Top Rated Pre-K Through 12 Private School in New Jersey
Every student travels a unique road to success. At Rutgers Prep, it’s our job to help pre-kindergarteners through high-schoolers find the paths that inspire them.
Whether their goals are big and bold, or quiet and personal, the results will amaze you. We are dedicated to helping students become their best selves.
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Inspiring Outcomes Start Here
Small class sizes and individual attention let us get to know your children—their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and dreams—and provide what they need to achieve their goals.
Lower School
The early childhood and elementary years are the best time to lay a foundation for a lifelong love of learning through engaging academics, the encouragement of curiosity, and the celebration of creativity. Our expert Lower School teachers provide a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning from Pre-Kindergarten to Fifth Grade.
Middle School
Our Middle School curriculum is designed with self-discovery and self-awareness at its heart. Diverse course offerings and creative instruction allow students to confidently explore their interests, stepping into the shoes of a Broadcast Journalist, Rocket Engineer, Art Historian, and even Crime Scene Investigator. More importantly, they also take on leadership roles that will set the stage for lifelong success.
Upper School
From day one of 9th grade, students design a personalized four-year plan tailored to their goals and interests–a roadmap to their academic success in the Upper School. In 10th grade, they begin working with a dedicated college counselor who remains a trusted guide through the entire college search process. With 21 AP courses, 60+ student-led clubs, and countless leadership opportunities, our Upper School students graduate with purpose, confidence, and a clear sense of who they are.
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"I searched for the right school to place my 1st grader in for months. I'm really happy I found Rutgers Prep. The school culture and the teachers are so welcoming, my son's experience has been nothing but fantastic."
~RPS Parent
Welcome From Head of School
On behalf of our students, our faculty, our parents, and the thousands of alumni and parents of alumni, we are proud to welcome you to New Jersey’s First Independent School.
Rutgers Prep is, and has always been, a community where people are the priority. The members of our school place a premium on achievement, involvement, and fun. With students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to Seniors in High School, our family supports each other and together we learn and we succeed. The value of a Rutgers Prep education is powerful, because the student develops within a community of peers, sharing aspirations and developing skills and experiences that translate into successful futures. The result is an extraordinary journey with endless destinations.
Our recent Accreditation Report commended us for “creating a learning community and enviable culture of mutual respect and affection where Rutgers Preparatory students celebrate their differences rather than simply tolerating them and view their differences as a welcome source of profound enrichment. More than just a friendly independent school community, Rutgers Preparatory students are fundamentally kind to each other and, moreover, perceive each other as sources of instruction and inspiration regardless of their backgrounds and perspectives. There is no evidence whatsoever of a proverbial ‘cool crowd’ or student cliques invariably present in every teenage community.
There is a palpable atmosphere felt as soon as one steps on the campus. People are friendly; they smile; they say hello; they hold the door; they look at a visitor in the eye to make contact with the soul that resides within.
Rutgers Preparatory School is commended for its accomplishments in developing an exceptionally strong, equitable, just and inclusive community that inspires students to respect others and value diversity.
Rutgers Prep serves as an exceptional model of school community to all NJAIS schools and to all schools in general.”
By the very nature of independence, Independent Schools like Rutgers Prep elect to create their mission and their culture. Ours is a mission to inspire students, a culture of achievement, and a proven track record of college preparation since 1766.
I welcome you to find out more about Rutgers Prep and with hope, welcome you to ultimately join our community and share in our achievements and successes.
Welcome!
Dr. Steven Loy
Head of School
Rutgers Preparatory School, 1992 – present
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Every student travels a unique road to success. At Rutgers Prep, it’s our job to help pre-kindergarteners through high-schoolers find the paths that inspire them.
Our dedicated and inspiring teachers are committed to our students’ intellectual, physical, social, and personal growth.
Committed to Their Craft
Our teachers regularly engage in professional development, ranging from 30-minute webinars to weeklong national conferences with hundreds of attendees. Their commitment to lifelong learning means they are always up-to-date with the current best practices, techniques, and tools needed to prepare their students for an ever-changing world.
Passion Beyond Curriculum
Teaching a subject such as Math or English is the daily task of a teacher, but looking beyond the content and breathing life into the curriculum is a passion. Our educators discover links between academics and creativity, opening doors in our students’ curious minds.
Experts in their Field
The majority of our faculty hold advanced degrees including many with doctoral degrees in their subject matter. They are experts in their field, equipped with the knowledge to create a transformational experience in the classroom.A Caring Community
Our teachers are multidimensional educators – as coaches, advisors, mentors, and friends, they are involved in the lives of their students beyond the classroom.
Inspiring Outcomes for a Lifetime
Where Every Student’s Voice Matters
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"When I first toured the campus I was struck by the sense of community. The student body and faculty/staff were so welcoming and I knew this was the place I wanted my children to attend. My children felt the same way."
~RPS Parent
Inspiring Outcomes
Rutgers Prep provided the best foundation possible for pursuing higher education. Both in undergrad and grad school I felt well prepared and motivated to conduct challenging work whether that be research or writing. I was able to engage with and truly enjoy interesting course material. At RPS, I never felt like I was just learning for a test but instead exploring different subject matters. This made learning something enjoyable rather than a chore. The faculty are passionate about both their subject fields and their belief in students. Going to Rutgers Prep showed me that learning is a lifelong pursuit that goes long beyond the classroom.
I think really truly Prep was a place where no one blended into the shadows. I got to be my truest self and I gained a lot of confidence and was fortunate to get a lot of support in my field of interest and eventual career pathway.
At Rutgers Prep, I learned that I have more interests than I thought I did - going into high school I thought I only liked math. I came out of high school with interests in economics, English and actually I’m a sneaky big Shakespeare fan now. This recognition helped me craft my college schedule to things I loved rather than be boxed in.
Rutgers Prep set a bar. A really high bar. In terms of integrity and completing hard work and focus. We were taught to put your whole heart into your work. No matter what the outcome, if you put your heart into it, you have done the best you can. It is a good way to live life. You don’t feel like you are just going through the motions. Those tools and lessons from RPS carried through college and much of the early part of my career. I feel like many of my high standards were instilled and developed at Prep because I was around so many people who wanted to succeed, and did! Rutgers Prep showed me and my classmates that everyone had the potential to be amazing and excel - and they helped us in that journey.
Any time I talk about my grade school and high school experience I always go back and say RPS trained me so extremely well for what I went on to do in life. When I got to college at Johns Hopkins, I realized Rutgers Prep really gave me the tools to succeed."
College Acceptances
