The Most Beautiful Private High School in Every State in America
Though some of these learning institutions may look more like college campuses than high schools, they all share one commonality: to groom their students for the next level of education and the "real world" beyond. Many even use their campus's design to encourage learning and creativity, offering state-of-the-art performance centers and stunning sports fields. Some are rich in history and landmarked by the state, others are forging new paths on eco-friendly learning. Herewith, our list of the most beautiful private high schools in America.
Photo: Courtesy of The Randolph School1/51Alabama: The Randolph School, Huntsville
Open since 2009, the Upper School Campus of the Randolph School is an exemplary piece of Georgian architecture. The building pays homage to its early days, when it was just a small elementary school held in an antebellum home with a columned entrance.
Photo: Facebook2/51Alaska: Lumen Christi High School, Anchorage
Tucked in the mountainous town of Anchorage, Lumen Christi School seeks to create a space for learning as well as worship. On the front grounds stands a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary, which represents the school's strong ties to the Catholic religion.
Photo: Courtesy of Brophy College Preparatory3/51Arizona: Brophy College Preparatory, Phoenix
Inspired by Spanish missions, architect John Rinker Kibbey created this academic sanctuary in the late 1920s. The school’s chapel, Brophy College Chapel, was declared a historic building in 1993.
Photo: Courtesy of Subiaco Academy4/51Arkansas: Subiaco Academy, Subiaco
Housed in part in a historic abbey, Subiaco Academy is a stunning example of Catholic architecture from the late 1800s. The boy’s boarding school services students in 7th through 12th grades and was established in the late 1920s.
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Photo: Courtesy of Santa Catalina School5/51California: Santa Catalina School, Monterey
This picturesque hacienda-style school sits on 36 acres and boasts lush manicured lawns and gardens. The Spanish-inspired campus houses 233 students in its high school, which sits just two hours from San Francisco and is walking distance from the beach.
Photo: Courtesy of Fountain Valley School of Colorado6/51Colorado: Fountain Valley School of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the pueblo-inspired campus of Fountain Valley School of Colorado was designed by architect John Gaw Meem. The nearly 90-year-old boarding school focuses on ushering its 260 student body into adulthood through academics, arts, and athletics.
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Photo: Courtesy of Taft School7/51Connecticut: Taft School, Watertown
Founded in 1890 by Horace Dutton Taft, brother of President William Howard Taft, the Taft School is as rich in history as it is in academic excellence. Though buildings have been added to the 226-acre campus over the past 125 years, the school has chosen to stay consistent in its design, keeping with the historic New England elegance of its oldest buildings.
Photo: Matt Troutman8/51Delaware: St. Andrew’s School, Middletown
Many may recognize this cathedral style campus from Dead Poets Society and episodes of The West Wing. Situated on a sprawling 2,200 acres, St. Andrew’s massive campus has beautiful views of Noxontown Pond, where students practice rowing in the spring.
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Photo: Courtesy of the Bolles School9/51Florida: The Bolles School, Jacksonville
With its breathtaking waterfront location, the Bolles School was formerly a hotel in the 1920s. The Castilian-inspired school is on the National Register of Historic Places and currently hosts 1800 students within its walls.
Photo: Courtesy of Atlanta International School10/51Georgia: Atlanta International School, Atlanta
Designed by Atlanta architect Philip Shutze, the Georgian-style school plays host to students from all over the globe seeking a world-class education.
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Photo: Courtesy of Seabury Hall11/51Hawaii: Seabury Hall, Makawao
Seabury Hall is one of the more unique schools on our list. Not only is it surrounded by the beauty of the Hawaiian landscape, its villa-style architecture and manicured lawns create a luxurious environment for its thriving student body.
Photo: Courtesy of Community School12/51Idaho: Community School, Sun Valley
The contemporary design of the Community School in Idaho is in beautiful juxtaposition against its rustic mountain backdrop. With a strong focus on using the surrounding wilderness as part of the curriculum, Community School is an outdoorsman’s dream campus.
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Photo: Courtesy of Saint Ignatius College Prep13/51Illinois: Saint Ignatius College Prep, Chicago
Designed by Canadian architect Toussaint Menard, Saint Ignatius College Prep stands out among its city surroundings by displaying elements of 17th-century European and Baroque stylings. Built in 1869, the now landmarked building is home to one of the most prestigious high schools in Illinois.
Photo: Jamie Owens / Courtesy of the University High School of Indiana14/51Indiana: University High School of Indiana, Carmel
University High School of Indiana’s modern design strikes a cord with architecture enthusiasts. The school also uses its spacious grounds to display a variety of contemporary art pieces, encouraging students to embrace learning through creativity.
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Photo: Courtesy of Rivermont Collegiate15/51Iowa: Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf
Designed by Arthur H. Ebeling in 1915, this English-style manor was originally home to Joseph W. Bettendorf before becoming a school in 1973.
Photo: Courtesy of Cair Paravel Latin School16/51Kansas: Cair Paravel Latin School, Topeka
Designed by architects Thomas Wilson Williamson and Ted Greist, this Tudor-style building was formerly an elementary school before being turned into a small private school. Most recently, the school added a contemporary building that still retains elements of the school’s original style, creating a cohesive campus.
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Photo: Courtesy of Louisville Collegiate School17/51Kentucky: Louisville Collegiate School, Louisville
This classic brick-and-column building looks more like a college than a private school. Over the 100 years since the school’s inception, the campus has undergone a growth spurt, adding more buildings—all of which nod to the original design.
Photo: Mike Palumbo18/51Louisiana: Metairie Country Day School, Metairie
In its humble beginnings, in 1929, Metairie Country Day School consisted of just the pinkish brick administration building. Recently the school completed an $11 million project that built brand-new science and engineering buildings as well as performing arts spaces. Though the campus’s architectural story spans almost a century, Waggonner and Ball Architects designed the new buildings to meld beautifully with the school’s original Southern Mansion style.
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Photo: Courtesy of Berwick School19/51Maine: Berwick Academy, South Berwick
Dating back to 1791, Berwick Academy is the oldest learning institution in Maine. As the academy has grown the school has since moved physical locations, taking with it the original Georgian schoolhouse, known as the 1791 House, to its current campus.
Photo: Courtesy of St. Timothy’s School20/51Maryland: St. Timothy’s School, Pikesville
SLAM architects completed a renovation and design for the beautiful Dixon Hall, creating a technologically smart space for students to challenge their academic minds.
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Photo: Steve Dunwell21/51Massachusetts: Groton School, Groton
Walking through the Groton School campus is akin to taking a trip down an architectural memory lane. With an eclectic campus sporting everything from a classic Gothic Revival cathedral to a Gilded Age schoolhouse, Groton has made many updates to bring it into the 21st century by making its buildings energy-efficient.
Photo: Courtesy of Cranbrook Schools22/51Michigan: Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills
Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989, Cranbrook Schools' campus is a perfect example of American Architecture, with some buildings dating back as far as 1908.
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Photo: Courtesy of Providence Academy23/51Minnesota: Providence Academy, Plymouth
Providence Academy is a stunning Georgian-style colonial structure originally inspired by the College of William and Mary. Recently the school installed a new performing arts center, which features an all-LED theater, the first of its kind in the state.
Photo: Courtesy of Sacred Heart Catholic School24/51Mississippi: Sacred Heart Catholic School, Hattiesburg
Sacred Heart Catholic School is one of the oldest buildings in Hattiesburg and the first Catholic school to open in the area. The classic building is a sacred haven for both learning and religious worship.
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Photo: Courtesy of Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School25/51Missouri: Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School, St. Louis
Inspired by a French Chateau, the limestone school house was designed by O’Meara & Hills architectural firm and features twin Norman towers.
Photo: Facebook26/51Montana: Montana Academy, Marion
The cabin-inspired design blends beautifully with Montana’s forest surroundings. As a therapeutic school, Montana Academy focuses on healing as well as academic excellence on this remote ranch.
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Photo: Abiola Kosoko / Demolives.com27/51Nebraska: Mount Michael Benedictine High School, Elkhorn
This modern abbey-style building functions as both a working abbey and a prestigious private all-boys high school. Founded in 1953, the school was originally for young men entering the priesthood.
Photo: Mark Boisclair28/51Nevada: Adelson Educational Campus, Las Vegas
The glass dome entranceway of the Adelson Educational Campus is enhanced by the beautifully manicured grounds. The contemporary design lends nicely to the rocky Nevada landscape.
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Photo: Courtesy of St. Paul's School29/51New Hampshire: St. Paul's School, Concord
St. Paul’s encompasses a variety of architectural styles; however, the sprawling campus of 2,000 acres is probably most well known for its Collegiate Gothic style dormitories and scenic Library Pond. Pictured here is the library designed by Robert A.M. Stern.
Photo: Courtesy of Blair Academy30/51New Jersey: Blair Academy, Blairstown
Designed in the Richardson Romanesque style, Blair Academy is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As the school grew, more buildings were added; however, each new structure retains elements of the original buildings within its design.
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Photo: Courtesy of United World College USA31/51New Mexico: United World College USA, Montezuma
The historic Montezuma Castle was renovated in the early 1980s to become what is now the United World College. The Queen Anne–style building is often referred to by students as the American Hogwarts. The student body is made up of students from 90 different countries, speaking a total 125 languages on campus.
Photo: Erin Schaff32/51New York: The Emma Willard School, Troy
The Emma Willard School is a shining example of the collegiate Gothic style. The all-girls boarding school was founded by famed educator Emma Willard and encompasses an impressive 30 buildings on campus.
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Photo: Courtesy of Asheville School33/51North Carolina: Asheville School, Asheville
Built in the Tudor style, the Asheville School is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, creating a picturesque learning environment. The impressive 300-acre campus sits just minutes from thriving downtown Asheville.
Photo: Courtesy of WikiMedia34/51North Dakota: Shanley High School, Fargo
Likely one of the newest buildings on our list, Shanley High School was built in August, 2002. The Catholic School deviated from the typical Gothic style, putting a contemporary twist on religious architecture.
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Photo: Courtesy of Western Reserve Academy35/51Ohio: Western Reserve Academy, Hudson
Yale University was the inspiration for the Federalist-style campus, which at the school’s inception was often referred to as the “Yale of the West.”
Photo: Courtesy of Cascia Hall Preparatory36/51Oklahoma: Cascia Hall Preparatory, Tulsa
Aside from the stunning French Norman–style buildings, Cascia Hall Preparatory sits on expertly manicured grounds. The original monastery, dormitory, and school buildings were built in 1926 and have since influenced the subsequent buildings on campus to create unity in the design as the school began to grow.
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Photo: Courtesy of Catlin Gabel37/51Oregon: Catlin Gabel, Portland
Originally the site of Honey Hill Farm, the unique barn-inspired campus of Catlin Gabel combines contemporary design with rustic elements.
Photo: Betsy Barron / Courtesy of Church Farm School38/51Pennsylvania: Church Farm School, Exton
Located on a large farm tended in part by the students, Church Farm School was originally a school for young men from single-parent households. While the campus encompasses a variety of buildings, the school is most well known for its stunning chapel.
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Photo: Courtesy of St. George’s School39/51Rhode Island: St. George’s School, Middletown
In addition to the Gothic-style chapel and multiple historic buildings, St. George’s School is located on an idyllic bluff overlooking the ocean. The iconic chapel was designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram in 1927.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Hall School40/51South Carolina: Ashley Hall School, Charleston
The Regency Villa–style McBee House was built in 1816 and was a private residence until it was purchased by Ashley Hall in 1909. The seashell house that sits on the grounds is a unique signature of the school and was formerly an exotic bird aviary.
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Photo: Courtesy of WikiMedia41/51South Dakota: O’Gorman Catholic High School, Sioux Falls
After recently completing construction on a state-of-the-art 1000-seat Performing Arts Center, O’Gorman Catholic High School has become a student’s dream for reaching full potential academically and creatively. In addition to superior facilities, the school also boasts a beautiful football field.
Photo: Courtesy of The Baylor School42/51Tennessee: The Baylor School, Chattanooga
In a beautiful location overlooking the Tennessee River, the Baylor School sits on over 600 acres around the school’s extensive quad. A matching cluster of red brick buildings dot the campus, boasting picturesque views of the natural landscape.
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Photo: Courtesy of St. Mark's School43/51Texas: St. Mark’s School of Texas, Dallas
St. Mark’s chapel is the most recognizable building on campus with its lofty bell tower, where weekly services and speaker events are held for students.
Photo: Courtesy of Rowland Hall44/51Utah: Rowland Hall, Salt Lake City
Built in 2002 by Brixen & Christopher Architect, Rowland Hall’s McCarthey Campus is an open layout, encouraging students to interact in the abundance of green spaces and be inspired by the mountainous surroundings. The architects were careful to translate the school’s rich history through the careful installation of stained glass in the chapel and original cabinetry that was taken from their previous campus, which dates back to 1881.
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Photo: Jeff Woodward45/51Vermont: The Putney School, Putney
Built almost completely by students and faculty, the barn-inspired Putney School is located on a working dairy farm, partially kept by students. The campus is sustainable, sporting several solar cabins and LEED buildings on the property.
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Ridge School46/51Virginia: Blue Ridge School, St. George
With multiple buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the white stone Georgian-style campus of the Blue Ridge School is nestled in Shenandoah.
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Photo: Oona Copperhill / Courtesy of Annie Wright School47/51Washington: Annie Wright Schools, Tacoma
Built in the early 1920s, the red brick, Georgian-style campus boasts an arched portico and beautifully landscaped contemplation garden in the school’s main commons.
Photo: Robert Burke Photography48/51Washington, D.C.: St. Albans School
St. Albans School sits beside Washington National Cathedral, on a hill overlooking the capital city and the National Mall. Designed by Philip Sawyer, the school’s original building, the Lane-Johnston Building, was built in 1907 and served as inspiration for other buildings on campus.
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Photo: Rebecca Kiger49/51West Virginia: The Linsly School, Wheeling
Bordering Wheeling Creek, The Linsly School campus sits on a 57-acre plot and encompasses a variety of architectural styles. The most striking structures on the property are the Tudor-style buildings used for everything from administrative work to student housing.
Photo: Courtesy of Wayland Academy50/51Wisconsin: Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam
Wayland Academy was established in 1855 under the original Corinthian-pillared building. The four columns of the original Wayland Hall represent scholarship, faith, health, and service—the fundamental elements of the academy.
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Photo: Courtesy of Journeys School of Teton Science Schools51/51Wyoming: Journeys School of Teton Science Schools, Jackson
Architectural firm Mithun of Seattle designed the contemporary cabin-inspired campus, using the wild landscape as influence.
