Best Private Schools in Scotland UK
Co-Ed, Boys, Girls
Most Popular Areas
Key Information
There are many senior independent schools in Scotland. These schools offer a mixture of standard UK examinations (i.e. GCSE / A-Level), the Scottish National 5s, and the Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers. Some also offer the IB (International Baccalaureate Diploma) either in place of or alongside A Levels. Some also offer BTEC Level 3 qualifications.
There are also several quality private Prep schools in Scotland - either standalone or linked to their senior siblings. Do visit the school profiles to find out more.
There are 2 independent boys schools in Scotland at high school age, Merchiston Castle School and Stewart's Melville College.
There are 3 independent girls schools in Scotland, St George's School for Girls (Edinburgh), St Margaret's School for Girls Aberdeen and The Mary Erskine School. These offer day and boarding places. Do visit their profiles to learn more.
There are many independent co-ed schools in Scotland. These schools offer day and boarding places, and the senior schools offer a combination of GCSEs, A Levels and IB qualifications.
We have recently begun featuring schools offering Scottish Nationals and Highers/Advanced Highers. Where these results are available, they are quoted as equivalent (to GCSE and A-Level) in terms of the top grade.
There are also outstanding co-ed prep schools in Scotland, with Belhaven Hill School being a prime example.
Best Private Schools in Scotland
Scotland Independent School League Table
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61.5% | Fettes College | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £47,700 | £56,550 |
| =2 | 55% | Merchiston Castle School | Boys | Day, boarding & flexi | £25,920 | £44,082 |
| =2 | 55% | St Leonards School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £12,240 | £36,855 |
| 4 | 50% | Strathallan School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £35,496 | £54,267 |
| 5 | 43% | Glenalmond College | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £21,510 | £36,720 |
| 6 | 38% | Gordonstoun | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £42,300 | £59,790 |
Best Private Schools by GCSE Results
The top performing schools academically for GCSE are (in order):
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61.5% | Fettes College | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £47,700 | £56,550 |
| =2 | 55% | Merchiston Castle School | Boys | Day, boarding & flexi | £25,920 | £44,082 |
| =2 | 55% | St Leonards School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £12,240 | £36,855 |
| 4 | 50% | Strathallan School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £35,496 | £54,267 |
| 5 | 43% | Glenalmond College | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £21,510 | £36,720 |
Best Private Schools by A-Level Results
The top performing schools academically for A-Level are (in order):
| # | A*/A% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45.6% | Fettes College | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £47,700 | £56,550 |
| 2 | 41% | Gordonstoun | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £42,300 | £59,790 |
| 3 | 38% | Merchiston Castle School | Boys | Day, boarding & flexi | £25,920 | £44,082 |
| 4 | 37% | Strathallan School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £35,496 | £54,267 |
| 5 | 14% | Glenalmond College | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £21,510 | £36,720 |
Day & Boarding Fees
Day fees
Boarding Fees
Best Private Boys Schools
Best Private Boys School by GCSE
The top performing boys schools academically for GCSE are (in order):
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55% | Merchiston Castle School | Boys | Day, boarding & flexi | £25,920 | £44,082 |
Best Private Boys School by A-Level
The top performing boys schools academically for A-Level are (in order):
| # | A*/A% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38% | Merchiston Castle School | Boys | Day, boarding & flexi | £25,920 | £44,082 |
Best Co-Ed Schools
Best Co-Ed Schools by GCSE Results
The top performing co-ed schools academically for GCSE are (in order):
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61.5% | Fettes College | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £47,700 | £56,550 |
| 2 | 55% | St Leonards School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £12,240 | £36,855 |
| 3 | 50% | Strathallan School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £35,496 | £54,267 |
| 4 | 43% | Glenalmond College | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £21,510 | £36,720 |
| 5 | 38% | Gordonstoun | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £42,300 | £59,790 |
Best Co-Ed Schools by A-Level Results
The top performing co-ed schools academically for A-Level are (in order):
| # | A*/A% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45.6% | Fettes College | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £47,700 | £56,550 |
| 2 | 41% | Gordonstoun | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £42,300 | £59,790 |
| 3 | 37% | Strathallan School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £35,496 | £54,267 |
| 4 | 14% | Glenalmond College | Co-Ed | Day, boarding & flexi | £21,510 | £36,720 |
Co-Ed School Fees
Day fees
Boarding Fees
Boarding Schools in Scotland
Fettes College
Merchiston Castle School
St Leonards School
Strathallan School
Glenalmond College
Gordonstoun
Scotland Private School Costs (Averages)
