About Private School Guide
Find the best educational option—from pre-school through 12th grade—for your child.
This list is part of our larger Private School Guide.
Coed Boarding Schools
Christchurch School
49 Seahorse La., Christchurch, VA, 23031; 804-758-2306
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $27,800 (day students), $68,200 (boarding), $71,500 (international students).
Total number of students: 230.
Mission statement: “Christchurch is an Episcopal co-ed boarding and day school that serves and guides each student in achieving personal excellence in academics and character, preparing them for meaningful lives as engaged citizens and community leaders.”
Also of note: Some 70 percent are enrolled in the boarding program, while 30 percent are day students. According to the school, it has won 25 state athletic championships since 2010. In 2019, its sailboat racing team was the national, Mid-Atlantic, and state champion. The school also offers a Creativity, Research and Entrepreneurship (CRE) Program that “incorporates design thinking into the classroom, presenting students with challenges and asking them to collaborate on solutions, which might include designing new products or improving existing ones.” The CRE Program takes place in the Makerspace classroom, which contains computers, 3D printers, and laser cutters, plus a robotics program. Students interested in performing arts can help produce an original play and learn about scriptwriting, acting, and directing.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Episcopal High School
1200 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA, 22302; 703-933-3000
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $74,900.
Total number of students: 440.
Mission statement: “Guided by its founding principles of honor, academic distinction, spiritual growth, and community, Episcopal High School prepares young people with the intellectual and moral courage to pursue lives of ethical leadership and service as citizens of an increasingly connected world.”
Also of note: All students live full-time at this boarding school, which is divided into eight dorms.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
McDonogh School
8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills, MD, 21117; 410-363-0600
Ages: pre-K–12th grade.
Tuition: ranges from $24,350 (pre-K, day student) to $42,440 (grades 9-12, day student), plus $14,300 for a full year of five-day boarding, grades 9-12.
Total number of students: 1,460.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to provide life-altering educational experiences that inspire personal and intellectual growth.”
Also of note: According to the school’s website, 75 percent of students participate in the five-day boarding program. One offering of note: McDonogh has an equestrian program that includes two indoor arenas and seven nationally certified trainers.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Miller School of Albemarle
1000 Samuel Miller Loop, Charlottesville, VA, 22903; 434-823-4805
Ages: 8th-12th grade.
Tuition: $32,800 (day student), $56,500 (five-day boarding), $63,500 (seven-day boarding), $71,000 (international student).
Total number of students: 255.
Mission statement: “We create opportunities for discovery and reflection by engaging the minds, hands, and hearts of our students.”
Also of note: Miller School curriculum “includes AP course offerings and special programs in applied engineering, humanities, sustainable agriculture, and land management.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Randolph-Macon Academy
200 Academy Dr., Front Royal, VA, 22630; 540-636-5200
Ages: 6th-12th grade.
Tuition: $24,866 (day program), $46,988 (boarding), $56,882 (boarding, international student).
Total number of students: 274.
Mission statement: The motto of this military academy is “Inspire the RISE Within.”
After Randolph-Macon: According to the school, 100 percent of graduates are accepted at a college or university, with an average of $16 million in scholarships awarded to each graduating class, every year.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
St. Anne’s-Belfield School
2132 Ivy Rd., Charlottesville, VA; 434-296-5106
Ages: preschool-12th grade.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 900.
Mission statement: St. Anne’s-Belfield’s founding headmistresses, Mary Hyde DuVal, stated that “we wish our students to become strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul.”
Also of note: Seniors participate in Senior Seminar classes where they research topics such as environmental studies, biotechnology and ethics, and comparative religion. The aim of the seminar is for students to produce final works “that contribute to the betterment of the field of study and the St. Anne’s-Belfield community.” Additionally, a select group of seniors are chosen to work as teachers’ assistants throughout their senior year as a supplement to their senior capstone project.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
West Nottingham Academy
1079 Firetower Rd., Colora, MD, 21917; 410-658-5556
Ages: 9th-12th grade and postgraduates.
Tuition: $20,949 (day student), $52,200 (five-day boarding), $64,075 (seven-day boarding), $74,075 (international boarding).
Total number of students: 120.
Mission statement: “To inspire and educate students to become socially aware leaders and innovators, who positively impact their communities around the world.”
Also of note: The STEM Independent Study Certificate Program offers students the opportunity to engage in science research in on-campus labs. Projects range “from designing your own artificial limbs to growing hydroponics in our biology lab greenhouse.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
All-Girls Boarding Schools
Chatham Hall
800 Chatham Hall Cir., Chatham, VA, 24531; 434-432-2941
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $29,100 (day student), $59,950 (five-day boarding), $69,500 (seven-day boarding), $71,500 (international student).
Total number of students: 120.
Mission statement: “Equipping curious thinkers to lead lives of impact.”
Also of note: Chatham Hall has an equestrian program.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Foxcroft School
22407 Foxhound La., Middleburg, VA, 20117; 540-687-5555
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $53,550 (day student), $75,200 (boarding), $80,200 (international student).
Total number of students: 168.
Mission statement: “Foxcroft’s mission is to help every girl explore her unique voice and to develop the skills, confidence, and courage to share it with the world.”
Also of note: Foxcroft’s 500-acre campus offers students space to hike, horseback ride, and sled.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Garrison Forest School
300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD, 21117; 410-363-1500
Ages: K-12th grade.
Tuition: Day students pay from $20,175 (preschool) to $41,150 (9-12 grade). Boarding: $70,475 (8-12th grade), $78,185 (international students, 8-12 grade).
Total number of students: 527.
Mission: “At Garrison Forest School, we prepare our students in and out of the classroom to thrive in a complex, changing world by: challenging them to strive for academic excellence and to grow into informed, independent and creative thinkers, cultivating an authentic and resilient sense of self, grounded in respect and integrity, creating a diverse and inclusive community built on a spirit of caring, [and] inspiring young women to lead and to serve with passion, purpose and joy.”
Also of note: As part of Garrison Forest’s Women in Science and Engineering program, students have spent over 20,000 hours researching in labs at John Hopkins. Additionally, Garrison Forest has an equestrian program and is one of two high schools in the US with a polo team.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Madeira School
8328 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22102; 703-556-8200
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $58,000 (day student), $74,500 (boarding).
Total number of students: 338.
Mission statement: “Launching women who change the world.”
Also of note: As of 2025, Madeira has a new on-campus equestrian center that the varsity riding team utilizes.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Oldfields School
1500 Glencoe Rd., Sparks Glencoe, MD, 21152; 410-472-4800
Ages: 8th-12th grade.
Tuition: $31,000 (day students), $47,000 (five-day boarding), $59,000 (seven-day boarding).
Total number of students: 25.
Mission statement: “Oldfields School’s mission is to embrace each girl’s authentic self, educate through collaboration, empower the individual voice, and inspire confidence and continual growth, leading to a life of purpose.”
Also of note: Oldfields School offers an Equine Science class that prepares students to study equine or veterinary science in college. It also has a horseback-riding program.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
St. Timothy’s School
8400 Greenspring Ave., Stevenson, MD, 21153; 410-486-7400
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $39,900 (day students), $69,900 (boarding students), $73,900 (English Second Language program students).
Total number of students: 175.
Mission statement: “Since our founding in 1882, St. Timothy’s School has prepared girls for lives of principled leadership by fostering courage, moral focus, intellectual honesty, and the confidence to act responsibly and ethically in all areas of their lives.”
Also of note: Upon enrolling at St. Timothy’s, each student is placed into the Brownie or Spider team. The Brownie-Spider basketball game is a tradition that takes place once every fall.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
All-Boys Boarding Schools
Blue Ridge School
273 Mayo Dr., St. George, VA, 22935; 434-985-2811
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $57,500 (five-day boarding), $68,850 (seven-day boarding).
Total number of students: 170.
Mission statement: “We specifically focus on helping boys reach their potential through personalized, structured, innovative learning practices in a college-preparatory, all-boarding community.”
Also of note: Blue Ridge’s 750-acre campus has trails and places for students to go camping, fishing, and mountain biking. Other campus facilities include rock climbing walls, a high ropes obstacle course, and a zipline. Student-to-teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Fishburne Military School
225 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, VA, 22980; 540-946-7700
Ages: 6th-12th grade.
Tuition: $17,500 (day student), $36,900 (boarding), $42,900 (international student).
Total number of students: n/a.
Mission statement: “To provide each cadet with a sound academic foundation, a healthy mental and physical environment, and leadership training for a better understanding of the obligations of honor, citizenship, and self-discipline.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 12 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Fork Union Military Academy
4744 James Madison Hwy., Fork Union, VA, 23055; 434-842-4243
Ages: 7th-12th grade.
Tuition: $39,950.
Total number of students: 312.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to educate, develop, and inspire young men in a college preparatory, Christian, military environment.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Georgetown Preparatory School
10900 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD, 20852; 301-493-5000
Ages: 9th-12th grades.
Tuition: $46,065 (day student), $75,740 (boarding).
Total number of students: 500.
Mission statement: “Georgetown Prep’s mission is to form men of competence, conscience, courage and compassion; men of faith and men for and with others.”
Also of note: Georgetown Preparatory has its own recording studio that provides students with a space to create music. The music program also includes a rock band and selective singing groups.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 9 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Hargrave Military Academy
200 Military Dr., Chatham, VA, 24531; 434-432-2481
Ages: 7th-12th grade.
Tuition: $18,325 (day student), $46,700 (boarding), $56,700 (international student).
Total number of students: 184.
Mission statement: “Hargrave builds young men into leaders of character prepared for lifelong success.”
Also of note: Campus facilities include an obstacle course, a climbing tower, and a paintball course.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
St. Albans School
Mount St. Alban, Washington DC, 20016; 202-537-6435
Ages: 4th-12th grade.
Tuition: $58,476 (4th-12th grade, day student), $82,436 (9-12 grade, boarding).
Total number of students: 592.
Mission statement: “St. Albans School is an Episcopal school for boys that values character above all else, setting high expectations for its students as it challenges them to think deeply and critically, to work and play with discipline and passion, and to build relationships guided by empathy and kindness.”
Of note: The St. Albans varsity baseball team was the 2025 District of Columbia State Athletic Association champion. Additionally, the class of 2025 graduates included 18 students committed to playing a sport at a university.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 9 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Woodberry Forest School
898 Woodberry Forest Rd., Woodberry Forest, VA, 22989; 540-672-3900
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $69,850.
Total number of students: 392.
Mission: “The purpose of the school is to develop in its students, under Christian principles, a high sense of honor and moral integrity, a deep respect for sound scholarship, a full acceptance of responsibility, a love of excellence, and a will toward personal sacrifice in service to others. It is likewise its mission, based on these ideals, to develop its students into leaders, to train its students toward a useful contribution to the democratic society in which they live, and to give them thorough preparation for the best colleges and universities consistent with their individual potentials.”
Also of note: Students passionate in an area of study can develop a plan to execute a project in that given area. Students must apply for a grant from Woodberry Forest’s endowment program to fund these projects. Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
