The Pingry School

:school: The Pingry School – Overview

:round_pushpin: Basic Information

  • Location: Basking Ridge (Middle & Upper School), with additional campuses in Short Hills (Lower School) and Pottersville
  • Founded: 1861
  • Type: Private, coeducational K–12 day school with experiential learning campus
  • Enrollment: ~1,200 students (270 MS & 571 US; plus ~288 Lower School)
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: ~7:1
  • Average Upper School Class Size: 13–16 students
  • Campus Size: 303 acres across three locations
  • Diversity: ~56% students of color; representation from 84 countries

:money_bag: Tuition & Financial Aid (2024–25)

  • Upper School Tuition: ~$50,000–53,000/year
  • Financial Aid:
    • ~19–25% of students receive need-based aid
    • Average grant ~$35,000–$36,000
    • Aid budget ~$9.5 million
  • Additional Costs: Includes books, supplies, transportation, and tuition assistance funds

:chart_increasing: Admissions & Competitiveness

  • Acceptance Rate: ~12% across grades
  • Application Deadline: Mid-December
  • Requirements: Application, interview, standardized tests (ISEE/SSAT), recommendations

:brain: Academics & College Prep

  • Curriculum: College-preparatory with over 17 AP courses, internships, independent research (IRT), and honor code
  • Standardized Scores: Middle 50% — SAT: 1290–1540 | ACT: 30–34
  • College Matriculation: 100% to four-year colleges; regular admits to Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, UChicago, and more

:white_check_mark: Pros of The Pingry School

  1. Exceptional Academics & College Readiness
  • Strong AP/academic offerings and research opportunities (IRT)
  1. High-Caliber Faculty
  • ~74–78% hold advanced degrees; small-size classes for personalized learning
  1. Robust Financial Aid Program
  • Significant support reducing financial barriers for ~1 in 5 students
  1. Vibrant Community & Culture
  • Active honor code, ~130 student-led clubs, 35 sports, 30+ performing arts events annually
  1. Diverse Student Body
  • Over half students of color; global representation enhances cultural richness
  1. Strong Values & Service Emphasis
  • Focus on honor, character, stewardship, community engagement

:warning: Cons & Considerations

  1. Highly Competitive Admissions
  • Only about 1 in 8 applicants admitted—competitive process
  1. High Cost Without Aid
  • Tuition near $50K; families without aid face full sticker price
  1. Day School Only
  • No boarding; commute may be challenging for some families
  1. Pressure & Workload
  • High expectations academically and socially can be stressful
  1. Large Campus Size
  • Multiple campuses may feel less centralized compared to single-campus schools

:memo: Summary

The Pingry School offers a top-tier K–12 experience, marked by its robust academics, strong faculty, generous financial aid, and inclusive community. It empowers students through rigorous courses, research programs, and a culture of honor and stewardship. Ideal for motivated learners who thrive in a high-performing, values-driven environment. However, its selectivity, cost, and day-only model mean careful consideration is needed for fit and accessibility.