The Wardlaw + Hartridge School

What The Wardlaw + Hartridge School does

The Wardlaw+Hartridge School is a private, nonprofit, independent college-preparatory institution serving approximately 470 students from Pre-Kindergarten(3) through Grade 12 on a single 1295 Inman Avenue campus in Edison, New Jersey. The school traces its lineage to two 19th-century Plainfield, NJ schools (The Leal School for Boys, founded 1882, and The Misses Scribner and Newton's School for Girls, founded 1884), which merged in 1976 to form the current coeducational entity. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees led by Board President Dr. Ayesha Sitlani, with day-to-day operations led by Head of School Dr. Corinna Crafton. The student body is highly diverse (75% students of color with no majority group) and includes 50+ international F-1 visa students (~11%) from countries including China, Oman, Albania, Singapore, India, and Nigeria.

The academic offering is organized across four divisions (Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School) and is augmented by 12 Signature Programs (including the Global Scholars Program and the Dalal Entrepreneurship and Technology Program), 20 Advanced Placement courses, 65 Honors and AP sections, a required six-week SEED summer program for incoming international students, and dedicated performing and visual arts programs alongside 35 athletic teams. Core operational technology consists of a Finalsite-hosted website and a SchoolAdmin enrollment management portal; there is no proprietary AI/ML technology, API, or mobile application. The school markets itself through division-specific tours, on-campus and virtual Admission Information Sessions, social media, a Friday electronic newsletter, and a blog maintained by the Director of Communications & Publications.

The school's revenue model is tuition-driven, with annual tuition billed as a subscription across PreK-12, differentiated between domestic and international cohorts (international tuition ranges from $33,200 for Kindergarten to $63,000 for Grades 11-12). Auxiliary revenue streams include door-to-door bus transportation to ~19 surrounding communities (annual fee billed in October with a $200 deposit), after-school ENCORE and EXPLORERS programs (ENCORE at $15/hour drop-in), and facility rentals. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via a formal 8-step admission process (inquiry, application via SchoolAdmin or Standard Application Online, visit/interview, ISEE/SSAT testing, recommendations, optional Clarity financial aid application, March 10 acceptance notification, and enrollment contract). The school applies $6.18 million in need-based financial aid annually, with 48% of families receiving awards averaging $28,084, supporting affordability access across the tuition base.

Name

The Wardlaw + Hartridge School

Legal name

The Wardlaw+Hartridge School

Website

https://whschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Wardlaw+Hartridge School is a private, nonprofit PreK-12 college-preparatory school in Edison, New Jersey, founded in 1882. It serves approximately 470 students with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, 100% college matriculation, and a diverse body that includes international F-1 visa students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Edison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Domestic Tuition: Annual tuition fees charged to domestic students across grade levels PreK through Grade 12, with tuition varying by grade level (PreK 3, Junior K 4, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12).
2. International Student Tuition: Higher annual tuition rates for international F-1 visa students, ranging from $33,200 (Kindergarten) to $63,000 (Grades 11-12), as listed on the international tuition schedule.
3. Transportation Services: Door-to-door bus transportation through a private bus company with fees based on one-way or round trip. Families pay an annual transportation fee billed in October.
4. After School Programs (ENCORE and EXPLORERS): After school enrichment programs: EXPLORERS for PreK-JK-K from 3-5pm included in extended care, and ENCORE for Grades 1-8 from 3-6pm at $15/hour for drop-ins, with discounted hourly packages available.
5. SEED Summer Program: Required six-week summer SEED program for newly enrolled international students, which includes room, board, activities, and summer tuition prior to the regular academic year.
6. Bus Transportation Fee: Annual transportation fee billed to families, with a $200 deposit required at registration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Wardlaw+Hartridge School provides private, coeducational, college-preparatory day education for students in PreK(3) through Grade 12 on its Edison, New Jersey campus, organized into four academic divisions (Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School). The core offering is supplemented by required arts, athletics, college counseling, and 12 signature programs, plus fee-based ancillary services including bus transportation, ENCORE/EXPLORERS after-school enrichment, and the required SEED six-week summer program for incoming international students.

Product overview

The Wardlaw + Hartridge School is a single, unified private K-12 college preparatory institution offering educational programs from PreK(3) through Grade 12. The school provides a comprehensive academic curriculum across four divisions (Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School) integrated with performing arts, visual arts, and athletics programs. Supporting programs include college counseling (100% college matriculation), an international student program with SEED summer preparation, the Global Scholars signature program, and auxiliary services such as EXPLORERS and ENCORE after school programs. The school emphasizes global interconnection, diversity, and preparing students to become 'Pioneering Thinkers.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program Early childhood education for PreK(3), Junior Kindergarten(4), and Kindergarten featuring small classes, differentiated instruction, and hands-on experiential learning to cultivate confidence and academic readiness. Tuition varies by grade level within the 2026-2027 rate sheet.
• Lower School Program Academic program for Grades 1-5 that cultivates joyful learning through nurturing individual interests while expanding developing academic skills and fostering a love of learning.
• Middle School Program Educational program for Grades 6-8 where students embrace individuality, cultivate self-confidence, and discover more of their talents.
• Upper School Program High school program for Grades 9-12 offering a wide range of academic, athletic, and artistic activities through an exciting four-year journey of self-discovery and expression. Includes 20 Advanced Placement courses and 65 Honors & AP classes.
• Performing Arts Program Performing arts program including band, choir, theatrical productions, private music lessons, dance, and the W+H Conservatory Program.
• Visual Arts Program Visual arts program with dedicated art spaces for students to develop talents and explore creativity.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive athletic program with 35 athletic teams offering students opportunities to pursue excellence in sports including soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, baseball, softball, track and field, volleyball, golf, and cheer.
• College Counseling Program Comprehensive college guidance program that guides each student through a process of learning and discovery culminating in admission to colleges that match student interests and strengths, achieving 100% college matriculation.
• International Student Program Program hosting more than 50 international students from China, Oman, Albania, Singapore, India, and Nigeria, offering F-1 visa support, I-20 issuance, and English proficiency requirements including TOEFL minimum scores. Approximately 11% of the total student body.
• SEED Summer Program Required six-week summer program for international students covering room, board, activities, and academic preparation.
• Global Scholars Program Signature program preparing students to lead and succeed in a world of global interconnection, developing global citizens with courage and character.
• Signature Programs 12 signature programs spanning Early Childhood through Upper School that provide additional academic challenge and prepare students to become pioneering thinkers. Includes the Global Scholars Program and the Dalal Entrepreneurship and Technology Program.
• ENCORE After School Program After school program for Grades 1-8 offering homework support, enrichment, and socialization until 6 p.m. at $15/hour for drop-ins with discounted hourly packages available.
• EXPLORERS After School Program After school enrichment program for PreK through Kindergarten students from 3-5 p.m.
• Bus Transportation Service Door-to-door bus transportation through a private bus company with fees based on one-way or round trip, serving communities including Carteret, Colonia, Dunellen, Edison, Fanwood, Fords, Iselin, Linden, New Providence, Piscataway, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Scotch Plains, Short Hills, Springfield, Union, Warren, Westfield, and Woodbridge. Annual fee billed in October with $200 deposit at registration.
• Need-Based Financial Aid Need-based tuition assistance administered through the Clarity application platform; 48% of families receive aid with $6.18 million total annual disbursement and average award of $28,084. Maximum award of 50% of tuition available for Grades K-5; no aid offered for PreK or Junior K.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college matriculation rate
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sage Dining ServicesminorOthersSage Dining Services provides food and dining services for the Wardlaw+Hartridge School community. The partnership is a standard vendor relationship for meal services at independent schools.
• ClaritycoreOthersClarity is the financial aid application platform used by W+H to determine family financial need. Families apply through Clarity to be considered for need-based financial aid. W+H uses Clarity to assess financial obligations and need for tuition assistance.
• Dewar Tuition Refund PlanminorOthersDewar Tuition Refund Plan is an optional tuition insurance/refund program offered by W+H to protect families in case of withdrawal or dismissal. Families may opt into the Dewar plan for an additional fee.

Scale indicators23 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Peddie School: Private coeducational college-prep school in Hightstown, NJ with day and boarding enrollment. Comparable academic profile and selective college outcomes; competes for Central New Jersey families seeking a residential or day option.
• The Pingry School: Private K-12 college preparatory day school with multiple New Jersey campuses (Basking Ridge and Martinsville). Closest in mission, scale, and tuition tier to W+H, serving similar college-prep families in central and northern New Jersey.
• Dwight-Englewood School: Independent coeducational day school serving PreK-12 in Englewood, NJ. Comparable college-prep curriculum, faculty credentials, and selective college outcomes; competes for top private-school families in northern New Jersey.
• Gill St. Bernard's School: Independent PreK-12 day school located in Gladstone, NJ. Similar in size, mission, and tuition positioning to W+H, with comparable college-prep curriculum and a similar mix of athletics and arts programming.
• The Hun School of Princeton: Independent college-preparatory school in Princeton, NJ enrolling grades 6-12 with day and boarding options. Direct competitor for secondary school families in the Princeton-area market, with similar small-class instruction model.
• Ranney School: Independent coeducational day school serving PreK-12 in Tinton Falls, NJ. Comparable scale, tuition tier, and college-prep mission; competes for private school families in the broader New Jersey corridor.
• The Delbarton School: Independent Catholic college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12 in Morristown, NJ. Comparable in academic reputation, selectivity, and tuition tier; competes for college-prep families in northern and central New Jersey.
• The Lawrenceville School: Highly selective private college-preparatory school in Lawrenceville, NJ with both day and boarding programs. While larger and more prestigious, it competes for the same elite college-prep family segment and sets the pricing benchmark W+H must approach.
• Rutgers Preparatory School: Private coeducational day school serving PreK-12 in Somerset, NJ — geographically adjacent to W+H's Edison campus. Directly competes for the same Middlesex County families and runs a similar college-preparatory academic model.
• Princeton Day School: Independent coeducational day school serving PreK-12 in Princeton, NJ. Direct competitor for college-prep families in the greater Princeton/Middlesex County region, with comparable programs, tuition range, and college outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WHRamsAthletics
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZuEL3YbXmVd5WkxW4kDFtg
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/The-Wardlaw-Hartridge-School/193370467389689?ref=bookmarks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/whschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/whschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Wardlaw + Hartridge School