Top 10 Catholic High Schools in New York
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateDirect Answer
The best Catholic high school in New York is Regis High School in Manhattan, our π BEST OVERALL pick β a tuition-free, highly selective Jesuit school for academically gifted Catholic boys, with elite academics and extraordinary college matriculation. For families seeking outstanding Catholic education at exceptional value, Christ the King Regional High School in Queens is our π BEST VALUE choice, delivering strong Catholic academics and college access at an accessible tuition.
This ranking weighs academic rigor, college matriculation, Catholic identity and formation, affordability, and the distinctive programs that make each school worth choosing. Every school below is a real, currently operating New York Catholic high school, and every description reflects what that school is genuinely known for.
How We Ranked These
We built this list around four measures that Catholic families actually care about. Academic rigor came first, weighing curricular depth, Advanced Placement and honors offerings, faculty credentials, and the intellectual seriousness of each program. College matriculation followed, looking at where graduates actually enroll β admission rates to the Ivy League, top Jesuit and Catholic universities, and selective colleges relative to class size.
We then layered in Catholic identity and formation β the religious order or diocese behind the school, service requirements, retreats, and the strength of faith formation β because a Catholic school's mission is central to its purpose. Finally we considered affordability and access, favoring schools with strong financial aid, scholarship programs, or, in rare cases, free tuition.
Catholic high schools generally cost far less than secular private schools, but aid still shapes who can attend.
A note on geography: New York's strongest Catholic high schools concentrate in New York City β across Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island β with strong schools in Long Island, Westchester, and Buffalo. Many are run by religious orders such as the Jesuits, De La Salle Christian Brothers, or Sisters of Charity, each with a distinctive charism, which is why we weighed mission alongside academics.
1. Regis High School π BEST OVERALL
On Manhattan's Upper East Side, Regis High School is a Jesuit school for academically gifted Catholic boys that charges no tuition, funded entirely by an endowment and alumni giving. Admission is intensely selective, and the academics are among the most rigorous in the country, with elite college matriculation to the Ivy League and top universities.
Regis combines Jesuit formation, a strong service ethic, and a brotherhood culture with resources that rival the finest secular schools. Free tuition plus elite outcomes makes it the clear overall pick.
2. Christ the King Regional High School π BEST VALUE
In Middle Village, Queens, Christ the King offers a strong college-preparatory Catholic education at an accessible tuition, with a diverse student body and robust academic, arts, and athletics programs. The school is known for solid AP offerings, a supportive community, and reliable college placement, plus a nationally recognized basketball tradition.
Its combination of affordability, Catholic formation, and dependable outcomes makes it our best-value pick for families across the New York City boroughs.
3. Fordham Preparatory School
On the Bronx campus of Fordham University, Fordham Prep is a leading Jesuit college-preparatory school for boys, known for rigorous academics, strong faith formation, and excellent college matriculation. Its proximity to Fordham enriches academic and cultural opportunities, and its emphasis on the Jesuit ideal of educating the whole person produces graduates who enroll at top Catholic and secular universities.
Fordham Prep's tradition, rigor, and service ethic make it one of the premier Catholic schools in the state.
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4. Convent of the Sacred Heart (91st Street)
A prestigious all-girls Catholic school on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Convent of the Sacred Heart is part of the international Sacred Heart network and is the oldest independent girls' school in the city. It is known for rigorous academics, strong STEM and arts, and a mission centered on educating confident, faith-grounded young women.
The school posts elite college matriculation and combines academic excellence with the distinctive Sacred Heart goals of intellectual and spiritual formation.
5. Iona Preparatory School
In New Rochelle, Westchester County, Iona Prep is a respected Christian Brothers college-preparatory school for boys, known for strong academics, athletics, and a close community grounded in the Lasallian tradition. The school offers a robust AP catalog and reliable college placement to Catholic and secular universities.
Iona Prep's emphasis on faith, service, and academic excellence makes it a leading choice for Catholic families in the northern New York City suburbs.
6. Chaminade High School
In Mineola on Long Island, Chaminade is a highly regarded Marianist college-preparatory school for boys, known for academic rigor, strong faith formation, and exceptional college matriculation. One of the largest and most respected Catholic schools in the region, Chaminade combines a demanding curriculum, a deep slate of activities, and a strong brotherhood culture.
Its consistent record of placing graduates at top universities makes it a premier Catholic school on Long Island.
7. Academy of Mount Saint Ursula
In the Bronx, the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula is the oldest Catholic girls' school in New York State, run in the Ursuline tradition. It is known for strong academics, a supportive community, and a long record of educating young women for college and leadership. The school offers solid AP and honors coursework and reliable college placement, and its historic mission of educating girls in the city's diverse neighborhoods makes it a respected and accessible Catholic option.
8. Xavier High School
In Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, Xavier High School is a Jesuit college-preparatory school for boys known for rigorous academics, a distinctive JROTC program, and strong faith formation. Xavier combines a demanding curriculum with a deep service ethic and reliable college matriculation to top universities.
Its blend of Jesuit education, leadership development, and a tight-knit community in the heart of Manhattan makes it one of the city's standout Catholic schools.
9. St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute
In Buffalo, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute is a leading Christian Brothers college-preparatory school for boys in Western New York, known for strong academics, athletics, and Lasallian formation. The school offers a robust AP catalog, broad extracurriculars, and reliable college placement, and it serves as the flagship Catholic boys' school of the Buffalo region.
Its tradition, academic strength, and community make it the premier Catholic option in upstate New York.
10. Notre Dame School of Manhattan
An all-girls Catholic school in Manhattan, Notre Dame School is known for small class sizes, strong academics, and a supportive, mission-driven community serving a diverse student body. The school emphasizes individualized attention, faith formation, and college readiness, with reliable matriculation to Catholic and secular universities.
Its intimate setting and commitment to educating young women from across the city round out this list of New York's finest Catholic high schools.
Matching a School to Your Student
The "best" Catholic school is the one that fits your student's priorities. Use the guide below to narrow this list to the two or three schools worth a visit, then confirm entrance-exam dates and financial-aid deadlines before you apply.
Honorable Mentions
A few New York Catholic schools narrowly missed the top ten but deserve a look. Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx and Cathedral Preparatory serve city students well, while St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens is one of the largest Catholic schools in the country.
On Long Island, St. Anthony's High School and Kellenberg Memorial are strong Marianist and Franciscan options. In Westchester, Archbishop Stepinac High School posts solid outcomes, and Canisius High School anchors Buffalo's Jesuit tradition.
Families should keep these on their shortlist, since entrance-exam competitiveness and aid budgets shift year to year and a strong honorable-mention school may be a better practical fit than a top-ten school across the state.
FAQ
What is the best Catholic high school in New York? Regis High School in Manhattan is our top pick β a tuition-free, highly selective Jesuit school for academically gifted Catholic boys with elite academics and college matriculation.
Which New York Catholic high school is the best value? Christ the King Regional High School in Queens delivers strong Catholic academics and reliable college access at an accessible tuition, making it our best-value pick. Regis is also notable for charging no tuition for those admitted.
Are there free Catholic high schools in New York? Yes. Regis High School charges no tuition, funded by its endowment and alumni, though admission is extremely competitive. Most other Catholic schools charge tuition but offer financial aid.
How were these schools ranked? We weighed academic rigor, college matriculation, Catholic identity and formation, and affordability, drawing on Catholic-school data, matriculation records, and the missions of the sponsoring religious orders.
What entrance exam do New York Catholic schools use? Many Archdiocese and Diocese of Brooklyn schools use the TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools), while some Jesuit and independent Catholic schools, like Regis, administer their own entrance exams.
Which Catholic schools are run by the Jesuits? Regis High School, Fordham Preparatory School, and Xavier High School are Jesuit schools known for rigorous academics and the Jesuit ideal of educating the whole person.
Bottom Line
New York's strongest Catholic high schools cluster across the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and Buffalo, blending rigorous academics with faith formation and strong college outcomes. Regis High School leads on overall strength and uniquely charges no tuition, while Christ the King delivers strong Catholic education at the best value.
Whether you prioritize Jesuit formation at Fordham Prep, an all-girls education at Convent of the Sacred Heart, or a Long Island option like Chaminade, any school on this list represents the top tier of New York Catholic education. Register for entrance exams early, request financial aid on time, visit in person, and match each school's distinctive mission to your student.