Inside Education Magazine named The Nysmith School Top Private School in the U.S. Discover the mission, joyful culture, expert teachers, small classes, and differentiated curriculum behind Nysmith.
We are deeply grateful to Education Insider Magazine for naming The Nysmith School The Best Private School in the United States. This recognition is particularly meaningful to us. Nearly a decade ago, Nysmith was named one of the Top Ten Schools in the World by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, and this new honor provides a welcome opportunity to reflect on who we are, what we value, and why our program continues to resonate so deeply with families.
While we were not provided with a detailed explanation of the specific criteria used in this selection, we believe the following elements define the Nysmith experience and help explain why our school stands apart.
Our Mission: We make a world-class education a joy-filled experience.
This is a bold statement, and it is intentional. Our mission is not a slogan; it is the foundation upon which we are accredited and the lens through which we evaluate every aspect of our program. We are constantly refining our curriculum and practices by asking a simple but powerful question: What skills will our children need not just for high school, but to be successful and happy for life?
Our Philosophy: We believe that school should be engaging, fun, and joyful.
We minimize needless repetition, both in the classroom and at home. Homework is purposeful and age-appropriate. Families are asked to set aside approximately ten minutes per grade level, four to five times per week. A second grader, for example, should expect about twenty minutes. Most children finish more quickly, and we encourage reading for the remaining time.
We hire teachers who genuinely love children and love what they teach. This may sound like common sense, but the difference is palpable. Visitors frequently remark on the sense of warmth and happiness that permeates our classrooms. There is an unmistakable aura of joy at Nysmith.
Our Teachers: Beginning in kindergarten, children change classes for each subject. This allows us to ensure that every subject is taught by a teacher who both enjoys the age group and has a deep passion for the discipline itself.
Nysmith teachers are often described as “warm and fuzzy,” and we embrace that description. Research consistently shows that when teachers are warm, supportive, and emotionally attuned, children are more willing to participate, take intellectual risks, and engage deeply with learning. With 18 students and two teachers in every class, our faculty has the time to truly know each child and to differentiate instruction in meaningful ways.
At a time when many schools are struggling with widespread educator burnout, Nysmith has not experienced the same exodus from the profession. We make teaching joyful. Our lead teacher compensation is well above the 90th percentile, allowing us to attract and retain exceptional educators. It is not uncommon for retired teachers to return part-time simply because they miss the children and the environment.
With eighteen children and two teachers in each class, we are able to differentiate our program to help every child blossom, academically, socially, and emotionally.
With two teachers in each classroom and intentionally small class sizes, our teachers have the time to nurture each child’s growth. We support organization, social skills, collaboration, and emotional regulation throughout the day, not as add-ons, but as integral parts of learning.
Reading and mathematics instruction routinely accommodates children working up to four grade levels above their current grade. We group children by skill level within their chronological peer group, allowing them to be appropriately challenged without social pressure.
As a result, our upper school includes students studying Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II with Trigonometry, and Pre-calculus simultaneously. In language arts, some students are writing at an 11th or 12th grade level, while others are developing strong, grade-appropriate foundations. Because instruction is individualized and nurturing, this academic range exists without stress or competition.
Our Daily Curriculum:
In addition, students rotate through Physical Education, Music, and Character Education and Communication (SEL).
Changing classes allows children to learn from the teachers best suited to each subject, with the explicit goal of making every class each child’s favorite. This approach fundamentally reshapes how children perceive learning and contributes directly to the joy seen in every classroom. Learn more about our PreK–8 curriculum.
Nysmith is widely recognized for its advanced science program. Because our students enjoy science, we are able to explore it deeply and hands-on, from frog dissections in fourth grade to sheep brains in seventh. Science is presented in a way that is intriguing, accessible, and exciting, fostering confidence and long-term interest.
Technology is woven throughout the program, not isolated in a single class. While not every child needs to become a programmer, all children must understand technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence and learn to use these tools responsibly and creatively. Exposure to a wide range of applications allows different children to discover what sparks their curiosity and passion.
Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through eighth grade, students participate in weekly social-emotional learning classes grounded in the CASEL framework and our school’s core philosophy.
In the early years, children learn to recognize feelings, understand emotions, and communicate kindly and respectfully. As they mature, instruction shifts toward leadership, collaboration, organization, time management, and study skills. These are not optional skills. They are essential for both professional success and personal fulfillment.
With two teachers in every classroom, we are also able to use daily teaching moments to guide social growth and reinforce positive behavior. In a time when children have fewer natural opportunities for social interaction, schools must intentionally teach these skills. We do.
Nysmith is a profoundly diverse community, representing families from around the world. We celebrate all cultures, religions, and traditions. What unites our families is a shared desire for their children to learn deeply, feel safe, and be genuinely happy at school.
AI is already part of our students’ world, and its influence will only grow. We embrace AI thoughtfully, teaching students how to use it responsibly and ethically as a tool rather than a shortcut. Our low student-teacher ratios allow us to ensure that students truly understand their work and are developing authentic skills alongside emerging technologies.
Our mission is to make a world-class education a joy-filled experience. No single document can fully capture what happens at Nysmith each day, but we hope this overview offers insight into why our school was selected as the best in the nation.
We are proud of who we are, but we are never complacent. We are committed to continual growth, to thoughtful change, and above all, to our students.
We warmly invite you to visit. If your child loves learning, is kind and sensitive, and thrives in a nurturing, intellectually vibrant environment, Nysmith may feel as though it was designed just for them. Schedule a Tour!