7 Private Schools with Strong STEM Programs for Future Engineers and Tech Experts

The term STEM has long become familiar to anyone interested in education — especially when it comes to innovation and educational technologies. But just in case, let’s clarify:

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — an educational model that integrates these four disciplines into a cohesive learning framework. The acronym was introduced by the U.S. National Science Foundation in 2001 and has since become a widely adopted standard in education worldwide.

Today, STEM professionals are among the most in-demand specialists in the global job market. As demand grows, so does the need for STEM-focused education — not just at the university level, but increasingly in secondary and even primary schools.

STEM programs in schools are designed to:

— develop critical thinking and other essential 21st-century skills,

— encourage practical application of knowledge in real-life contexts,

— spark student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math,

— prepare students for in-demand careers in engineering, IT, and related fields.

We’ve selected 7 of the world’s strongest private schools with exceptional STEM programs. Most of them are located in the U.S. — unsurprising, given the country’s foundational role in developing and scaling STEM education. However, top schools in the UK and Australia are catching up fast, and we’ve made sure to include them as well.

The 7 Best Private STEM Schools Worldwide:

1. The Nueva School
2. Stanford Online High School
3. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
4. Harker School
5. Phillips Academy Andover
6. King’s College School
7. Meriden School

1. The Nueva School (USA)

Location: Hillsborough, California, USA

Student age range: PreK–12

The Nueva School is a private, independent school for gifted students, founded in 1967. It is considered one of the top private schools in the U.S. for STEM education. According to the 2025 Niche rankings, it holds the No. 1 spot among America’s best private STEM schools.

Today, Nueva has around 850 students, with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 6:1.

The school follows a project-based learning model, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Students explore a wide range of STEM fields — including computer science, robotics, engineering, and biotechnology — and regularly participate in research-based projects. Outside the classroom, the school offers a variety of STEM-related extracurriculars, such as coding clubs and robotics competitions, allowing students to deepen their interest and engagement in the field.

2. Stanford Online High School (USA)

Location: Redwood City, California, USA

Student age range: 11–18 years old (Grades 7–12)

Stanford Online High School (Stanford OHS) is an elite online school affiliated with Stanford University, established in 2006 to serve exceptionally talented and motivated students from around the world. The academic model is built around a university-style structure: instead of traditional classes, students participate in small, discussion-based seminars where they engage deeply with complex material, learning to reason, argue, and analyze.

STEM disciplines — including science, mathematics, programming, and engineering — are given special emphasis. The school offers both advanced and post-AP courses*, with academic expectations often exceeding those of top brick-and-mortar schools. Admission is highly selective: applicants are evaluated not by age but by their knowledge, critical thinking, and academic interests.

Students take part in various STEM-focused clubs — such as robotics, coding, and biotechnology — and regularly present research projects. Stanford OHS graduates go on to attend leading universities around the world, including Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Oxford, and more.

* AP (Advanced Placement) is a U.S. program offering college-level coursework in high school. Post-AP courses go beyond that level.

3. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (USA)

Location: San Jose, California, USA

Student age range: 11–18 years old (Grades 6–12)

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is a private, academically rigorous school that belongs to the highly regarded BASIS network — one of the most STEM-focused school systems in the U.S. The curriculum is known for its intensity: from the early grades, students study math, natural sciences, and computer science at a level that goes beyond standard expectations.

The school consistently ranks in the top 5 STEM private schools in the U.S., according to the trusted Niche ranking.

In the upper grades, students take a wide range of AP (Advanced Placement) courses, engage in scientific research, and even lead their own independent projects. By graduation, most students complete between 10 and 14 AP exams — far above the national average. The school is especially strong in mathematics, computer science, physics, and engineering.

Classes are small, and many teachers hold PhDs or have backgrounds in academic research. Emphasis is placed on applied science, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking. Graduates are regularly accepted into top-tier universities, including Stanford, MIT, Caltech, and UC Berkeley.

4. The Harker School (USA)

Location: San Jose, California, USA

Student age range: 5–18 years old (Preschool through Grade 12)

The Harker School is a prestigious private school, founded in 1893, and widely recognized for its strength in STEM education. It offers a full K–12 academic program, with a strong academic foundation and rich research environment.

High school students take advanced courses in physics, math, chemistry, biology, programming, and engineering. Hands-on learning is a key part of the curriculum — students build robots, design apps, and participate in science conferences and hackathons. Harker also maintains strong ties with Silicon Valley companies and research institutions; many students complete internships at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and NASA Ames Research Center.

Another hallmark of the school is its focus on extracurricular research. Every year, students present their work at major science fairs, including Regeneron ISEF and the Google Science Fair. The school is equipped with state-of-the-art labs, a Fab Lab, and computer science classrooms that include access to AI tools and virtual reality platforms.

5. Phillips Academy Andover (USA)

Location: Andover, Massachusetts, about 40 km from Boston, USA

Student age range: 14–18 years old (Grades 9–12)

Founded in 1778, Phillips Academy is one of the oldest and most prestigious private boarding schools in the United States. Despite its nearly 250-year history and deep-rooted traditions, Andover is not only keeping pace with newer schools in terms of technology — it's often ahead of them.

The school offers a robust scientific and research-based environment: advanced STEM courses, independent research projects, and access to an on-campus observatory, science museums, and laboratories. Many graduates go on to become leaders in STEM fields and attend top global universities.

Andover’s curriculum includes nearly 300 courses, including a wide selection in science, mathematics, and engineering. The academic model is flexible and extends beyond the standard AP curriculum.

Class sizes are small — averaging around 13 students — and the student-teacher ratio is about 7:1. The school admits students regardless of financial background, covering up to 100% of demonstrated financial need (47% of students receive financial aid).

6. King’s College School (UK)

Location: Wimbledon, southwest London, United Kingdom

Student age range: 7–18 years old (boys only until age 16; girls may enroll in Sixth Form)

Founded in 1829, King’s College School is one of the UK’s top private schools. It is affiliated with King’s College London and consistently ranks among the highest-achieving schools in the country.

In the Sixth Form, students choose between A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB). In 2023, the average IB score was an impressive 41.25 out of 45, and 91% of A-Level grades were A* or A — particularly strong in subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science.

The school boasts state-of-the-art laboratories, engineering workshops, and dedicated STEM spaces equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and CAD tools. Students participate in university-based STEM programs (e.g., UCL and KCL), research internships, and national and international competitions in math, coding, and robotics.

7. Meriden School (Australia)

Location: Strathfield (a suburb of Sydney), New South Wales, Australia

Student age range: 5–18 years old (girls only)

Meriden School is a private girls’ school founded in 1897, currently enrolling around 1,650 students. The school places a strong focus on STEM and gives girls the opportunity to explore engineering, coding, mathematics, robotics, and science using cutting-edge tools and approaches.

In the senior years, students work in a dedicated innovation lab — The Foundry — where they develop projects using 3D printers, CNC machines, VR tools, and professional engineering software. STEM is integrated into the curriculum even in primary and middle school, where students experiment, build robots, and participate in themed hackathons.

Meriden students regularly win prestigious competitions, including the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and RoboCup Junior. The school partners with leading Australian universities and CSIRO (the national science agency), offering students real-world research projects and access to expert mentorship.

Need help navigating your STEM journey?

The specialists at ED-EX.com can guide you through every stage of the admission process — from choosing the right country and school to preparing your application and documents.

You can submit a request in any way that’s convenient for you:

— in your personal account,

— on the page of your selected educational institution,

— or by writing to us at: support@ed-ex.com.