Photo Courtesy of Pine Crest School
Pine Crest School is considered one of the finest private schools in Fort Lauderdale — and the entire state of Florida. In fact, the school is at the number one spot on Niche's list of the 2019 Best Private Schools in Florida, based on factors like test scores, college data, student-teacher ratio, and student and parent reviews. For more than 80 years, Pine Crest has provided an educational experience rooted in academic rigor and excellence, complemented by outstanding athletics and arts programs. The school has over 2,600 students in PK through 12th grade with an impressive student-teacher ratio of 5 to 1. Pine Crest has two locations, one in Fort Lauderdale and another in Boca Raton. The school was founded in Fort Lauderdale in 1934 and later absorbed the Boca Raton campus, which was originally Boca Raton Academy, in 1987. The Fort Lauderdale campus hosts students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, while the Boca campus serves pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Pine Crest is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, the Florida Council of Independent Schools, and the Florida Kindergarten Council. It has also been named a "Blue Ribbon School" by the United States Department of Education.Photo Courtesy of St. Thomas Aquinas High School
St. Thomas Aquinas High School is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school in Fort Lauderdale. Since its inception in 1936, the school has received national recognition for academic and athletic excellence. St. Thomas Aquinas High School is committed to the philosophy of its namesake, Saint Thomas Aquinas, defining learning as the simultaneous and harmonious developments of the human personality. The school has over 2,100 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. Teachers challenge all students to think critically, embrace state-of-the-art technology, and explore global trends. Plus, the school is designed to help students mature in their faith, as it focuses on morality, social justice, and making a difference in the community and the world. St. Thomas promotes an appreciation for the arts and participation in a wide variety of clubs, cultural events, and athletics. Because of the school's rich history dating back to 1936, there's an overwhelming sense of honoring tradition and the many alumni who attended this legendary school. St. Thomas encourages their students to "honor the past, embrace the present, and envision the future."Photo Courtesy of Justus Martin via Calvary Christian Academy
Calvary Christian Academy is a prestigious Christian school serving pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students in Fort Lauderdale. This relatively new school opened in 2000 and has since garnered attention for their commitment to excellence. Their goal is to engage, encourage and inspire each child — spiritually, academically, and socially. The rich learning environment at Calvary Christian incorporates academics, athletics, arts, science, technology, and leadership in innovative ways. Spirituality is the foundation for all aspects of Calvary Christian. Students will learn foundational elements of the Christian faith through biblical curriculum, discipleship, and service and outreach opportunities. Faith permeates the classroom, where students receive premier education with a well-rounded curriculum, opportunities for specialized study, state-of-the-art facilities, and attentive teaching staff. The school has nearly 2,000 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. And socially, students are encouraged to serve others in love and are able to practice loving and serving others through community involvement and outreach.