Data Analysis
2026 Top Private Feeder Schools
Explore the full list of private high schools leading the nation in Top 25 University placements
By Data Team | Published September 8, 2026 | Updated October 12, 2026
Our 2026 analysis identifies 179 elite private high schools across 36 major U.S. educational markets that successfully place at least 20% of their graduating seniors directly into Top 25 National Universities.
This report pairs rigorous matriculation data with our Elite College Placement Index (ECPI) to map the feeder networks driving elite undergraduate placement. From world-renowned coastal preparatory schools to emerging regional powerhouses, families can explore the exact pipelines defining exceptional educational destinations today.
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The Feeder List: Across 36 surveyed markets, 64 schools qualify as T1 High Yield Feeders (>= 35% T25 placement), while 115 schools operate as T2 Notable Feeders (20%-34% T25 placement).
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The Core Metropolitan Hubs: Six dominant markets—NYC (20), Washington D.C. (20), the SF Bay Area (19), Boston (18), Los Angeles (17), and Chicago (12)—command 59.2% of the entire national list (106 of 179 schools) and 71.9% of all Tier 1 placements (46 of 64). NYC leads all markets in absolute Tier 1 volume (14 schools).
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The Texas Triangle Emerges: Houston and Dallas combine for 9 qualifying programs. St. John's School in Houston (49% T25) and St. Mark's School of Texas in Dallas (44% T25) establish dominant Tier 1 footprints comparable to coastal powerhouses.
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Pacific Northwest & Mountain West Growth: Denver adds Kent Denver and Colorado Academy to a growing mountain cohort, while Seattle maintains 9 qualifying schools led by Lakeside School (45% T25). Single-institution powerhouses like Catlin Gabel School in Portland (21% T25) confirm elite placement pipelines extend far beyond traditional coastal enclaves.
Methodology: Regional ECPI Scaling
ECPI scores are not designed for cross-region or cross-category comparisons. Each regional ranking is scaled relative to the cohort of schools within that specific list (e.g., Seattle Private Schools vs. New York City Private Schools). This isolates local baseline context and regional applicant competition. An ECPI of 110 in Portland or Las Vegas is calibrated to its local index and cannot be directly compared against an ECPI of 110 in Boston or the Bay Area.
National Feeder Network Overview
The 179 qualifying feeder programs demonstrates pronounced geographic consolidation across national placement pipelines. The top six metropolitan areas—New York City, Washington D.C., the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago—encompass 106 qualifying schools (59.2% of the national cohort) and 46 of the 64 Tier 1 institutions (71.9%). This concentration reflects multi-generational endowment strength, rigorous college counseling infrastructures, and deeply entrenched historical pipelines feeding elite university admissions offices.
Institutional dynamics vary substantially among these tier-leading regions. New York City serves as the top area of Tier 1 density, with 14 of its 20 qualifying schools (70.0%) achieving a 35%+ matriculation rate, highlighted by Manhattan day schools that regularly exceed 50% Top 25 placement. Chicago demonstrates another elite conversion model: 8 of its 12 qualifying schools (66.7%) achieve Tier 1 designation, representing the second highest Tier 1 ratio among large metropolitan areas. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay Area (15 Tier 2 schools) and Los Angeles (12 Tier 2 schools) present broader feeder ecosystems characterized by large pools of high-performing independent and parochial institutions funneling consistent 20%–34% cohorts into Top 25 universities.
The national distribution table and interactive map below reflect the complete geographic spread segmented by Tier 1 (>=35%) and Tier 2 (20% - 34%) placement tiers.
| Metropolitan Region | Tier 1 (≥ 35%) | Tier 2 (20-34%) | Total T25 Feeders |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City Area | 14 | 6 | 20 |
| Washington D.C. Area | 8 | 12 | 20 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | 4 | 15 | 19 |
| Boston Area | 7 | 11 | 18 |
| Los Angeles Area | 5 | 12 | 17 |
| Chicago Area | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Seattle Area | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| San Diego Area | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Las Vegas & Nevada Area | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Phoenix Area | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Hawaii | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Portland Area | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Houston Area | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Dallas Area | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Austin Area | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| San Antonio Area | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Denver Area | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Nashville Area | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Detroit Area | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Milwaukee Area | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Philadelphia Area | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Miami Area | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Atlanta Area | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Cleveland Area | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Charleston Area | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Connecticut Area | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| New Jersey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Santa Barbara Area | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Raleigh-Durham Area | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Delaware | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total Across 31 Metros | 64 | 115 | 179 |
New York City Metropolitan Area
The greater New York City region maintains a dense concentration of 20 high-yield independent schools. Manhattan-based institutions specifically, including The Brearley School and Trinity School, Collegiate School and Chapin School, frequently place over 60% of their senior classes into Top 25 National Universities. Explore the full New York City Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Brearley School | 133.34 | 64% | 14% |
| 2 | Pierrepont School | 126.94 | 53% | 14% |
| 3 | The Spence School | 125.64 | 63% | 10% |
| 4 | Trinity School | 124.14 | 62% | 12% |
| 5 | The Chapin School | 116.04 | 54% | 11% |
| 6 | Collegiate School | 115.74 | 56% | 8% |
| 7 | Horace Mann School | 114.44 | 58% | 8% |
| 8 | Saint Ann's School | 112.14 | 48% | 12% |
| 9 | Riverdale Country School | 111.24 | 57% | 7% |
| 10 | The Dalton School | 106.04 | 47% | 7% |
| 11 | Rye Country Day School | 100.14 | 40% | 8% |
| 12 | Newark Academy | 96.74 | 35% | 8% |
| 13 | Regis High School | 96.64 | 35% | 6% |
| 15 | The Pingry School | 92.74 | 39% | 4% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 14 | Ethical Culture Fieldston School | 93.34 | 32% | 8% |
| 16 | Lycée Français de New York | 81.84 | 24% | 4% |
| 17 | The Nightingale-Bamford School | 80.64 | 24% | 4% |
| 18 | Ramaz School | 80.34 | 23% | 2% |
| 19 | Convent of the Sacred Heart | 79.84 | 26% | 2% |
| 20 | Hackley School | 79.24 | 22% | 4% |
Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area
Tying New York City, the District of Columbia and its surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs produce 20 schools passing the 20%. Sidwell Friends School and The Potomac School anchors the region with 45% and 42% Top 25 placement rate. Explore the full Washington D.C. Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Sidwell Friends School | 100.30 | 45% | 20% |
| 2 | The Potomac School | 99.45 | 42% | 6% |
| 3 | BASIS Independent McLean | 94.40 | 48% | 2% |
| 4 | St. Albans School | 91.60 | 38% | 12% |
| 5 | Georgetown Day School | 86.50 | 38% | 14% |
| 7 | Ideaventions Academy | 85.85 | 40% | 10% |
| 9 | Holton-Arms School | 78.60 | 35% | 8% |
| 10 | Washington International School | 76.90 | 35% | 10% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 6 | The Madeira School | 86.40 | 33% | 9% |
| 8 | National Cathedral School | 83.15 | 32% | 8% |
| 11 | Bullis School | 75.25 | 22% | 4% |
| 12 | Maret School | 75.20 | 33% | 6% |
| 13 | Episcopal High School | 74.15 | 28% | 8% |
| 14 | St. Andrew's Episcopal School | 73.70 | 20% | 6% |
| 15 | Georgetown Preparatory School | 68.65 | 25% | 3% |
| 16 | Gonzaga College High School | 66.75 | 20% | 3% |
| 17 | Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart | 66.70 | 25% | 6% |
| 18 | Landon School | 66.00 | 22% | 10% |
| 19 | Georgetown Visitation Preparatory | 65.85 | 26% | 5% |
| 21 | The Langley School | 62.30 | 25% | 6% |
San Francisco Bay Area
In Northern California, 19 independent schools clear the 20% hurdle, led by four Tier 1 schools:The Nueva School, The College Preparatory School, Stanford Online High School, and Harker School. The structural dynamics here reflect regional STEM pipelines alongside national Top 25 matriculation. Explore the full Bay Area Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Nueva School | 122.16 | 45% | 15% |
| 2 | The College Preparatory School | 114.81 | 37% | 16% |
| 3 | Stanford Online High School | 106.11 | 44% | 4% |
| 4 | The Harker School | 98.56 | 41% | 2% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 5 | Crystal Springs Uplands School | 98.16 | 30% | 10% |
| 6 | San Francisco University High School | 93.61 | 31% | 9% |
| 7 | Castilleja School | 92.11 | 34% | 6% |
| 8 | The Branson School | 87.96 | 28% | 7% |
| 9 | Menlo School | 86.21 | 28% | 6% |
| 10 | Lick-Wilmerding High School | 86.06 | 27% | 7% |
| 11 | The Quarry Lane School | 85.56 | 27% | 4% |
| 12 | Head-Royce School | 84.41 | 26% | 6% |
| 13 | Basis Independent Silicon Valley | 79.16 | 24% | 2% |
| 14 | Urban School of San Francisco | 78.91 | 23% | 6% |
| 15 | Khan Lab School | 78.71 | 22% | 5% |
| 16 | Marin Academy | 78.31 | 22% | 6% |
| 17 | BASIS Independent Fremont | 77.81 | 23% | 2% |
| 18 | The Athenian School | 77.66 | 21% | 6% |
| 19 | Sacred Heart Schools Atherton | 72.51 | 20% | 4% |
Boston Metropolitan Area
The Boston ecosystem, heavily populated by historic Elite Boarding and Day schools, lists 18 institutions exceeding the 20%. Seven Tier 1 Schools including the Groton School, Phillips Academy Andover, The Winsor School, Roxbury Latin School, Commonwealth School, lead the region. *Because Deerfield Academy operates within the orbit of the Boston educational market, we utilized the Boston Methodology to evaluate its placement data as well. Explore the full Boston Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Groton School | 119.93 | 48% | 13% |
| 2 | Phillips Academy Andover | 113.18 | 52% | 10% |
| 3 | The Winsor School | 107.53 | 48% | 12% |
| 4 | Roxbury Latin School | 106.48 | 49% | 5% |
| 5 | Noble and Greenough School | 106.33 | 39% | 14% |
| 6 | Commonwealth School | 103.78 | 41% | 16% |
| 7 | Milton Academy | 102.33 | 42% | 12% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 8 | Boston University Academy | 96.63 | 33% | 8% |
| 9 | Concord Academy | 93.48 | 30% | 15% |
| * | Deerfield Academy | 89.45 | 28% | 7% |
| 10 | Middlesex School | 86.38 | 28% | 9% |
| 11 | Buckingham Browne & Nichols | 86.23 | 34% | 8% |
| 12 | Belmont Hill School | 81.58 | 30% | 8% |
| 13 | St. Mark's School | 73.03 | 26% | 7% |
| 14 | The Rivers School | 68.78 | 22% | 6% |
| 16 | The Governor's Academy | 65.43 | 22% | 6% |
| 18 | British International School of Boston | 63.38 | 25% | 2% |
| 19 | St. Sebastian's School | 62.58 | 20% | 4% |
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
In Southern California, 17 independent academies record highly concentrated placements. Historic pipelines from Tier 1 Polytechnic School, Westridge School, Harvard-Westlake School and Marlborough School yield strong regional metrics, anchoring a competitive basin of Top 25 matriculation. Explore the full Los Angeles Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Polytechnic School | 110.99 | 37% | 8% |
| 2 | Westridge School | 110.49 | 47% | 5% |
| 3 | Harvard-Westlake School | 108.79 | 46% | 4% |
| 4 | Marlborough School | 105.74 | 48% | 3% |
| 5 | Flintridge Preparatory School | 102.84 | 36% | 5% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 6 | The Webb Schools | 102.84 | 32% | 7% |
| 7 | Chadwick School | 98.99 | 33% | 5% |
| 8 | Oak Crest Academy - Pomona | 98.24 | 34% | 4% |
| 9 | Windward School | 97.34 | 34% | 4% |
| 10 | Sage Hill School | 92.99 | 30% | 4% |
| 11 | Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences | 92.29 | 25% | 6% |
| 12 | Brentwood School | 88.99 | 30% | 3% |
| 13 | The Archer School for Girls | 86.89 | 28% | 4% |
| 15 | Sierra Canyon School | 80.79 | 22% | 3% |
| 16 | St. Margaret's Episcopal School | 78.34 | 20% | 3% |
| 17 | Loyola High School of Los Angeles | 76.54 | 22% | 2% |
| 18 | TVT Community Day School | 76.44 | 21% | 2% |
Chicago Metropolitan Area
Chicago fields 12 elite placements on this list. While the overall volume of qualifying institutions is smaller than the East Coast hubs, the top-tier institutions like University of Chicago Lab Schools and Francis W. Parker School within this metro perform exceptionally well for T25 metrics. Explore the full Chicago Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | University of Chicago Lab Schools | 118.72 | 48% | 25% |
| 2 | Lake Forest Academy | 114.72 | 45% | 20% |
| 3 | British Intl. School (South Loop) | 110.72 | 43% | 18% |
| 4 | North Shore Country Day | 105.92 | 38% | 18% |
| 5 | Francis W. Parker School | 101.92 | 36% | 16% |
| 6 | Latin School of Chicago | 100.52 | 35% | 18% |
| 7 | Rochelle Zell Jewish High School | 97.82 | 35% | 15% |
| 8 | Lycée Français de Chicago | 95.02 | 35% | 10% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 9 | Roycemore School | 92.72 | 28% | 12% |
| 10 | Saint Ignatius College Prep | 84.42 | 25% | 8% |
| 11 | Morgan Park Academy | 83.52 | 22% | 8% |
| 13 | Benet Academy | 76.92 | 20% | 5% |
Seattle Metropolitan Area
The Seattle private schools deliver impressive academic yield, with 10 institutions meeting the 20% threshold. Lakeside School (45% T25) and The Overlake School (35% T25) headline Tier 1, Eastside Preparatory School lead Tier 2, reinforced by strong independent and parochial college prep pipelines across King and Pierce counties. Explore the full Seattle Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Lakeside School | 110.57 | 45% | 15% |
| 2 | The Overlake School | 109.22 | 35% | 15% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 3 | Eastside Preparatory School | 101.12 | 32% | 10% |
| 4 | University Prep | 93.62 | 22% | 16% |
| 5 | The Bush School | 90.37 | 28% | 18% |
| 7 | Charles Wright Academy | 83.82 | 20% | 10% |
| 8 | Seattle Academy (SAAS) | 82.87 | 22% | 12% |
| 9 | Annie Wright Schools | 81.97 | 25% | 10% |
| 10 | Seattle Preparatory School | 80.87 | 20% | 5% |
| 11 | The Bear Creek School | 80.62 | 22% | 5% |
San Diego Metropolitan Area
In Southern California's coastal San Diego region, 3 institutions qualify for the National Feeder Index. The Bishop's School in La Jolla commands the regional rankings with a remarkable 37% T25 rate, backed by Francis W. Parker School and La Jolla Country Day School. Explore the full San Diego Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Bishop's School | 136.82 | 37% | 7% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 2 | Francis W. Parker School | 116.07 | 23% | 5% |
| 3 | La Jolla Country Day School | 106.62 | 21% | 4% |
Las Vegas & Nevada
In Nevada, 3 institutions qualify as Tier 2 feeders. The Meadows School leads the region with a 28% T25 placement rate, followed by Davidson Academy Online (27%) and Reno's Sage Ridge School (20%). Explore the full Las Vegas & Nevada Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Meadows School | 110.77 | 28% | 4% |
| 2 | Sage Ridge School | 101.77 | 20% | 3% |
| 3 | Davidson Academy Online | 91.17 | 27% | 2% |
Phoenix Metropolitan Area
In Arizona's Valley of the Sun, 2 specialized college preparatory schools clear the 20% mark. Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy and Phoenix Country Day School combine rigorous honors curriculums with outsized national matriculation yields. Explore the full Phoenix Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy | 115.30 | 20% | 8% |
| 2 | Phoenix Country Day School | 103.45 | 23% | 5% |
Hawaii
In Hawaii, Asia Pacific International School on Oahu stands out as the lone institution clearing the 20% barrier, funneling 27% of its senior class into Top 25 National Universities and posting an ECPI of 109.82. Explore the full Hawaii Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Asia Pacific International School | 109.82 | 27% | 6% |
Portland Metropolitan Area
In Oregon, Catlin Gabel School in Southwest Portland represents the state's sole institution crossing the 20% benchmark, recording a 21% T25 placement rate, 9% T15 Liberal Arts placement, and a regional ECPI rating of 110.50. Explore the full Portland Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Catlin Gabel School | 110.50 | 21% | 9% |
Denver Metropolitan Area
In Colorado, two premier independent schools form the foundation of the state’s elite placement pipeline. Kent Denver School and Colorado Academy both clear the 20% mark for Top 25 University yield. Explore the full Denver Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Kent Denver School | 111.79 | 22% | 10% |
| 2 | Colorado Academy | 108.54 | 20% | 12% |
Dallas Metropolitan Area
Dallas generates one of the strongest independent pipelines in the Southern United States, with 4 institutions exceeding the 20% mark. St. Mark's School of Texas commands Tier 1 with an exceptional 44% Top 25 yield, The Hockaday School leads Tier 2 with 32% T25 rate. Explore the full Dallas Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | St. Mark's School of Texas | 130.40 | 44% | 7% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 2 | The Hockaday School | 106.00 | 32% | 4% |
| 3 | Cistercian Preparatory School | 103.30 | 22% | 4% |
| 5 | Greenhill School | 90.90 | 23% | 3% |
Houston Metropolitan Area
Houston top the south in volume, producing 5 qualifying schools, with 3 institutions surpassing the elusive 35% Tier 1 threshold. St. John's School leads Texas statewide with an almost 50% Top 25 matriculation rate. Explore the full Houston Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | St. John's School | 118.94 | 49% | 8% |
| 2 | The Kinkaid School | 108.14 | 35% | 8% |
| 3 | The Awty International School | 102.44 | 35% | 5% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 6 | LIH - Lycée International de Houston | 90.24 | 25% | 5% |
| 18 | The British International School of Houston | 75.04 | 20% | 2% |
Austin Metropolitan Area
In the Texas capital, two robust Episcopal preparatory programs clear the data threshold. St. Stephen's and St. Andrew's both consistently place 20% or more of their graduating cohorts into Top 25 National pipelines. Explore the full Austin Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | St. Stephen's Episcopal School | 106.29 | 26% | 6% |
| 3 | St. Andrew's Episcopal School | 100.49 | 20% | 6% |
San Antonio Metropolitan Area
San Antonio rounds out the Texas corridor with 2 qualifying institutions. Keystone School hits the coveted Tier 1 mark perfectly at 35%, generating a regional best ECPI of 122.63. Explore the full San Antonio Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Keystone School | 122.63 | 35% | 12% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 2 | TMI Episcopal | 108.28 | 22% | 5% |
Nashville Metropolitan Area
In Tennessee, Nashville provides two notable independent prep schools clearing the 20% mark. University School of Nashville and Montgomery Bell Academy both consistently place a significant portion of their graduating cohorts into Top 25 National pipelines. Explore the full Nashville Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | University School of Nashville | 105.82 | 22% | 6% |
| 2 | Montgomery Bell Academy | 105.47 | 21% | 3% |
Detroit Metropolitan Area
In the greater Detroit area, two premier institutions establish strong feeder pipelines. Greenhills School in Ann Arbor and Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills both exceed the 20% Top 25 threshold. Explore the full Detroit Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Greenhills School | 118.76 | 20% | 5% |
| 2 | Detroit Country Day School | 116.41 | 21% | 2% |
Milwaukee Metropolitan Area
In Wisconsin, Brookfield Academy stands out in the Milwaukee region as the singular institution to clear the 20% mark, posting a 22% T25 rate alongside a regional ECPI rating of 122.25. Explore the full Milwaukee Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Brookfield Academy | 122.25 | 22% | 4% |
Philadelphia Metropolitan Area
In the greater Philadelphia area, 5 premier institutions establish strong feeder pipelines. The Lawrenceville School and Germantown Friends School both exceed the 30% Top 25 threshold, followed by The Baldwin School and The Hill School. Explore our full Philadelphia Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Lawrenceville School | 104.99 | 34% | 13% |
| 2 | Germantown Friends School | 101.54 | 34% | 11% |
| 3 | The Baldwin School | 95.69 | 24% | 8% |
| 4 | The Hill School | 94.94 | 26% | 10% |
| 5 | The Episcopal Academy | 89.19 | 22% | 7% |
Miami Metropolitan Area
In South Florida, 8 institutions qualify for our National Feeder Index. Ransom Everglades School in Miami commands the regional rankings with an impressive 53% T25 rate, backed by American Heritage Schools. Explore our full Miami Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Ransom Everglades School | 127.23 | 53% | 7% |
| 2 | American Heritage Schools, Broward Campus | 110.23 | 40% | 3% |
| 3 | American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus | 105.48 | 35% | 3% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 4 | Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale | 99.88 | 31% | 2% |
| 5 | Posnack Jewish Day School | 97.93 | 28% | 2% |
| 6 | Gulliver Preparatory School | 94.73 | 25% | 2% |
| 7 | Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart | 93.23 | 23% | 2% |
| 8 | North Broward Preparatory School | 89.23 | 20% | 1% |
Atlanta Metropolitan Area
In Georgia, Atlanta fields 4 elite placements on this list. The Westminster Schools and Pace Academy lead the regional cohort, consistently placing over 30% of their graduating cohorts into Top 25 National pipelines. Explore our full Atlanta Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Westminster Schools | 104.58 | 32% | 4% |
| 2 | Pace Academy | 100.73 | 30% | 3% |
| 3 | Atlanta International School | 100.58 | 27% | 4% |
| 4 | The Paideia School | 97.53 | 21% | 6% |
Cleveland Metropolitan Area
In Ohio, Cleveland features 3 specialized college preparatory schools clearing the 20% mark. Western Reserve Academy leads the region, combining rigorous honors curriculums with outsized national matriculation yields. All-Girls School Hathaway Brown and all-boys school University School follow closely at 22% and 20%. Explore our full Cleveland Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Western Reserve Academy | 107.29 | 23% | 4% |
| 3 | Hathaway Brown School | 103.04 | 22% | 3% |
| 4 | University School | 99.44 | 20% | 2% |
Charleston Metropolitan Area
In South Carolina, Porter-Gaud School in Charleston represents the state's sole institution crossing the 20% benchmark, recording a 20% T25 placement rate, 8% T15 Liberal Arts placement, and a regional ECPI rating of 108.05. Explore our full Charleston Private Schools rankings for complete regional data.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 2 | Porter-Gaud School | 108.05 | 20% | 8% |
Connecticut Area
In Connecticut, five historic elite independent schools generate powerful matriculation networks that frequently rival or exceed the top private schools in neighboring New York City. The Hotchkiss School and Choate Rosemary Hall lead the region with a 41% T25 yield, matched by Hopkins School with a 39% yield. in Tier 2 we haveLoomis Chaffee School and The Taft School with 31% T25 and strong Ivy+ pipelines. Note that The Pierrepont School is included in the New York City Metropolitan Area ranking.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Hotchkiss School | — | 41% | 9% |
| 2 | Choate Rosemary Hall | — | 41% | 9% |
| 3 | Hopkins School | — | 39% | 7% |
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 4 | Loomis Chaffee School | — | 31% | 8% |
| 5 | The Taft School | — | 31% | 7% |
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, two renowned boarding schools form a dominant elite placement pipeline. Phillips Exeter Academy leads with an exceptional 49% T25 yield, followed closely by St. Paul's School at 38%, heavily competing with the top prep schools in the neighboring Boston market.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Phillips Exeter Academy | — | 49% | 8% |
| 2 | St. Paul's School | — | 38% | 9% |
New Jersey
In New Jersey, The Peddie School distinguishes itself with a formidable Top 25 placement pipeline. With a 28% Top 25 yield, this independent boarding school competes closely with the highest-performing prep schools in the neighboring Philadelphia and New York markets. Note that The Peddie School is not the only New Jersey school to make the list; other New Jersey schools like The Pingry School and The Lawrenceville School are included in the New York City Metropolitan Area ranking and Philadelphia Metropolitan Area ranking.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Peddie School | — | 28% | 7% |
Santa Barbara Area
North of Los Angeles, the Santa Barbara and Ventura region hosts two highly selective boarding and day schools that compete with the best of Southern California. The Cate School and The Thacher School both maintain strong Top 25 placement yields of 31% and 30%, respectively, alongside significant Ivy+ penetration.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 2: Notable Feeders (20% - 34% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | The Cate School | — | 31% | 13% |
| 2 | The Thacher School | — | 30% | 18% |
Raleigh-Durham Area
In North Carolina, Durham Academy anchors the state's independent school pipelines with impressive academic yields. Placing 36% of its graduating cohort into Top 25 National Universities, the school operates as a Tier 1 feeder matching the output of elite peers in nearby Atlanta.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | Durham Academy | — | 36% | 9% |
Delaware
In Delaware, St. Andrew's School distinguishes itself with a formidable Top 25 placement pipeline. With a 36% Top 25 yield and a 26% Ivy+ yield, this independent boarding school competes closely with the highest-performing prep schools in the neighboring D.C. and Philadelphia markets.
| Reg. Rank | School | ECPI | T25 Nat'l % | T15 LAC % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: High Yield (≥ 35% T25 Placement) | ||||
| 1 | St. Andrew's School | — | 36% | 18% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis of the Top 25 National University placement pipelines, here are answers to common questions regarding independent school matriculation.
No, ECPI scores are not designed for cross-region or cross-category comparisons. Each ranking is scaled relative to the other schools *within that specific list* (e.g., "Bay Area Public Schools" or "Seattle Private Schools"). This ensures a fair, apples-to-apples comparison based on local context and competition. A score of 95 in one list is not directly comparable to a 95 in another.
Tier 1 schools are classified as institutions that place 35% or more of their graduating class directly into Top 25 National Universities. Tier 2 institutions are those that place between 20% and 34% of their students into the same competitive cohort.
T15LAC data is provided strictly as supplementary context for families exploring smaller academic environments. However, the primary index and regional tiers featured in this specific report are calculated exclusively based on Top 25 National University matriculation volume.
New York City leads the nation with 14 Tier 1 feeder schools, driven heavily by established Manhattan-based preparatory pipelines that frequently surpass a 50% Top 25 placement rate.
Data is aggregated from our internal Elite College Placement Index (ECPI) datasets, cross-referenced directly with official multi-year senior matriculation profiles published directly by the high schools' college counseling offices.
Methodology & Data Sources
This report evaluates the percentage of graduating classes matriculating directly to Top 25 National Universities. T15LAC metrics are provided for reader context. All ECPI metrics are locally scaled within regional cohorts and should not be compared across different metros. Data is aggregated from internal Chicardgo ECPI datasets and cross reference with figures against official matriculation profiles.
- Chicardgo School Official Methodology
- Data Sources & References
- Explore Regional Private School Hubs & Directories:
Further Reading
The Eight Schools Association and Ten Schools Admission Organization: Billion-Dollar Endowments and the Pipeline to Elite College
Analysis of college placement data across the nation's premier boarding consortiums: the Eight Schools Association (ESA) and the Ten Schools Admission Organization (TSAO).
The Domestic Shift: Analyzing UC Berkeley’s Top In-State Feeder Schools
Highlighting the Top 25 Public and Top 25 Private high schools funneling students into UC Berkeley, with a focus on shifting in-state demographics.
The Southern California Advantage: Analyzing UCLA’s Top Domestic Feeder Schools
Identifying the Top 25 Public and Top 25 Private high schools supplying UCLA's domestic undergraduate cohorts, highlighting regional advantages across California.