Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Lawrenceville School

5.00 (6 reviews)
2500 Main Street Lawrenceville NJ 08648
Tel: (609) 895-2030
www.lawrenceville.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 827 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $82,710
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $68,060
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update
Lawrenceville School Photo #4 - Students learn at a Harkness table, which encourages robust discussion and thoughtful critique of ideas and perspectives.
Lawrenceville School Photo #5 - Students live in Houses (dorms) with their Heads of House, who are faculty in the community. Each House has its own traditions.
Lawrenceville School Photo #6 - Every House has a common room where students can gather, relax, or study.
Lawrenceville School Photo #7 - The Big Red Farm consists of 4 acres of tilled land, 20 acres of pasture, 3 greenhouses, and 1 solar farm.
Lawrenceville School Photo #8 - House Olympics is a tradition in which 10th and 11th grade students compete for their House - and in House colors - in a series of events.
Lawrenceville School Photo #9 - At the Gruss Center for Art and Design, students use technology like 3D printers and laser cutters to achieve their creative ideas.
Lawrenceville School Photo #10 - Lawrenceville offers 34 interscholastic sports and an indoor track and field arena, ice rink, numerous grass and turf fields, and more. In 2024, the Lawrenceville School girls' and boys' squash teams finished second and eighth, respectively, at the 2024 U.S. High School Squash Championships.
Lawrenceville School Photo #11 - Lawrenceville offers 34 interscholastic sports and an indoor track and field arena, ice rink, numerous grass and turf fields, and more. In 2025, USA Lacrosse selected Lawrenceville's varsity lacrosse coach as head coach of the U15 U.S. Youth National Team. The team had consecutive No. 1 finishes in the USA Lacrosse National Boys' rankings in 2023 and 2024.
Lawrenceville School Photo #12 - Campus is across from Main Street, nearby the college town of Princeton, NJ, and a train ride from NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.
Lawrenceville School Photo #13 - Students can visit the Bath House between meals for snacks, house-made beverages, or light meals.
Lawrenceville School Photo #14 - Whether through acting, directing, stage managing, theatrical design, or technical theatre, there are many opportunities to be involved.
Lawrenceville School Photo #15 - Students can perform in various student-led ensembles, and practice ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, modern, and lyrical techniques.
Lawrenceville School Photo #16 - Our vocal and instrumental ensembles provide opportunities for students to learn through performing, building musicianship skills, and working collaboratively in rehearsal. Students may also take advantage of opportunities in private music instruction, student-led groups, and performances.
Lawrenceville School Photo #17 - Visual arts provides a foundation in drawing, design, technical design and fabrication, filmmaking, and studio art, plus elective offerings.
Lawrenceville School Photo #18 - Students open the year with team-building exercises on our ropes course.
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About the School

  • Founded in 1810, The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, N.J. prepares students to lead lives of learning, integrity, and high purpose. A co-educational boarding and day school for grades 9-12, Lawrenceville's mission is to inspire the best in each to seek the best for all. Learn more at www.lawrenceville.org
  • Lawrenceville draws students from around the world and is situated in the heart of cultural influence. From New York City to Washington, D.C., students have enriching exposure to a broad array of people, institutions, and experiences.
  • Through our unique House system, collaborative Harkness approach to teaching and learning, close mentoring relationships, and extensive co-curricular opportunities, we help students to develop high standards of character and scholarship, a passion for learning, and a global perspective.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 827 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $82,710
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $68,060
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Lawrenceville School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 270 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
School Resources
Large financial endowment
School Resources
Highest endowment/student
Selectivity
Low acceptance rates
Offering Breadth
Most sports offered
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores
Student Test Scores
High SSAT scores
Student Test Scores
High ACT scores
School History
Oldest founding date

School Overview

2026 School Data
Lawrenceville School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1810
1906
Campus Size
700 acres
130 acres
School Motto
Our mission is to inspire the best in each to seek the best for all.

Student Body

Enrollment
827 students
319 students
% Students of Color
62%
27%
% International Students
16%
21%
% Students Boarding
70%
65%
Average SAT Score
1455
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
33
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Less than once a month
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
68%
73%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
Accreditations
Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$725 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$82,710
(Tuition listed above includes fees.)
$71,420
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$68,060
(Tuition listed above includes tuition and fees.)
$40,400
% Students on Financial Aid
30%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$58,937
$25,000

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
85%
-
Acceptance Rate
17%
64%
Director of Admissions
Dana Brown
Matt Mulhern
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
25
17
Sports
BaseballBasketball
CrewCross Country
Cross Country RunningDance
DivingFencing
Field HockeyFootball
GolfIce Hockey
LacrosseSoccer
SoftballSquash
SwimmingSwimming and Diving
TennisTrack
Track and FieldVolleyball
Water PoloWinter Track
Wrestling
Colors
Not explicitly mentioned
School Mascot
Larrie the Bulldog

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
6
23
Extracurriculars
Arts and Music Programs:
DanceInstrumental Music
Technical TheatreTheatre
Visual ArtsVocal Music

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
99%
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

    How To Apply:  
  • Lawrenceville accepts the Gateway to Prep School Application. Please refer to the Lawrenceville website to make sure you've submitted all required documents for the Lawrenceville application process:
    • Official School Reports and Transcripts (current and past 2 years)
    • Principal/Counselor Recommendation
    • English Teacher Recommendation (Humanities - English/History/Social Studies/Social Sciences) 
    • Math Teacher Recommendation (STEM - Math/Science/Engineering) 
    • Interview
    • Standardized Testing required
Application Fee:
  • $50 for domestic candidates
  • $100 for international candidates 
  • Domestic candidates please email our office at [email protected] to request an application fee waiver if you are experiencing financial hardship.
    • Please visit our website for further detailed instructions.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Michael Eisner 1960 - Former CEO, The Walt Disney Company
    • Huey Lewis 1967 - Musician/singer
    • Horace Porter 1854 - Brigadier General in Civil War, Medal of Honor Winner, Grant's White House Secretary
    • Jay Carney 1983 - White House Press Secretary
    • Fox Butterfield 1957 - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, The New York Times
    • Joakim Noah 2004 - NBA player, Chicago Bull
    • James Merrill 1943 - Author, The Changing Light at Sandover
    • Bobby Sanguinetti 2006 - NHL player, New York Rangers
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Lawrenceville School cost?
Lawrenceville School's tuition is approximately $82,710 for boarding students and $68,060 for day students.
What schools are Lawrenceville School often compared to?
Lawrenceville School is often viewed alongside schools like Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Lawrenceville School?
The acceptance rate of Lawrenceville School is 17%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%. Lawrenceville School's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Lawrenceville School?
Lawrenceville School famous alumni include: Michael Eisner 1960, Huey Lewis 1967, Horace Porter 1854, Jay Carney 1983, Fox Butterfield 1957, Joakim Noah 2004, James Merrill 1943 and Bobby Sanguinetti 2006.
What sports does Lawrenceville School offer?
Lawrenceville School offers 25 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Winter Track and Wrestling. Lawrenceville School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
Does Lawrenceville School offer a summer program?
Yes, Lawrenceville School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Lawrenceville School's ranking?
Lawrenceville School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large financial endowment, Highest endowment/student, Low acceptance rates, Most sports offered, High average SAT scores, High SSAT scores, High ACT scores and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Lawrenceville School?
The application deadline for Lawrenceville School is Jan. 15.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2018
5.00
University of Pennsylvania
What makes Lawrenceville unique from other boarding schools is definitely its house and harkness method. Harkness is especially unique because it allows for students to everyday engage critically with the text they are reading and. . .

Class of 2018
5.00
New York University
The house system is unique to different boarding schools and the dress code.. . .

Class of 2015
5.00
Bowdoin College
One of the most notable aspects of Lawrenceville is the house system. It is often compared to Harry Potter. After freshman year all students are sorted into the houses they will live in their sophomore. . .
Show more reviews (3 reviews)
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 827 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $82,710
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $68,060
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update
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