Phillip EdwinTexas is home to an impressive collection of private high schools that consistently rank among the best in the nation, offering families a wide range of educational options from prestigious college-preparatory institutions to faith-based academies and specialized programs. The state’s top private schools are recognized for their rigorous academics, strong college placement records, and exceptional extracurricular opportunities, with many earning A+ grades from Niche and top rankings from national evaluators.
Schools like The Village School and The John Cooper School have achieved national recognition, with Cooper ranked as one of the top private schools in Texas and nationally for its academic excellence and STEM programs.
Top Private Schools In Texas
1. The Village School (Houston)
The Village School is ranked #15 Best Private K-12 School in America and #3 Best Private K-12 School in Texas according to Niche’s recent rankings, climbing four places from the previous year. The school holds the #1 ranking for diversity and boarding in Texas and #2 Best STEM High School in Houston. As part of the Nord Anglia Education network,
The Village School offers unique partnerships with MIT, The Juilliard School, and UNICEF, along with a STEAM program that includes a robotics lab, makerspace, and specialized diplomas in pre-medical science and computer science. The community represents more than 90 nationalities, fostering a truly international and inclusive learning environment.
2. St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (Austin)
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School ranks among the top private high schools in Texas, with a Niche grade of A+ and a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school is located in Austin and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program with a strong emphasis on community and global citizenship. St. Stephen’s is known for its rigorous academics and its location in Texas’s capital city.
3. Greenhill School (Addison)
Greenhill School is a top-ranked private school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 1,373 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Greenhill is recognized for its excellent academics and supportive community environment.
4. The John Cooper School (The Woodlands)
The John Cooper School is ranked #2 Best Private High School in Texas and #14 Best Private K-12 School in America out of 3,055 schools nationwide according to Niche’s 2026 rankings, representing its highest standing to date. The school serves 1,380 students from 45 countries and offers 20 varsity sports, earning an A+ Overall Grade and an A+ for diversity. Cooper also ranks #5 Best High School for STEM in Texas and #62 Best High School for STEM in America, underscoring its academic excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
5. The Awty International School (Houston)
The Awty International School is a top-ranked private school in Houston, earning an A+ grade from Niche and serving 1,754 students with a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school offers a globally-focused curriculum with a strong emphasis on international education and bilingual programs. Awty is recognized for its diverse community and excellent academic outcomes.
6. The Kinkaid School (Houston)
The Kinkaid School is a top-ranked private school in Houston, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school serves 1,469 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program in a non-sectarian environment. Kinkaid is known for its rigorous academics and strong athletic programs.
7. Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (Houston)
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory is a top-ranked all-boys Catholic school in Houston, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school serves 1,396 students and is known for its rigorous academics and strong Jesuit tradition. Strake Jesuit offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program with a focus on service and leadership development.
8. Cistercian Preparatory School (Irving)
Cistercian Preparatory School is a top-ranked all-boys Catholic school in the Dallas area, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school serves 357 students and offers a rigorous college-preparatory program grounded in the Cistercian tradition. Cistercian is known for its excellent academics and strong sense of community.
9. The Episcopal School of Dallas (Dallas)
The Episcopal School of Dallas is a top-ranked private school in Dallas, earning an A+ grade from Niche and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school serves 1,189 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program guided by Episcopal values. ESD is known for its strong academics, arts, and athletic programs.
10. Saint Mary’s Hall (San Antonio)
Saint Mary’s Hall is a top-ranked private school in San Antonio, founded in 1879, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school boasts a 100% college matriculation rate, with graduates regularly placing into top-tier and Ivy League institutions . Saint Mary’s Hall offers over 30 Advanced Placement and college-level classes and has an average SAT score of 1380 and an average ACT score of 32.
11. St. Mark’s School of Texas (Dallas)
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a prestigious all-boys school in Dallas, serving grades 1-12 with an acceptance rate of approximately 20% . The school has a strong reputation for academic excellence and college placement. St. Mark’s is known for its rigorous curriculum and strong tradition of leadership development.
12. Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (Dallas)
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is a top-ranked all-boys Catholic school, earning an A+ grade from Niche and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 1,153 students and is known for its rigorous academics and strong Jesuit tradition. Jesuit Dallas offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program with a focus on service and leadership.
13. The Hockaday School (Dallas)
The Hockaday School is a top-ranked all-girls school in Dallas, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school serves 1,110 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program with a strong focus on leadership development. Hockaday is known for its rigorous academics and strong alumnae network.
14. Vanguard College Preparatory School (Waco)
Vanguard College Preparatory School is a top-ranked private school in Waco, earning an A+ grade from Niche, a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and serving 300 students. The school is known for its personalized approach to education and strong college-preparatory program. Vanguard is an affordable private school option with a strong academic reputation.
15. The Emery/Weiner School (Houston)
The Emery/Weiner School is a top-ranked private school in Houston, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 604 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program. Emery/Weiner is known for its strong academics and supportive community environment.
16. Alcuin School (Dallas)
Alcuin School is a top-ranked private school in Dallas, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 587 students and offers an innovative Montessori-based program through the middle years with a strong high school program. Alcuin is known for its unique educational approach and strong academic outcomes.
17. St. Agnes Academy (Houston)
St. Agnes Academy is a top-ranked all-girls Catholic school in Houston, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 935 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program. St. Agnes is known for its strong academics and supportive community environment.
18. Keystone School (San Antonio)
Keystone School is a top-ranked private school in San Antonio, earning an A+ grade from Niche and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 500 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program. Keystone is known for its innovative curriculum and personalized approach to education.
19. TMI Episcopal (San Antonio)
TMI Episcopal is a top-ranked private school in San Antonio, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 580 students and offers a college-preparatory program with an Episcopal tradition. TMI is known for its strong academics and military school heritage.
20. Trinity Valley School (Fort Worth)
Trinity Valley School is a top-ranked private school in Fort Worth, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 1,037 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program. Trinity Valley is known for its strong academics and excellent athletic programs.
21. Dallas International School (Dallas)
Dallas International School is a top-ranked private school in Dallas, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 570 students and offers a globally-focused education with a strong emphasis on international languages and cultures. Dallas International is known for its diverse community and rigorous academic program.
22. St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (Austin)
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is a top-ranked private school in Austin, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 981 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program. St. Andrew’s is known for its strong academics and supportive community environment.
23. Episcopal High School (Bellaire)
Episcopal High School is a top-ranked private school in the Houston area, earning an A+ grade from Niche and a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio . The school serves 824 students and offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program. Episcopal High is known for its strong academics and Episcopal tradition.
24. The Brook Hill School (Bullard)
The Brook Hill School is an independent, coeducational, Christ-centered, college-preparatory day and boarding school located on a 250-acre campus in Bullard, Texas, serving Pre-K through Grade 12 with a boarding program available for Grades 8-12 . The school was founded in 1997 and is accredited by Cognia and CESA. The Class of 2025 had 83 graduates who received 346 acceptances to 140 universities, with confirmed Ivy League acceptances including Brown, Princeton, and Columbia .
25. British International School of Houston (Houston)
The British International School of Houston is ranked #17 in Texas for private high schools according to Niche’s latest rankings. The school is recognized for its academic rigor and diverse community, ranking in the top 5% of private K-12 schools nationally and top 3% for diversity. Recent graduates have received offers from top universities worldwide.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Student-Teacher Ratio | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Village School | Houston | 8:1 | #15 nationally, #1 diversity/boarding in TX, MIT partnership |
| 2 | St. Stephen’s Episcopal School | Austin | 6:1 | A+ Niche grade, Austin location |
| 3 | Greenhill School | Addison | 9:1 | A+ Niche grade, DFW top school |
| 4 | The John Cooper School | The Woodlands | N/A | #2 in Texas, #5 STEM in Texas |
| 5 | The Awty International School | Houston | 7:1 | Globally-focused, bilingual programs |
| 6 | The Kinkaid School | Houston | 10:1 | A+ Niche grade, non-sectarian |
| 7 | Strake Jesuit College Preparatory | Houston | 12:1 | All-boys Catholic, Jesuit tradition |
| 8 | Cistercian Preparatory School | Irving | 6:1 | All-boys Catholic, rigorous academics |
| 9 | The Episcopal School of Dallas | Dallas | 8:1 | Episcopal values, comprehensive program |
| 10 | Saint Mary’s Hall | San Antonio | 7:1 | 100% college placement, 30+ AP courses |
| 11 | St. Mark’s School of Texas | Dallas | N/A | 20% acceptance rate, Ivy+ placement |
| 12 | Jesuit College Preparatory | Dallas | 8:1 | All-boys Catholic, service focus |
| 13 | The Hockaday School | Dallas | 9:1 | All-girls, leadership focus |
| 14 | Vanguard College Preparatory | Waco | 6:1 | Personalized approach, affordable |
| 15 | The Emery/Weiner School | Houston | 5:1 | A+ Niche grade, supportive community |
| 16 | Alcuin School | Dallas | 9:1 | Montessori-based, innovative program |
| 17 | St. Agnes Academy | Houston | 10:1 | All-girls Catholic, strong academics |
| 18 | Keystone School | San Antonio | 8:1 | Innovative curriculum, personalized |
| 19 | TMI Episcopal | San Antonio | 10:1 | Episcopal tradition, military heritage |
| 20 | Trinity Valley School | Fort Worth | 10:1 | Strong academics, athletic programs |
| 21 | Dallas International School | Dallas | 4:1 | Globally-focused, international languages |
| 22 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal School | Austin | 6:1 | A+ Niche grade, supportive community |
| 23 | Episcopal High School | Bellaire | 7:1 | Episcopal tradition, Houston area |
| 24 | The Brook Hill School | Bullard | 6:1 | Christian boarding school, Ivy acceptances |
| 25 | British International School of Houston | Houston | Varies | Top 5% nationally, top 3% diversity |
Success Tips for Choosing a Private School
Start by identifying your child’s academic interests and career goals, as Texas private schools offer specialized programs ranging from STEM and international education to arts and faith-based instruction . For students interested in STEM, The John Cooper School (#5 in Texas) and The Village School (#2 in Houston for STEM) are exceptional choices.
Consider the school’s college placement record; Saint Mary’s Hall boasts 100% college matriculation with graduates placing into top-tier and Ivy League institutions.
Evaluate the student-teacher ratio, as lower ratios like 4:1 at Dallas International School and 5:1 at The Emery/Weiner School provide more individualized attention.
Review each school’s tuition and financial aid options, as private school costs can vary significantly. Visit campuses and attend open houses to get a firsthand feel for the school culture and meet teachers and administrators.
For boarding school options, consider The Brook Hill School, which offers a boarding program for Grades 8-12 on a 250-acre campus .
Closing
Texas offers a remarkable array of private high schools, from nationally ranked institutions like The Village School and The John Cooper School to prestigious all-girls and all-boys schools, faith-based academies, and globally-focused international schools. Whether you prioritize STEM excellence, a personalized learning environment, a strong athletic program, or a faith-based education, Texas private schools provide diverse pathways to success.
These institutions consistently send graduates to top universities and offer unparalleled extracurricular opportunities in academics, arts, and athletics. Note that all information, including rankings, tuition, and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school and through official sources like Niche and Private School Review.