Best Private Schools in Miami by Neighborhood: 2026 Guide for Families

Miami offers an unusually broad selection of independent, Catholic, Episcopal, Jewish, and Montessori private schools.

For families relocating to Miami, choosing a school and choosing a neighborhood often happen at the same time.

Miami traffic can make a school that appears close on a map considerably less convenient during morning and afternoon hours. For many families, the location of a preferred school therefore becomes an important consideration when deciding where to buy or rent.

This guide focuses exclusively on private schools and organizes them according to their actual campus locations or the residential areas from which families commonly commute.

School programs, admissions requirements, tuition, and availability can change. Families should always verify current information directly with each school.

Coconut Grove Private Schools

Coconut Grove has one of Miami's strongest concentrations of established private schools.

Its residential neighborhoods also provide convenient access to Coral Gables, Brickell, and Downtown Miami.

Ransom Everglades School

Grades: 6–12
Type: Independent, coeducational college-preparatory school
Location: Coconut Grove

Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades operates two Coconut Grove campuses. Its Middle School is located at 2045 South Bayshore Drive, while its Upper School is at 3575 Main Highway.

The school describes its program as rigorous college preparation combined with leadership, community involvement, athletics, and the arts.

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart

Grades: Montessori 3–Grade 12
Type: Independent Catholic, all-girls school
Location: Coconut Grove

Carrollton is an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory school and a member of the international Sacred Heart network. Its Main Highway campus places it directly in Coconut Grove.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School

Grades: Pre-K3–Grade 5
Type: Episcopal private school
Location: Coconut Grove

St. Stephen's is located on Main Highway and provides elementary education in an Episcopal school environment.

St. Hugh Catholic School

Grades: Pre-K3–Grade 8
Type: Catholic private school
Location: Coconut Grove

St. Hugh is located at 3460 Royal Road and is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference.

Immaculata-La Salle High School

Grades: 9–12
Type: Catholic college-preparatory high school
Location: Coconut Grove

The school occupies a waterfront campus on South Bayshore Drive and provides Catholic secondary education.

Why families consider Coconut Grove: The neighborhood offers several major private schools within the area itself, plus single-family homes, gated communities, waterfront properties, and luxury condominiums.

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Coral Gables Private Schools

Coral Gables is another major center of private education and one of Miami's most established family-oriented residential markets.

St. Philip's Episcopal School

Grades: Pre-K3–Grade 5
Type: Episcopal private school
Location: Coral Gables

St. Philip's is located at 1121 Andalusia Avenue in central Coral Gables.

St. Theresa Catholic School

Grades: Pre-K3–Grade 8
Type: Catholic private school
Location: Coral Gables

Located at 2701 Indian Mound Trail, St. Theresa is associated with the Church of the Little Flower.

St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School

Grades: Pre-K–Grade 5
Type: Episcopal private school
Location: Coral Gables

Riviera Schools

Grades: Preschool through secondary school, depending on campus
Type: Independent private school
Location: Coral Gables / Miami area

Gulliver Prep — Nearby

Gulliver is frequently associated with Coral Gables and Pinecrest, but its campus geography deserves clarification.

Its Marian C. Krutulis PK–8 campus is at 12595 Red Road, while the Upper School is at 6575 North Kendall Drive.

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Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay Private Schools

Pinecrest and neighboring Palmetto Bay are popular with families seeking larger homes and proximity to several major private schools.

Gulliver Prep

Grades: PK–12 across its divisions
Type: Independent, coeducational private school

Gulliver serves students from early childhood through Grade 12. Its academic offerings include Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at the Upper School.

Palmer Trinity School

Grades: 6–12
Type: Independent Episcopal, coeducational college-preparatory school
Location: Palmetto Bay

Palmer Trinity is sometimes described as a Pinecrest school because of its proximity, but its campus is actually at 8001 SW 184th Street in Palmetto Bay.

Alexander Montessori School

Ages/Grades: Toddler through Grade 5
Type: Independent Montessori school
Locations: Multiple South Miami / Palmetto Bay-area campuses

Why families consider Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay: These communities provide access to some of Miami's largest residential lots while remaining close to Gulliver, Palmer Trinity, and several other private-school options.

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Miami Beach Private Schools

Miami Beach has fewer large private K–12 campuses than Coconut Grove or southern Miami-Dade, but several established private schools operate on the Beach.

Lehrman Community Day School

Grades: Preschool–Grade 5
Type: Jewish private day school
Location: Miami Beach

Founded in 1960, Lehrman describes itself as Miami Beach's only pluralistic Jewish day school. Its campus is at 727 Lehrman Drive.

St. Patrick Catholic School

Grades: Kindergarten–Grade 8
Type: Catholic private school
Location: Miami Beach

St. Patrick is located at 3700 Garden Avenue.

Fisher Island Day School

Type: Independent private school
Location: Fisher Island

Fisher Island Day School serves families on and around Fisher Island in an unusually small private-island setting.

Miami Country Day School — Nearby

Miami Country Day should not be described as a Miami Beach school. Its campus is at 601 NE 107th Street in Northeast Miami.

It can still be a practical option for families living in Miami Beach, Surfside, and Bal Harbour.

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Key Biscayne Private Schools

Key Biscayne offers a smaller selection of private schools but has options for younger students through middle school.

St. Agnes Academy

Grades: Pre-K3–Grade 8
Type: Catholic private school
Location: Key Biscayne

Founded in 1973, St. Agnes is a coeducational Catholic school operated under St. Agnes Parish and the Archdiocese of Miami.

Key Biscayne Presbyterian School

Type: Presbyterian private early-education / elementary school
Location: Key Biscayne

Montessori at St. Christopher's By-the-Sea

Type: Montessori/private education
Location: Key Biscayne

Why families consider Key Biscayne: One major advantage is the ability to keep home and school within the same small island community.

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Surfside, Bal Harbour and Bay Harbor Islands Private-School Options

This area requires an important distinction. There are excellent schools nearby, but some schools frequently included in online private-school lists are actually public schools.

Lehrman Community Day School — Nearby

Grades: Preschool–Grade 5
Type: Jewish private school
Location: Miami Beach

Lehrman is immediately south of Surfside and is convenient for many families living in Surfside, Bal Harbour, and Bay Harbor Islands.

Miami Country Day School — Nearby

Type: Independent private school
Location: Northeast Miami

Miami Country Day is another important private-school option for families living in Surfside and Bal Harbour because its campus is across the bay at 601 NE 107th Street.

Important: Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K–8 Center is a Miami-Dade County public school and should not be categorized as a private school.

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Aventura and North Miami Beach Private Schools

Aventura families have access to several significant private-school options in neighboring North Miami Beach.

Scheck Hillel Community School

Grades: Early Childhood–Grade 12
Type: Jewish community private school
Location: North Miami Beach

Scheck Hillel is located at 19000 NE 25th Avenue.

The school offers an Early Childhood-through-Grade-12 educational program that includes college-preparatory academics, STEM and design, arts, athletics, and Jewish education.

Tauber Academy

Type: Jewish early childhood/private education
Area: Aventura / North Miami Beach

Important: Aventura City of Excellence School is a public charter school, not a private school. Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School is also a public Miami-Dade County school.

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Quick Guide: Private Schools by Miami Area

Coconut Grove

• Ransom Everglades
• Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
• St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School
• St. Hugh Catholic School
• Immaculata-La Salle High School

Coral Gables

• St. Philip's Episcopal School
• St. Theresa Catholic School
• St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School
• Riviera Schools
• Gulliver Prep — nearby

Pinecrest / Palmetto Bay

• Gulliver Prep
• Palmer Trinity School
• Alexander Montessori School

Miami Beach

• Lehrman Community Day School
• St. Patrick Catholic School
• Fisher Island Day School

Key Biscayne

• St. Agnes Academy
• Key Biscayne Presbyterian School
• Montessori at St. Christopher's By-the-Sea

Surfside / Bal Harbour / Bay Harbor Islands

• Lehrman Community Day School — nearby
• Miami Country Day School — nearby

Aventura / North Miami Beach

• Scheck Hillel Community School
• Tauber Academy

Choosing a Miami Neighborhood Around a Private School

For families relocating to Miami, school location should be considered alongside the home itself.

A house may technically be only several miles from a school, but Miami's bridges, causeways, and rush-hour traffic can significantly change the daily commute.

Before choosing a property, consider:

• School location: Where is the actual campus your child will attend?
• Grade progression: Does the school continue through middle or high school?
• Commute: What does the drive look like during actual school drop-off and pickup times?
• Admissions: Private-school admission is independent of where you live. Buying nearby does not guarantee admission.
• Tuition and fees: Costs vary significantly by school and grade and can change annually.
• Future housing needs: Families with several children may benefit from choosing a location with access to multiple schools.

Which Miami Neighborhood Has the Most Private-School Options?

There isn't one neighborhood that works for every family.

Coconut Grove and Coral Gables provide exceptional proximity to several long-established independent and religious schools.

Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay offer larger residential properties with convenient access to schools such as Gulliver and Palmer Trinity.

Key Biscayne provides the advantage of island-based schools for younger students.

Miami Beach, Surfside, and Bal Harbour provide a coastal lifestyle while remaining within commuting distance of private schools on Miami Beach and the mainland.

Aventura and North Miami Beach provide particularly strong options for families seeking Jewish private education.

How a Local Real Estate Agent Can Help

Private-school selection and real estate are often closely connected in Miami.

A knowledgeable local agent can help families compare:

• Homes and condos near preferred private schools
• Realistic morning and afternoon commute routes
• Neighborhood lifestyle and housing options
• Alternative neighborhoods that provide access to several schools
• Single-family homes versus condo living

Because private-school admission is not determined by residential zoning, the goal is not to “buy into” a school zone. The goal is to choose a property that makes the family's preferred school options practical.

Final Thoughts for Families Moving to Miami

Miami's private-school landscape is diverse, and the best choice depends on the child's age, educational priorities, admissions, commute, budget, and the lifestyle the family wants outside school.

For many families, the most practical approach is to evaluate the school, neighborhood, commute, and property together.

Looking for your next Miami property?
Contact Miami Realty Solution Group today at 786-361-7289 or visit MiamiRealtySolution.com to explore homes and condos throughout Miami and South Florida.

Miami Realty Solution is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school mentioned in this guide. School information is provided for general informational purposes. Admissions, grades served, programs, tuition, transportation, and policies should be confirmed directly with each school.