Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private High Schools in Cincinnati
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private High Schools in Cincinnati
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private high school in the Cincinnati area is Cincinnati Country Day School, a non-sectarian college-prep school whose small classes, deep AP and arts programs, and near-universal four-year college matriculation place it at the top of the region's independent schools.
The Best Value pick is St. Xavier High School, a Jesuit Catholic boys' school whose strong academics, robust financial aid, and standout outcomes deliver elite college prep at tuition well below the secular independents. This list serves families and students weighing private options across Greater Cincinnati, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, faith and fit, and cost.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from each school, U.S. News, Niche, and Catholic diocese sources.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families raise when shopping private schools, drawing on published figures from Niche, U.S. News, GreatSchools, and individual school profiles. The weighting:
- Academic performance (AP/IB, test scores) - 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value and financial aid - 15%
- Teachers and resources - 15%
- Environment, faith, and culture - 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit - 10%
A school that posts strong scores but offers thin aid, or wins on reputation but graduates few to four-year colleges, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. Cincinnati Country Day School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private, Independent (Coed, Non-sectarian) | Tuition: ~$30,000/yr | Best for: Families seeking the region's top secular college-prep school
Cincinnati Country Day School in Indian Hill is a coed, non-sectarian independent school enrolling about 350 upper-school students with a low student-teacher ratio near 8:1. The school offers a deep AP catalog alongside strong arts and STEM programs, and reports near-100% four-year college matriculation to selective universities.
Its small classes, one-to-one technology, and strong advising are hallmarks. The campus sits on more than 60 acres with extensive athletics and arts facilities.
Pros:
- Near-100% four-year college matriculation
- Very low student-teacher ratio near 8:1
- Deep AP, arts, and STEM programs
- Expansive 60+ acre campus and facilities
Cons:
- Among the highest tuition in the region
- Small enrollment limits the size of athletic programs
Verdict: Country Day wins on balance - the region's deepest secular college-prep program with elite outcomes.
2. St. Xavier High School 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private, Catholic (Jesuit, Boys) | Tuition: ~$17,000/yr | Best for: Boys seeking elite Jesuit college prep with strong financial aid
St. Xavier High School in Springfield Township is a Jesuit Catholic boys' school enrolling about 1,600 students and one of the largest, strongest college-prep schools in the metro. St.
X reports near-100% four-year college enrollment, a deep AP catalog, and powerhouse athletics (notably swimming and cross country). Its substantial financial aid program and tuition well below the secular independents make it an outstanding outcomes-per-dollar choice rooted in Jesuit formation.
Pros:
- Near-100% four-year college enrollment
- Strong financial aid keeps net cost low
- Deep AP catalog and Jesuit formation
- Nationally competitive athletics
Cons:
- Boys-only may not fit every family
- Large enrollment means bigger classes than the independents
Verdict: The value champion - elite Jesuit college prep at a net cost far below the secular independents.
3. The Seven Hills School
Type: Private, Independent (Coed, Non-sectarian) | Tuition: ~$29,000/yr | Best for: Families wanting a coed independent school with strong arts and STEM
The Seven Hills School in Madisonville is a coed, non-sectarian independent school with an upper school of about 300 students and a student-teacher ratio near 8:1. Seven Hills offers a deep AP catalog, strong arts and STEM programs, and reports near-100% four-year college matriculation.
Its two campuses, robust advising, and global-studies programs are real strengths.
Pros:
- Near-100% four-year college matriculation
- Low student-teacher ratio near 8:1
- Strong arts, STEM, and global studies
- Coed independent setting
Cons:
- High tuition comparable to Country Day
- Smaller athletic program than the large Catholic schools
Verdict: A top coed independent - strong academics and arts with elite outcomes.
4. Saint Ursula Academy
Type: Private, Catholic (Girls) | Tuition: ~$16,000/yr | Best for: Girls seeking strong Catholic college prep with deep AP options
Saint Ursula Academy in East Walnut Hills is a Catholic girls' school enrolling about 650 students and a consistent top performer. It reports near-100% four-year college enrollment, a broad AP catalog, and strong STEM and arts programs. The school's financial aid, Ursuline tradition, and college advising are hallmarks, and tuition sits well below the secular independents.
Pros:
- Near-100% four-year college enrollment
- Broad AP catalog and strong STEM
- Solid financial aid and Ursuline formation
- Tuition below the independents
Cons:
- Girls-only may not fit every family
- Urban campus with limited acreage
Verdict: A leading Catholic girls' school - strong academics and formation at accessible tuition.
5. Ursuline Academy
Type: Private, Catholic (Girls) | Tuition: ~$17,000/yr | Best for: Girls wanting a college-prep Catholic school with strong STEM
Ursuline Academy in Blue Ash is a Catholic girls' school of about 650 students known for strong STEM programming and a deep AP catalog. It reports near-100% four-year college matriculation and offers substantial financial aid. The suburban campus supports robust athletics and arts alongside its Ursuline mission.
Pros:
- Near-100% four-year college matriculation
- Strong STEM focus and AP catalog
- Substantial financial aid
- Suburban campus with full athletics
Cons:
- Girls-only setting
- Tuition rising in recent years
Verdict: A STEM-forward Catholic girls' school - excellent for science-minded students.
6. Archbishop Moeller High School
Type: Private, Catholic (Marianist, Boys) | Tuition: ~$16,000/yr | Best for: Boys seeking Catholic college prep with powerhouse athletics
Archbishop Moeller High School in Kenwood is a Marianist Catholic boys' school enrolling about 900 students. Moeller reports strong four-year college enrollment, a solid AP catalog, and nationally known athletics (notably football and baseball). Its financial aid, Marianist formation, and engineering/STEM tracks are real strengths at tuition below the independents.
Pros:
- Strong four-year college enrollment
- Solid AP catalog and STEM/engineering tracks
- Nationally known athletics tradition
- Financial aid and Marianist formation
Cons:
- Boys-only setting
- Athletics reputation can overshadow academics
Verdict: A strong Catholic boys' school - solid academics with a storied athletics tradition.
7. Mount Notre Dame High School
Type: Private, Catholic (Girls) | Tuition: ~$15,000/yr | Best for: Girls wanting affordable, strong Catholic college prep
Mount Notre Dame High School in Reading is a Catholic girls' school of about 750 students and a consistent strong performer. It reports strong four-year college enrollment, a solid AP catalog, and good arts and athletics programs. Its accessible tuition and financial aid make it one of the better values among the Catholic girls' schools.
Pros:
- Strong four-year college enrollment
- Accessible tuition with financial aid
- Solid AP, arts, and athletics
- Notre Dame (SND) formation
Cons:
- Girls-only setting
- Smaller AP catalog than the independents
Verdict: An affordable Catholic girls' standout - strong outcomes at accessible tuition.
8. La Salle High School
Type: Private, Catholic (Lasallian, Boys) | Tuition: ~$14,000/yr | Best for: Boys seeking affordable Catholic college prep with strong support
La Salle High School in Monfort Heights is a Lasallian Catholic boys' school of about 700 students. It reports solid four-year college enrollment, a growing AP catalog, and strong athletics. The Lasallian mission emphasizes student support and access, with substantial financial aid keeping net tuition low.
Pros:
- Solid four-year college enrollment
- Accessible tuition with strong financial aid
- Lasallian focus on student support
- Strong athletics programs
Cons:
- Boys-only setting
- Smaller AP catalog than the top academic schools
Verdict: An accessible Catholic boys' school - strong support and outcomes at low net cost.
9. Summit Country Day School
Type: Private, Catholic (Coed, Independent) | Tuition: ~$24,000/yr | Best for: Families wanting a coed Catholic independent with IB and Montessori roots
The Summit Country Day School in Hyde Park is a coed Catholic independent school enrolling about 400 upper-school students with a student-teacher ratio near 9:1. Summit offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme alongside AP options and reports near-100% four-year college matriculation.
Its character-education focus and small classes are hallmarks.
Pros:
- Near-100% four-year college matriculation
- IB Diploma Programme plus AP options
- Low student-teacher ratio near 9:1
- Coed Catholic independent setting
Cons:
- Higher tuition than the diocesan Catholic schools
- Smaller enrollment limits athletics breadth
Verdict: A coed Catholic independent standout - IB rigor with small classes and strong character formation.
10. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Type: Private, Christian (Coed) | Tuition: ~$17,000/yr | Best for: Families seeking a coed non-denominational Christian college-prep school
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) is a coed, non-denominational Christian school with an upper school of about 600 students across multiple campuses. CHCA reports strong four-year college enrollment, a solid AP catalog, and a distinctive conservatory and Discovery (project-based) program.
Its faith-integrated curriculum and financial aid are real strengths.
Pros:
- Strong four-year college enrollment
- Distinctive conservatory and project-based programs
- Coed non-denominational Christian setting
- Financial aid available
Cons:
- Multi-campus model means varied facilities
- Smaller AP catalog than the top independents
Verdict: A leading coed Christian option - faith-integrated college prep with distinctive programs.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Private High School
- Four-year college matriculation - Ask for the share enrolling in four-year colleges and a recent matriculation list, not just selective-school anecdotes.
- Financial aid depth - Sticker tuition matters less than net cost; schools like St. Xavier and the diocesan Catholic schools offer substantial aid.
- AP/IB depth and pass rates - Look at how many students actually pass exams, which reflects real rigor.
- Faith and culture fit - Jesuit, Marianist, Lasallian, Ursuline, and non-denominational schools each carry distinct missions; visit to gauge fit.
- Class size and advising - Independents like Country Day and Seven Hills offer very low ratios; the large Catholic schools trade some intimacy for breadth.
- Single-sex vs. Coed - Several top picks are boys-only or girls-only; decide whether that environment suits your student.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's ranking number, its newest building, or its sticker price alone. Fit, net cost, and a supportive teacher relationship affect outcomes far more.
FAQ
Which private high school is the best overall in Cincinnati? Cincinnati Country Day School earns the top spot for its near-100% four-year college matriculation, very low student-teacher ratio, and deep AP, arts, and STEM programs as the region's leading secular independent.
What is the best value private high school in Cincinnati? St. Xavier High School is our best value - its strong financial aid and tuition well below the secular independents deliver elite Jesuit college prep at a low net cost.
Which Cincinnati private high schools are Catholic? St. Xavier, Saint Ursula, Ursuline Academy, Archbishop Moeller, Mount Notre Dame, La Salle, and Summit Country Day are Catholic schools spanning Jesuit, Marianist, Lasallian, Ursuline, and Notre Dame traditions.
Do Cincinnati private high schools offer financial aid? Yes - most, including St. Xavier, Moeller, and the diocesan girls' schools, offer substantial need-based aid that significantly lowers net tuition for qualifying families.
Are there coed private high schools in Cincinnati? Yes - Cincinnati Country Day, The Seven Hills School, Summit Country Day, and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy are coed, while St. Xavier and Moeller are boys-only and Saint Ursula, Ursuline, and Mount Notre Dame are girls-only.
Which Cincinnati private high school offers the IB diploma? The Summit Country Day School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme alongside AP options, a structured, internationally recognized pathway.
Bottom Line
For Greater Cincinnati families, Cincinnati Country Day School is our Best Overall private high school - its small classes, deep AP and arts programs, and near-universal four-year college matriculation set the standard. St. Xavier High School is our Best Value, delivering elite Jesuit college prep at a net cost far below the secular independents thanks to strong aid.
If your priority is a girls' school, a coed Catholic setting, or the IB diploma, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Saint Ursula, Summit, or another pick instead. Choose on fit, net cost, and outcomes - not a single ranking number - and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Ohio High Schools rankings
- Niche - Best Private High Schools in the Cincinnati Area
- GreatSchools - Cincinnati school ratings
- Cincinnati Country Day School
- St. Xavier High School
- The Seven Hills School
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati - Catholic schools
- The Summit Country Day School
- College Board - AP program data
- The Cincinnati Enquirer - education coverage
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