July 25, 2026 · Choosing a School
Looking for a Non-Religious Private School in South Jersey?
Looking for a Non-Religious Private School in South Jersey?
Plenty of families want what private school offers. Small classes, individual attention, a strong academic program. They just want it without religious teaching as part of the school day. If that is you, you may have already noticed something as you search South Jersey. It can be harder than expected to find.
The local reality
Across Atlantic County, most private schools are faith-based. That is a great fit for families who want a religious education woven through the day. But if you are looking for a non-religious school, one with strong academics and good values but no religious lessons, your list of options is simply shorter. Knowing that up front helps you focus your search instead of sifting through schools that are not what you want.
Highland Academy in Absecon is one of those non-religious, independent options.
What "non-sectarian" actually means
A non-sectarian school, sometimes called secular or independent, is not tied to any religion and does not include religious lessons or worship in its program. That does not mean it has no values. Far from it. It means the school's values come from a shared human foundation of respect, kindness, effort, and responsibility, rather than one faith tradition. Kids of every background are equally at home.
Highland admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin, and welcomes families of every faith and no faith. The focus of the day is academics, character, and community.
What a strong secular school focuses on instead
With no religious lessons in the mix, a non-sectarian school pours its energy into a few things.
The first is academics and how kids learn. At Highland, that means New Jersey Core standards taught through hands-on projects, with ideas from the Theory of Multiple Intelligences and Choice Theory that help us reach every kind of learner. See our curriculum and philosophy.
The second is character and community. Kindness, respect, and responsibility get taught and modeled every day. Those are values every family can share, framed in a way that includes everyone. And the third is an inclusive room, where kids from different backgrounds and beliefs learn side by side. That itself is part of the education.
How to check out a non-sectarian school
Use the same lens you would for any school, plus a couple of extra checks.
Confirm it is truly non-sectarian, not a religious school with a secular label. Ask how the school teaches values and character without a faith framework. A good school will have a clear, thoughtful answer. Look at class size, teacher quality, and results, just like you would anywhere. Our private school checklist covers what to look for, and our guide to finding the best private school in Atlantic County puts it together. And meet the people, since the teachers and staff are the culture. Meet ours.
Want a secular, small-class option near you? Come see Highland Academy in Absecon. Book a tour or call (609) 652-9500. Enrollment is open all year.
Come see for yourself
If you have been looking for strong academics and a warm community without religious lessons, we would love to show your family around. Highland Academy, 51 North Shore Road, Absecon. Book a tour or call (609) 652-9500.
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