coed independents.
Pros:
- Strong arts programs and Conservatory of the Arts
- Solid college-prep academics and matriculation
- Coeducational with broad offerings
- Well-resourced Miami Shores campus
Cons:
- High tuition near $44,000
- Arts emphasis may not suit every student
Verdict: A coed college prep with standout arts programs.
6. Westminster Christian School
Type: Private Christian (Coeducational, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$28,000 | Best for: Families wanting a faith-based coed college prep**
Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay is a coeducational Christian college prep enrolling roughly 1,100 students. It offers a strong AP curriculum and Christian formation, with solid matriculation to selective and faith-based universities and a notable athletics tradition.
At tuition near $28,000, it offers good value among Miami independents with a faith-based mission.
Pros:
- Strong AP curriculum with Christian formation
- Good value at tuition near $28,000
- Notable athletics tradition
- Solid college matriculation
Cons:
- Faith-based mission central to the school
- Smaller AP breadth than the secular elites
Verdict: A strong, good-value Christian college prep with athletics tradition.
7. Palmer Trinity School
Type: Private Episcopal (Coeducational, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$45,000 | Best for: Families wanting a coed Episcopal college prep with sustainability focus
Palmer Trinity School in Palmetto Bay is a coeducational Episcopal independent school enrolling around 800 students. It offers a rigorous college-prep curriculum, AP and Capstone courses, and a strong environmental and service focus, with solid matriculation to selective universities.
Its smaller size supports close student-teacher relationships.
Pros:
- Rigorous college-prep curriculum with Capstone
- Strong environmental and service focus
- Small school with close relationships
- Solid selective-university matriculation
Cons:
- High tuition near $45,000
- Smaller program breadth than larger schools
Verdict: A smaller, mission-driven Episcopal college prep with strong relationships.
8. Christopher Columbus High School
Type: Private Catholic (All-Boys, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$15,500 | Best for: Families wanting all-boys Catholic college prep at strong value
Christopher Columbus High School, a Marist all-boys Catholic college prep in Westchester, enrolls roughly 1,700 students. Columbus offers a strong AP curriculum, Marist formation, and a powerhouse athletics program, with high four-year-college matriculation. At tuition near $15,500, it is among the best values in Miami private education.
Pros:
- High four-year-college matriculation
- Strong AP curriculum and Marist formation
- Powerhouse athletics program
- Excellent value at tuition near $15,500
Cons:
- All-boys Catholic model not for every family
- Large student body
Verdict: An excellent-value all-boys Catholic college prep with strong athletics.
9. Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
Type: Private Catholic (All-Girls, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$15,000 | Best for: Families wanting all-girls Catholic college prep at strong value
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is an all-girls Catholic college prep in Miami enrolling around 800 students. It offers a strong AP curriculum and Catholic formation, with high four-year-college matriculation to selective and Florida universities. At tuition near $15,000, it pairs strong outcomes with accessible Catholic-school value.
Pros:
- High four-year-college matriculation
- Strong AP curriculum and Catholic formation
- Excellent value at tuition near $15,000
- Supportive all-girls environment
Cons:
- All-girls Catholic model not for every family
- Smaller program breadth than larger schools
Verdict: A strong-value all-girls Catholic college prep with excellent outcomes.
10. Miami Christian School
Type: Private Christian (Coeducational, College Prep) | Tuition: ~$13,000 | Best for: Families wanting an affordable faith-based coed college prep
Miami Christian School is a coeducational Christian college prep enrolling several hundred students. It offers a college-prep curriculum with AP options and Christian formation, with solid matriculation to four-year colleges. At tuition near $13,000, it is one of the more affordable accredited private options in Miami for families seeking a faith-based environment.
Pros:
- Affordable tuition near $13,000
- College-prep curriculum with AP options
- Christian formation and small community
- Solid four-year-college matriculation
Cons:
- Smaller AP breadth than larger schools
- Faith-based mission central to the school
Verdict: An affordable, faith-based coed college prep for value-focused families.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Private High School in Miami
- College matriculation outcomes - Ask each school for its matriculation list; consistent placement at the colleges your student targets matters more than overall reputation.
- Academic rigor - Compare the depth of AP, IB, or Capstone offerings and how many students take and pass them, not just the course catalog.
- Value relative to tuition - Catholic college preps like Belen, Columbus, and Our Lady of Lourdes deliver strong outcomes at a fraction of secular-elite tuition.
- Mission and culture fit - Decide whether a Catholic, Episcopal, Christian, or secular environment, and a coed or single-sex setting, fits your family.
- Financial aid - Many Miami private schools offer need-based aid; ask about net cost before ruling out a school on sticker price.
- Class size and resources - Smaller classes and strong counseling often drive outcomes more than campus amenities.
What matters less than marketing implies: a single ranking number, newest facilities, or campus prestige. Fit, college outcomes, value, and the right mission environment affect a student's success far more than a headline figure.
FAQ
Which private high school is the best overall in Miami? Ransom Everglades School earns the top spot for its rigorous college-prep academics, deep AP offerings, small classes, and elite matriculation to the most selective universities in the country.
What is the best value private high school in Miami? Belen Jesuit Preparatory School is our best value, delivering near-universal four-year-college placement and a strong AP curriculum at tuition near $18,500, well below the secular elite schools.
Which Miami private high schools are Catholic? Belen Jesuit, Christopher Columbus, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy are leading Catholic college preps, spanning all-boys, all-girls, and varied tuition levels.
Are there strong all-girls private high schools in Miami? Yes, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy are top all-girls Catholic college preps, with Carrollton at the elite end and Our Lady of Lourdes offering strong value.
Do Miami private high schools offer financial aid? Most accredited Miami private schools, including Ransom Everglades, Gulliver, and the Catholic preps, offer need-based financial aid, so families should request net-cost estimates before deciding.
Which Miami private high school is best for athletics? Christopher Columbus, Belen Jesuit, and Gulliver are known for powerhouse athletics programs, while Westminster Christian also has a strong athletic tradition.
Bottom Line
For Miami families, Ransom Everglades School is our Best Overall, the most rigorous and complete college-prep school in South Florida with elite matriculation. Belen Jesuit is our Best Value, delivering near-universal four-year-college placement at tuition near $18,500.
If your priority is an all-girls environment, a faith-based mission, or maximum affordability, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Carrollton, Columbus, Our Lady of Lourdes, or Miami Christian instead. Choose on college outcomes, value, and mission fit, not a single ranking number, and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- Niche - Best Private High Schools in the Miami Area
- U.S. News - Education
- Ransom Everglades School
- Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
- Gulliver Preparatory School
- Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
- Christopher Columbus High School
- Miami Country Day School
- College Board - AP program data
- NCES - Private School Locator
*Private high schools in Miami review - best private high schools Miami, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for families.*