Ten reasons why Doane Academy is one of Best Private Schools in New Jersey
“I attended Doane Academy from 9th through 12th grade and served as its Student Body President during my senior year. The school helped me learn to step outside of my comfort zone and to interact effectively with students, faculty, and people of all ages. When I graduated in 2025 and matriculated to Penn State's main campus, it was a much bigger environment than I had been used to at Doane. However, the immersive experiences I had in a small preparatory school setting more than made up for any adjustment that needed to be made in dealing with a much larger student body with large classroom numbers.”
– Raegan Portadin '25 - Penn State University
“Our kids attended Doane Academy from seventh grade and they graduated in 2022. Doane has a reputation for academic rigor and we found it to be an atmosphere of both high expectations and support. The teachers and administrators are accessible and dedicated. They treat each child as an individual and teach them the tools they need to succeed. The school is proactive to adapt in a timely manner as the world around us changes. For example, there were major expansions of the technology and science curriculum over the years our children were there. This will serve them well in any field of study or career. Our kids were well-prepared and ready for college."
Steve & Debbie Burke, Parents of Sean (’22) and Kelly (’22)
"Students of all faiths are welcome, and every child is encouraged to embrace who they are while feeling known, valued, and supported."
– Sue - Parent of Sofia ‘28
"Our granddaughter, Tatiana, embraced Doane as an eighth grader in ‘23. From the first moments she walked in the door there was a connection. She had initially toured the school in ‘22 as part of a group. She was hooked then. We held off making a decision. We checked out other schools, but none compared.
Her confidence level has increased tenfold at Doane. Her eyes were opened to a new world through her meeting students from many backgrounds and ethnicities, making strong friendships, working with teams of students in various areas, sharing activities with lower school students, experiencing team building, and traveling to a variety of interesting places. And what a joy to see her participate on the basketball and soccer teams. While she’s not ready for professional sports, she has learned togetherness, rules and regulations, and has enjoyed her participation. We are all pleased with our decision to send Tatiana to Doane."
–Barbara Kolisnyk, Grandparent '27
“The support and encouragement I received by being a lifer at Doane helped prepare me to thrive at a large university like Syracuse, where I have been able to adapt quickly, succeed academically, and become involved in numerous campus organizations, even taking up leadership roles in some.”
– Owen Paglione ‘25 - Syracuse University
"Doane Academy doesn’t just educate, it nurtures. Doane is an experience; it is more than just a place. Doane is where strong relationships, small classes, and a caring culture come together to create something truly special."
- Aimee, Parent,‘28 and ‘32
“First and foremost…Thank you Doane Academy faculty and alumni. You have made it possible for {my daughter} to {attend} your amazing school, and we are so grateful for the assistance!”
– Parent,‘32
"We moved our daughter to Doane Academy in eighth grade. We live in a community in South Jersey with a highly rated school district. Despite this, we felt that our daughter was surviving in school instead of thriving. We wanted her to develop a love and passion for learning, for the sake of knowledge, not simply for doing well on a test.
Doane has afforded her this opportunity.
The Lead Onward classes challenge the students to think about ethics, sustainability, social justice and other important real word topics. The pursuit of knowledge for the sake of knowledge builds future leaders with character and integrity. We all hope that our children will thrive academically, but more importantly, we hope that they will develop into adults who contribute to their community, society and humanity. Doane provides the building blocks to attain these goals."
- Jamie, Parent, ‘23
"At Doane Academy, diversity is a natural and valued part of our community. Located in Burlington, New Jersey, we welcome students and families from local and surrounding areas whose varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthen our school. Our student body is currently composed of 60% students of color, and our faculty and staff reflect the diversity of our scholars. Grounded in our Episcopal foundation, we foster a culture of belonging by creating opportunities for community members to share their heritage, faith traditions, passions, and lived experiences through divisional programming, school-wide celebrations, and smaller affinity or interest-based groups."
– Claudia Buszko - Faith, Culture, & Connection Coordinator
“The Doane Academy team, especially Mrs. Henry, made a daunting process easy and exciting. I am so thankful to the school for backing my decisions and guiding me through it all.”
- Sean Hargrow ‘22 - Yale University
"Attending Doane Academy from 9th through 12th grade helped shape me into both a stronger student and a more well-rounded person. Balancing challenging academics with athletics taught me valuable time-management and discipline skills that made the transition to being a college student-athlete very easy. Doane Academy is a place that provides students with the foundation and opportunities to pursue whatever path they choose in life."
- Cooper Ward '25 King University
"The creative arts programs here at Doane are unlike any other. From the visual to performing arts, teachers are accommodating and highly knowledgeable in their fields and beyond. Studio Incamminati is a major highlight of this school, allowing high schoolers to learn classical drawing skills, used by the old masters, and art history. Here exclusively at Doane, students use professional grade art materials, progressing from charcoal to oil paint. The theatre program also allows for students to be the leaders, with many actors taking charge in blocking their own scenes with help from the directors, and the design crew actively collaborating with actors and developing the set and costumes over the production. As an active member in many of the arts here at Doane, I would say the experience and level of opportunity is unlike any other high school. I am so thankful for what I have been able to learn, see, and use because of Doane."
-Emma Lin Inch ‘27