A parent looking for a home in Tenafly was left speechless after receiving the tuition guide from the nearby Dwight-Englewood School. They were surprised to learn that private school tuition could be this high. However, the family ultimately settled not in a private school but in Tenafly's public school district.

There are three main items to check in order: first, school performance; second, tuition structure; and third, the housing market in the neighborhood supporting the school.

Tenafly High School received a score of 9 out of 10 based on GreatSchools ratings. It ranks 17th among New Jersey public high schools on Niche, and 14th in the college preparatory public high school category. Despite being a public school with no tuition, it offers a variety of AP courses. AP allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credit based on their exam scores. This curriculum is one reason why this area is consistently mentioned among Korean parents.

Next door, the Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood is a private school that serves grades K-12. Recent matriculation data shows that 40.58% of graduates attend top 50 colleges in the U.S., and 9.42% were accepted to one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, or MIT (according to d-e.org school profile). Tuition varies by grade, and families must submit financial aid applications by December 15. It's important to first assess whether the cost is worth it rather than just focusing on the amount.

The reason this parent chose Tenafly is relatively straightforward. While public schools have no tuition, their value is already reflected in home prices, leading to the conclusion that, in the long run, the costs are not significantly different from private school tuition. In fact, the median home price in Tenafly is $896,668, and as of March this year, the median sale price has risen to $1.7 million (according to Zillow 2026, Redfin March 2026). In East Hill, properties often exceed $3 million, but in downtown and West Hill, listings start from around $900,000.

The second item to check is narrowing down areas that fit your budget. Even within Tenafly, circumstances can vary greatly depending on the area, so it's efficient to set a budget first and then look for neighborhoods within that range. School assignment boundaries are frequently adjusted, so if you find a property you like, it's wise to verify the assigned school for that address on the school district's website.

Many families also start with renting. However, Tenafly is primarily a single-family home area, so there aren't many rental listings, and competition can be fierce when they do come up. It's good to keep this in mind.

The third item is property taxes. New Jersey has some of the highest property tax rates in the country. For families moving from other states, it's essential to include property taxes as a separate item when calculating monthly housing costs. Tax rates can vary by county and town.

The score of 9 for Tenafly High School from GreatSchools is based on a combination of academic achievement and growth. While this score alone doesn't provide a complete picture of the school, it's rare for a public school with no tuition to achieve such a score. While this metric is useful, it's crucial to verify school assignments based on the specific address.

For families moving from out of state, it's also advisable to include New Jersey auto insurance costs in your budget. New Jersey is known for having high insurance rates, and costs can vary significantly depending on where you live. Considering these living expenses will help you more accurately gauge the actual gap between private school tuition and public school costs.

This article is not investment or legal advice. School assignment boundaries and tax conditions change frequently, so please verify the address directly and consult with a professional before making any agreements.