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. For more coed school options, please see our guides to all-girls schools, all-boys schools, boarding schools, parochial schools, and Montessori schools.
Accotink Academy Preschool
6215 Rolling Rd., Springfield, VA; 703-451-5797
Ages: 3-6 years.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 180.
Mission statement: “At Accotink Academy Preschool, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating and welcoming environment for all children. Our unique programs incorporate a variety of educational best-practices, while always keeping the child’s best interest in mind and allowing for hands-on, experiential learning.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform? No.
Alexandria Country Day School
2400 Russell Rd., Alexandria, VA, 22301; 703-548-4804
Ages: K-8th grade.
Tuition: $36,730 (kindergarten-2nd grade), $38,550 (3rd-5th), $40,850 (6th-8th).
Total number of students: 200.
Mission statement: “Challenge students intellectually; inspire their confidence, curiosity, and creativity; and prepare them to thrive in a diverse and complex world by ensuring that they are independent learners, effective communicators, community minded citizens, and balanced individuals.”
Also of note: The school incorporates service learning into its curriculum. kindergarteners work with Blessings in a Backpack, middle-schoolers work with the Community Food Bank warehouse, third-graders lead a blood drive, and the whole school works together once a year to make 20,000 meals to donate.
Academics: The average class size is 13.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Amazing Life Games Preschool
4300 16th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20011; 202-265-0114
Ages: 2½-5.
Tuition: $14,659 (four days/week from 9 AM–3 PM), $14,884 (five days/week from 9-1), $18,332 (five days/week from 9-3), and $25,203 (five days/week from 9-6).
Total number of students: 35.
Mission: According to the school’s website, “young children learn best through play. At ALG, highly trained teachers support children’s natural inclination for play by providing rich learning opportunities while encouraging independence and social connection. As a cooperative, families contribute their unique experiences and talents to the school by working in the classroom. Children leave ALG as open and eager learners who are ready to embrace, question, and contribute to their community.”
Also of note: The curriculum highlights the importance of play in a child’s learning, and they spend time outside every day. Students frequent Rock Creek Park, which is very close to the school.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 3 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Barnesville School
21830 Peach Tree Rd., Barnesville, MD, 20838; 301-972-0341
Ages: 3-8th grade.
Tuition: $9,025-$24,250 (preschool, tuition varies based on length of school week and school day), $24,250 (kindergarten), $28,825 (lower school), $31,650 (middle school).
Total number of students: 130.
Mission statement: “We are dedicated to providing a joyful and supportive learning environment for the development of excellence in each of us.”
Also of note: Students spend an hour outside each day.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
BASIS Independent McLean
8000 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, VA, 22102; 571-789-2256
Ages: 2 years—12th grade.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 682.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to educate students to the highest international levels with a spiraling liberal arts and sciences curriculum benchmarked to the best education systems in the world. Our advanced curriculum prepares students with the content knowledge, critical thinking, and self-advocacy skills needed to be successful throughout their education and well beyond….We are committed to a joyful learning culture where hard work is celebrated and intellectual pursuits result in extraordinary outcomes.”
After BASIS Independent: According to the school, 56 percent of graduates were accepted into a national top 25 college or university in 2024. The average SAT score for the class of 2024 was 1487.
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Bethesda Community School
7500 Honeywell La., Bethesda, MD, 20814; 301-652-0117
Ages: 2-5 years old.
Tuition: $220-$1,090 (8:30 AM-noon), $320-$1,535 (8:30-1 PM), $405-$2,050 (8:30-3), $595-$2,410 (7-6); tuition varies based on how many days a week a student is enrolled.
Total number of students: 40.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to encourage self-confidence in the children to help them feel secure when approaching developmentally age appropriate new areas of learning and experience. An atmosphere of encouragement and approval in a learning environment is provided. We feel children learn through personal experience and we, therefore, present many open-ended learning situations where children can learn and create at their own developmental rate. The basic learning skills are presented and reinforced through individual, as well as group direction. This prepares the child for future classroom experiences and still gives them the personal contact and approval so necessary for young children.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1 (age 2 years); 8 to 1 (3-5 years).
Uniform? No.
Bethesda Country Day School
5615 Beech Ave., Bethesda, MD, 20814; 301-701-3958
Ages: 2 years-kindergarten.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 150.
Mission: According to the school’s website, “Bethesda Country Day School of Bethesda, MD is committed to providing exceptional daycare and preschool education to children in the North Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Germantown communities and beyond. We’re more than a child care center—we provide a nurturing environment where children thrive.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform? No.
British International School of Washington
2001 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20007; 202-505-6916
Ages: 2-18.
Tuition: $38,164-$45,640 (tuition varies based on grade level).
Total number of students: 550.
Mission: According to the school’s website, “At the British International School of Washington, (BISW), our personalized approach to learning will inspire your child to achieve more. Our school program combines the best international practice, perfected across our family of international schools, with innovative, highly respected curricula to open pathways to the world’s best universities.”
Also of note: The school offers two programs to help students prepare for higher education. The first is the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, and the second is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. “A portfolio that includes certifications from both programs can set students apart from others and demonstrate their academic ability, potential, and commitment to excellence.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 9 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Browne Academy
5917 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, VA, 22310; 703-960-3000
Ages: preschool through 8th grade.
Tuition: $26,416 (preschool), $28,600 (kindergarten-8th grade).
Total number of students: 220.
Mission statement: “Browne Academy is a diverse independent day school committed to developing the whole child through extraordinary teaching, exceptional academic programs, and a nurturing community. We empower students to be critical thinkers, inspired innovators, engaged peers, and ethical leaders prepared with the confidence to thrive in a dynamic world.”
Also of note: The average class size is 12 students.
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Bullis School
10601 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD, 20854; 301-299-8500
Ages: kindergarten-12th grade.
Tuition: $44,950 (kindergarten), $44,950-$50,850 (1st-5th grade), $56,700 (6th-8th grade), $59,280 (9th-12th grade)
Total number of students: 1,020.
Mission statement: “Bullis School provides a rich intellectual experience that inspires students to be critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and impactful global citizens. Our student-centered community embraces diversity, honors integrity, and fosters belonging. Meaningful opportunities in academics, arts, athletics, and service stimulate individual and collective growth and enhance joy.”
Also of note: The school has three Signature Programs: Entrepreneurship; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). Additionally, the Honors Senior Capstone class “allows interested students time and space to design and pursue a unique project in a guided, year-long course of study.” Bullis also values athletic achievement and offers state-of-the-art facilities including: Kline Alumni Stadium, which its soccer, lacrosse, football, field hockey, and track teams use; 12 tennis courts; two gyms; two basketball courts; a wrestling gym; a Strength and Fitness Center; a baseball stadium; and a softball diamond. Its Blair Family Center for the Arts provides spaces for programs such as orchestra, dance, theater, chorus, band, photography, and ceramics.
Traditions: The student body is split into Blue and Gold teams and engages in “friendly competition throughout the year to win the coveted Spirit Cup.”
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform: Yes.
Burgundy Farm Country Day School
3700 Burgundy Rd., Alexandria, VA, 22303; 703-960-3431
Ages: pre-K through 8th grade.
Tuition: $38,147 (pre-K), $39,659 (kindergarten), $41,484 (1st-5th grade), $43,643 (6th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 270.
Mission statement: “Burgundy Farm Country Day School believes that children learn best in an inclusive, creative, and nurturing environment that engages the whole child. Burgundy’s innovative, hands-on approach to education cultivates independent thinking, promotes academic excellence, instills respect for diversity, and teaches responsibility for self, for others, and for the natural world.”
Also of note: The school values learning from experience, with, for example, hands-on experiments in science versus just reading about a concept. Its Center for Wildlife Studies in Cooper’s Cove, West Virginia, is a field-trip destination for students to learn about natural sciences and explore the outdoors.
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Calverton School
300 Calverton School Rd., Huntingtown, MD, 20639; 410-535-0216
Ages: pre-K-12 grade.
Tuition: $9,050-$14,400 (pre-K), $17,630-$23,140 (kindergarten-5th grade), $24,600-$25,220 (6th-8th grade), $26,540 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 320.
Mission statement: “Fostering a culture of respect, high expectations, and shared experiences, The Calverton School instills in students intellectual curiosity, personal responsibility, and a strong work ethic to prepare them for higher education and responsible citizenship in a democratic and global community.”
Also of note: Students in 8th through 12th grades have the option to participate in the residential boarding program. According to a message from Head of School Adrienne Forgette, with the school’s “beautiful 153-acre campus and Chesapeake Bay as a backdrop, your child will have endless opportunities to learn, and experience the world beyond the classroom.” The school also offers academic enrichment programs such as an Extended Essay course that involves around 40 hours of research and a finished essay on a school-approved topic of the student’s choice.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Capitol Hill Day School
210 South Carolina Ave., SE, Washington, DC, 20003; 202-547-2244
Ages: pre-K-8th grade.
Tuition: $40,790 (pre-K–4th grade), $42,860 (5th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 238,
Mission statement: “Capitol Hill Day School deeply engages a diverse community of students in connecting the classroom to the larger world, supporting each child in developing the confidence, compassion, and intellectual capacity to live a life of purpose and value.”
Also of note: The school values “field education” through “authentic experiences that help [students] transfer knowledge gained in the classroom to contexts in the larger world.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Commonwealth Academy
1321 Leslie Ave., Alexandria, VA, 22301; 703-548-6912
Ages: 5th-12thgrade.
Tuition: $47,500.
Total number of students: 160.
Mission statement: “Commonwealth Academy is a college preparatory school that embraces students of average to gifted ability who have ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and mild learning differences. We empower our students to thrive and discover their path to excellence with small class sizes and differentiated instruction in an inclusive caring community.
After Commonwealth: According to the school, 100 percent of graduates who pursue college educations are accepted into college.
Student to teacher ratio: 10 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Concord Hill School
6050 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD, 20815; 301-654-2626
Ages: 3 years-3rd grade.
Tuition: $21,500–$28,500 (pre-primary), $31,000 (primary), $35,250 (kindergarten), $37,000 (1st-3rd grade).
Total number of students: 108.
Mission statement: “Concord Hill School values and cultivates children’s curiosity in the early years of development. Through a dynamic program rooted in nurturing relationships, Concord Hill inspires the personal and academic growth of a community of lifelong learners.”
Also of note: Children in grades first through third have Spanish language class four days a week. Students also take music and dance classes—including learning music theory, studying composers, learning to read music, being exposed to different styles of dance, and learning how to play the recorder. There are field trips to locations such as Seneca Schoolhouse, the Smithsonian, the National Mall, Butler’s Orchard, and Planet Word. The school’s partnership with the KID Museum allows students to “participate in a series of four visits that immerse them in robotics, coding, and engineering.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Congressional School
3229 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church, VA, 22042; 703-533-9711
Ages: 6 weeks—8th grade.
Tuition: $32,000 (early childhood), $30,200 (preschool-pre-K), $33,100 (K-1st grade), $34,600 (2nd-4th grade), $37,200 (5th-7th grade), $38,500 (8th grade).
Total number of students: 480.
Mission statement: “We provide an inspirational and challenging student-centered educational experience within our diverse and supportive community where children question, collaborate, create, and lead.”
Also of note: Congressional has a herd of horses on campus. After school in the fall and spring, students have the opportunity to join the Congressional Riding Academy. The Colts Care program teaches students how to take care of horses.
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Early Childhood Center
100 Welsh Park Dr., Rockville, MD, 20850; 301-424-8065
Ages:2 years-5 years.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: n/a.
Mission: According to the school’s website, “Early Childhood Center (ECC) offers a play-based learning program for children ages 2-5 years old. Families love our small class sizes, low Student-to-teacher ratios, nurturing environment and highly qualified degreed teachers. For over 50 years, we have inspired children to develop a love of learning that will continue to grow with them throughout their lifetime.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform: No.
Edlin School
10742 Sunset Hills Rd., Reston, VA, 20190; 703-438-3990
Ages: 4 years–8th grade.
Tuition: $22,500 (ages 4–5 years), $27,000 (1st-8th grade).
Total number of students: 160.
Mission statement: “Edlin is an academically gifted private K4 through 8th school established in 1989. The school emphasizes a classic curriculum in combination with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), and uses proven methods to create the best learning conditions for gifted students. Our excellent teachers and small class sizes allow a variety of teaching methods. This approach gives each child the academic foundation to learn through their highest learning level. We address the needs of the whole child by creating a nurturing environment that provides physical and artistic opportunities. Our students and programs have been recognized numerous times for outstanding achievements. Students who take full advantage of the Edlin curriculum leave the eighth grade ready for the rigors of the best public and private schools in the Washington, D.C. area and the nation.”
Also of note: Edlin teaches students to grow their understanding of language and communication skills through performing Shakespeare in 4th grade. The school also has several computer science courses including Python, robotics, and 3D printing.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Edmund Burke School
4101 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20008; 202-362-8882
Ages: 6th-12th grade.
Tuition: $49,246 (6th-8th grade), $52,234 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 305.
Mission statement: “Burke consciously brings together students who are different from one another in many ways, actively engages them in their own education, holds them to high expectations, gives them power and responsibility, and supports and advances their growth as skilled and independent thinkers who step forward to make positive contributions to the world in which they live.”
Also of note: The school has “18 display spaces dedicated to 3D and 2D art work.” The school’s “open campus” gives high school students the opportunity to leave and get lunch on their own, or just take a walk with friends. The school makes use of its proximity to Rock Creek Park, where 6th- and 9th-grade science classes take place. And the school’s commitment to civic engagement comes through in a “year-long, integrated civics, equity, and leadership curriculum, grounded in social justice pedagogy.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
The Field School
2301 Foxhall Rd., NW, Washington, DC, 20007; 202-295-5800
Ages: 6th-12th grade.
Tuition: $54,595 (6th-8th grade), $56,235 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 370.
Mission statement: “Students discover their authentic selves and distinctive paths to become empathetic, creative thinkers who act boldly to shape our shared future.”
Also of note: The school offers an extensive support network as children move through school. Students are placed in advisory groups of 10-14 peers, with a faculty member who acts as a “mentor, coach, and advocate.” One component of these groups is social and emotional development. Additionally, there are counselors who offer individual or group sessions, as well as academic support for students with learning differences.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Fairhaven School
17900 Queen Anne Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD, 20774; 301-249-8060
Ages: 5 years-12th grade.
Tuition: $14,200.
Total number of students: n/a.
Mission: According to the school’s website, “At Fairhaven School, we’re committed to supporting students with a unique approach to private education, promoting positive educational experiences and more meaningful learning outcomes.”
Also of note: The school follows the Sudbury Model and is a “true democracy. Students are equal participants in running the school….A weekly School Meeting made up of students and staff vote on all aspects of the school’s operation, from budgeting to staffing to school rules…People learn firsthand what it means to live in a working democracy, with all the freedom and responsibility it entails.” Additionally, “students of different ages interact freely throughout the day, blurring the traditional boundaries of age-based grade levels.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform? No.
Flint Hill School
Hazel Lower School: 10409 Academic Dr., Oakton, VA, 22124. Peterson Middle School: 10900 Oakton Rd., Oakton, VA, 22124. Upper School Campus: 3320 Jermantown Rd., Oakton, VA, 22124; 703-584-2300.
Ages: pre-K–12th grade.
Tuition: $43,120 (pre-K–6th grade), $50,815 (7th-8th grade), $54,775 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 1,045.
Mission statement: “A Flint Hill education focuses on the learner. Within a context of strong relationships, we create developmental experiences that embrace the best practices of traditional and contemporary education. Through continuous growth, we actively and thoughtfully implement the ideas and resources that help each student investigate, create, and communicate collaboratively and effectively in a rapidly changing, interconnected world.”
Also of note: According to the school’s website, Flint Hill has a “1:1 technology program. The school was named an Apple Distinguished School, a designation recognizing outstanding schools and programs worldwide for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. Flint Hill maintains a partnership with Apple, providing Lower School students with iPads and Middle and Upper School students with MacBook Air computers.” Additionally, the school offers 22 innovation programs including robotics, media production, engineering, and cybersecurity.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Geneva Day School
11931 Seven Locks Rd., Potomac, MD, 20854; 301-340-7704
Ages: preschool and kindergarten.
Tuition: $4,940 (two half-day classes a week), $7,410 (three half-day classes a week), $11,050 (five half-day classes a week), $12,000 (three full-day classes a week), $18,338 (full-day classes), $18,700 (kindergarten).
Total number of students: 160.
Mission statement: “Strive to provide a lifelong love of learning and teach the kids the developmental skills that they need to thrive in their future academic years and provide a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment where all students can foster love for play as well as love for learning.”
Also of note: Head of School Daisy Lizama says on the school’s website that “environmental education” is central to Geneva Day’s curriculum, “with an emphasis on conserving and recycling resources, plus lessons about the natural world. Nature and creek walks, as well as visits to farms and nature centers, promote stewardship of the environment.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Georgetown Day School
4200 Davenport St., NW, Washington, DC, 20016
Ages: pre-K-12th grade.
Tuition: $46,620 (pre-K and kindergarten), $50,505 (1st–4th grade), $53,487 (5th-8th grade), $55,881 (9th-11th grade), $56,217 (12th grade).
Total number of students: 1,075.
Mission statement: “Georgetown Day School honors the integrity and worth of each individual within a diverse school community. GDS is dedicated to providing a supportive educational atmosphere in which teachers challenge the intellectual, creative, and physical abilities of our students and foster strength of character and concern for others. From the earliest grades, we encourage our students to wonder, to inquire, and to be self-reliant, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.”
Also of note: According to Stanford’s Challenge Success Survey, GDS is the #1 ranked high school in student sense of belonging. Additionally, “At GDS, we call each other by our first names, signaling that we have access to each other—regardless of our age, title, or station.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
German School (Deutsche Schule)
8617 Chateau Dr., Potomac, MD, 20854; 301-767-3800
Ages: 2 years through 12th grade (German Abitur and Maryland high-school diploma).
Tuition: $20,223–$21,233 (2 year old, 8 AM-1:15 PM), $23,928-$24,928 (2 year old, 8-2:45), $29,967-$30,967 (2 year old, 8-4:45), $16,430-$17,430 (ages 3 and 4, 8-1:15), $20,135-$21,135 (ages 3 and 4, 8-2:15), $26,174-$27,174 (ages 3 and 4, 8-4:45), $24,166-$25,166 (school entry level), $25,418-$26,418 (1st-6th grade), $26,293-$27,293 (7th-12th grade).
Total number of students: approximately 500.
Mission statement: “The German International School Washington D.C. combines the highest standards of German academic excellence with a multicultural environment, inspiring its students to develop into creative, critically thinking, empathetic leaders and engaged global citizens.”
Also of note: The German School offers a bilingual education. Additionally, the school’s FastTrack Program “allows academically strong students up to Grade 5 with little or no German language skills to enroll at GISW.” The German School also values STEM education and “earned the prestigious MINT certification, supported by Germany’s ‘MINT: Creating the Future’ initiative’” in 2018.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Glenelg Country School
12793 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, MD, 21042; 410-531-8600
Ages: 2 years through 12th grade.
Tuition: $15,150 (2-3 years old, 7:30 AM–12:30 PM, nine months a year), $23,740 (2-3 years old, 7:30-6:00 PM, nine months a year), $18,950 (2-3 years old, 7:30-12:30, 12 months a year), $29,600 (2-3 years, 7:30–6, 12 months a year), $26,200 (pre-K), $29,200 (kindergarten), $32,250 (1st-4th grade), $34,520 (5th grade), $34,520 (6th-7th grade), $35,560 (8th grade), $37,620 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 815.
Mission statement: “At Glenelg Country School, our mission is to cultivate a diverse community of learners who discover, contribute, thrive, and excel.”
Also of note: Glenelg Country offers “over 400 computers on campus with network, Internet and SMART Board access, more than 45 online subscription research resources, innovative educational software in music, world languages, filmmaking and more, and six computer labs.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Grasshopper Green and Kenwood Schools
4955 Sunset La., Annandale, VA; 703-256-4711
Ages: 2 years—6th grade.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 150.
Of note: Grasshopper Green has a three-acre playground.
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Green Acres School
11701 Danville Dr., North Bethesda, MD, 20852; 301-881-4100
Ages: pre-K through 8th grade.
Tuition: $30,500 (pre-K), $37,400 (kindergarten), $41,400 (1st grade), $43,500 (2nd-4th grade), $44,750 (5th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 112.
Mission statement: “Green Acres School challenges and inspires students to live and learn with intellect, curiosity, determination, joy, and compassion.”
Also of note: Green Acres values parent involvement with the school community. “Staff, parents, guardians, and trustees are voting members of the school, which is a nonprofit corporation. We involve parents as partners in our students’ education and invite families to contribute their talents, resources, and points of view in support of our mission.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Green Hedges School
415 Windover Ave., NW, Vienna, VA, 22180; 703-938-8323
Ages: 1st-8th grade.
Tuition: $21,906 (2 year old, half day), $30,834 (2 year old, full day), $20,924 (ages 3 and 4, half day), $29,570 (ages 3 and 4, full day), $32,748 (kindergarten), $35,177 (1st-3rd grade), $38,333 (4th-5th grade), $39,683 (6th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 185.
Mission: “We inspire young people of talent and promise to develop clear values, a desire for wisdom, and an appreciation for all endeavors which broaden the mind and enlighten the spirit.”
Also of note: Green Hedges values hands-on experience, so the “youngest students tend a garden on campus. Older students go on overnight trips learning the farm-to-table food cycle or about Chesapeake Bay ecology. Each Middle School grade explores an East Coast city, and optional Spring Break trips take students to Canada, Belize, and Costa Rica.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Gunston School
911 Gunston Rd., Centreville, MD, 21617; 410-758-0620
Ages: 9th-12th grade.
Tuition: $30,950.
Total number of students: 248.
Mission statement: “The Gunston School offers an intellectually rigorous, highly personalized, and nurturing college preparatory educational experience. Valuing a healthy balance between mind and body, a strong sense of community, the creative process, and our connection to the Chesapeake Bay, Gunston strives to educate ethically and environmentally minded scholars, citizens, and leaders for our globalized society.”
Also of note: International students make up about 11 percent of the student body.
Traditions: Traditions at Gunston include Night of the Arts, an event where students showcase their artistic talents and creations from the year, and “In Celebration of Books,” a full day of workshops and readings that brings in professional writers.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 9 to 1.
Uniform? No.
GW Community School
9001 Braddock Rd., Suite 111, Springfield, VA, 22151; 703-978-7208
Ages: 8th-12th grade.
Tuition: $31,328.
Total number of students: 40.
Mission statement: “The GW Community School embodies a vision shared by teachers, parents, and students: A school committed to developing and optimizing the giftedness and intelligence of each student; allowing each student to connect with their school, their world, and themselves.”
After GW Community School: On average, every year “approximately 85% – 90% of our students continue on to a four-year college and the remaining 10%-15% start off at a two-year community college or technical school.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Harbor School
115510 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD, 20854; 301-365-1100
Ages: 2 years–3rd grade.
Tuition: $18,500 (half-day preschool), $27,700 (full-day preschool), $32,200 (pre-K–kindergarten), $34,500 (1st-3rd grade).
Total number of students: 79.
Mission statement: “The Harbor School embraces the uniqueness of each young child and teaches students to celebrate this in themselves and in each other. Our holistic approach nurtures confident, kind, and capable learners.”
Also of note: At the Harbor School, “we believe that social learning is just as important as academic learning and that children learn best when they feel known and understood by their teachers and peers. Each class, from Preschool to 3rd Grade, starts their day with a Morning Meeting that sets the tone for the rest of the day.” Additionally, “the entire school community gathers regularly for an All School Meeting where, led by Ms. Musico, we sing, we celebrate birthdays and accomplishments, and classes have the opportunity to share and interact.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 9 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Highland School
597 Broadview Ave., Warrenton, VA; 540-878-2700
Ages: 2 years—12th grade.
Tuition: $7,600–$12,240 (age 2-3 years, three days a week), $10,200-$16,300 (age 2-3 years, five days a week), $7,650-$12,290 (age 3-4 years, three days a week), $10,500-$16,300 (age 3-4 years, five days a week), $13,500-$16,500 (age 4-5 years, five days a week), $24,500 (kindergarten), $28,500 (1st-4th grade), $33,900 (5th-8th grade), $37,900 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 510.
Mission statement: “Highland School prepares students to thrive, lead and serve in a diverse and dynamic world, developing essential skills and character by challenging them with a demanding academic and co-curricular program.”
Also of note: According to Highland, its Upper School offers 15 honors courses and 16 Advanced Placement classes. Additionally, there are academic programs in areas such as leadership, global studies, pre-engineering, the arts, and social entrepreneurship.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Hill School
130 S. Madison St., Middleburg, VA, 20117; 540-687-5897
Ages: junior kindergarten-8th grade.
Tuition: $20,200 (junior kindergarten), $23,700 (kindergarten), $31,600 (1st-2nd grade), $33,200 (3rd-5th grade), $34,200 (6th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 240.
Mission statement: “The goal of a Hill School education is to build character, self-confidence, and scholarship through academic and co-curricular excellence, individualized attention, and a strong sense of community.”
Also of note: The Hill School connects upper and lower school students through a mentoring program that meets weekly.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Hunter Mill Country Day School
2021 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna, VA; 703-281-4422
Ages: 2 years—12 years.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: n/a.
Of note: According to the school’s website, “HMCDS is recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a certified Schoolyard Habitat. This program provides a unique opportunity for the teachers and children at HMCDS to engage in a wide variety of creative, hands-on, outdoor projects.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform? n/a.
Indian Creek School
1130 Anne Chambers Way, Crownsville, MD, 21032; 410-923-3660
Ages: 3 years—12th grade.
Tuition: $23,550 (pre-K—kindergarten), $28,000 (1st–5th grade), $32,850 (6th-8th grade), $33,750 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 560.
Mission statement: “Indian Creek School inspires authenticity, connection, and curiosity so every student can pursue their full potential in scholarship and in life.”
Also of note: For high school students, the Evergreen Institute program aims to create “growth through workshops, collaborative learning, and leadership development, complemented by life coaching coursework and certification.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Key School
534 Hillsmere Dr., Annapolis, MD; 410-263-9231
Ages: preschool-12th grade.
Tuition: $10,305 (preschool, three days, 8 AM-noon), $13,270 (preschool, three days, 8 AM-3:10 PM), $17,175 (preschool, 5 days, 8-noon), $19,155–$22,120 (preschool, 5 days, 8-noon, with two to five days extended to 3:10 PM), $17,175–$22,120 (pre-K,), $22,645 (kindergarten), $30,175 (1st-4th grade), $33,390 (5th-8th grade), $35,220 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 645.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to nourish and guide this natural exuberance, energy, and delight in the search for meaning, so that each student embraces lifelong learning and develops into an informed, thoughtful and constructive member of society.”
Also of note: Key has a strong athletic program. Between 2019 and 2023, 167 Key athletes won All-Country or All-State awards, and Key earned 21 league championships. Some 80 percent of the study body plays a sport, according to the school. Key also values outdoor education; Upper School students log over 100 hours of outdoor education during their time at Key.
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Kiddie Country Developmental Learning Center
9601 Old Keene Mill Rd., Burke, VA, 22015; 703-644-0066
Ages: 2–5 years.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 150.
Mission: “Kiddie Country Learning Center excels at providing children with a holistic education that targets their five most crucial developmental areas: intellectual, emotional, social, creative, and physical.By addressing these five areas, we give children a solid foundation that strengthens their mind, body, and social skills. Our goal each day is to empower children with the tools they need to create their own bright futures.”
Also of note: According to the school’s website, Kidde Country has “a music director who introduces the children to a wide variety of music. This is accomplished through enriching, fun experiences that include singing, movement, and experience with rhythm instruments. Music classes are conducted in a specially designed and equipped music classroom.”
Student to teacher ratio: 12 to 1.
Uniform? No.
KinderHaus of Chevy Chase
3400 Lowell St., NW, Washington DC, 20016; 202-686-3570
Ages: 2 months—5 years old.
Tuition: $2,950 (age 2 months–2 years and 5 months, five days a week), $1,770 (age 2 months-2 years and 5 months, three days a week), $1,180 (age 2 months–2 years and 5 months, two days a week), $2,550 (age 2 years 6 months–5 years old, five days a week), $1,530 (age 2 years 6 months-5 years old, three days a week), $1,020 (age 2 years 6 months–5 years old, two days a week).
Total number of students: 150.
Of note: KinderHaus has a new playground as of 2025. Additionally, KinderHaus is dedicated to community service and partakes in events such as a “Walk for the Homeless” and has a tiny library that is open to the community to borrow books.
Student to teacher ratio: 12 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Lake Anne Nursery kindergarten
12021 N. Shore Dr., Reston, VA, 20190; 703-437-0035
Ages: 2-6 years.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 100.
Mission: “Our school is committed to play-based learning because of the joy it affords our young learners….Children are encouraged to ask questions, problem solve and explore the environment using their senses. Our wooded surrounding lends itself to hands-on learning as children explore the life cycle of trees, observe birds in their natural habitat, and collect acorns with glee! STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) is emphasized as it encourages creative thinking, imagination, and playfulness.”
Student to teacher ratio: age 2 years: 5 to 1, ages 3-6: 9 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Langley School
1411 Balls Hill Rd., McLean, VA, 22101; 703-356-1920
Ages: preschool-8th grade.
Tuition: $23,990 (preschool), $31,500 (pre-K), $41,960 (kindergarten), $45,750 (1st-5th grade), $48,930 (6th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 520.
Mission statement: “The Langley School fosters purposeful inquiry-based and social-emotional learning for children in preschool through grade 8 in a joyful, connected community. We empower all students as curious, confident, and resilient leaders, thinkers, and creators.”
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Loudoun Country Day School
20600 Red Cedar Dr., Leesburg, VA, 20175; 703-777-3841
Ages: 3 years–8th grade.
Tuition: $10,900 (preschool, four days a week), $15,700 (pre-K, half days), $19,100 (pre-K, full days), $25,450 (kindergarten), $32,250 (1st-2nd grade), $33,335 (3rd-5th grade), $33,890 (6th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 357.
Mission statement: “We inspire students to become lifelong learners, to think critically and creatively, and to lead with courage, compassion, and character.”
Also of note: Each year, Loudon Country Day offers over 70 field trips for its students.
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1 (pre-K—5th grade); 14 to 1 (6th—8th grade).
Uniform? Yes.
Lowell School
1640 Kalmia Rd., NW, Washington, DC, 20012; 202-577-2000
Ages: pre-K—8th grade.
Tuition: $44,500 (pre-primary school), $51,000 (kindergarten–5th grade), $54,000 (6th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 320.
Mission statement: “Lowell School equips children to think critically, engage purposefully, and live authentically.”
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Maret School
3000 Cathedral Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20008; 202-939-8800
Ages: kindergarten–12th grade.
Tuition: $46,570 (kindergarten–4th grade), $50,445 (5th-8th grade), $53,545 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 650.
Mission statement: “Maret is a vibrant, K–12 independent school in Washington, DC. We ignite our students’ potential; foster their academic, artistic, and athletic talents; and promote their well-being. We develop the mind, nurture curiosity, welcome challenge, embrace joy, and build community that is equitable and inclusive.”
Also of note: Maret builds community engagement into the K-12 curriculum. For instance, “in the seventh-grade community engagement program, students form Stream Teams to work off campus in partnership with the Rock Creek Conservancy. The project is tied to their yearlong study of clean water and global water shortages and is reinforced by advocacy writing, active labs exploring the importance of biodiversity, and the seventh grade trip to Mountainside Camp.”
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
McDonogh School
8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills, MD, 21117; 410-363-0600
Ages: pre-K—12th grade.
Tuition: $24,350 (pre-K), $35,100 (kindergarten), $38,100 (1st-4th grade), $40,250 (5th-8th grade), $42,440 (9th-12th grade).
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: Upper school students have the option to board at McDonogh. Another highlight: The equestrian program, which includes two indoor arenas and seven nationally certified trainers.
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
McLean Country Day School
6418 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22101; 703-356-4282
Ages: 2 years–kindergarten.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 13.
Mission statement: “The Country Day School is dedicated to the education of young children in a warm and safe environment where they are encouraged to explore, discover, ask questions, and develop a love of learning. The school believes that this is best accomplished when faculty, administration, and parents work closely together in a partnership throughout a child’s tenure at the school.”
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
McLean School of Maryland
Falls Road Campus (kindergarten–4th grade): 11810 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD, 20854; 301-635-6710. Lochinver Lane Campus (5th-12th grade): 8224 Lochinver Ln., Potomac, MD, 20854; 301-299-8277.
Ages: K-12th grade.
Tuition: $48,000 (K–1st grade), $53,000 (2nd–4th grade), $58,900 (5th–8th grade), $59,400 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 720.
Mission: “At McLean School, we understand students first for what they can do, not for what they can’t do. This abilities-driven approach enables bright students, including those with dyslexia, anxiety, ADHD, or organizational challenges to be successful in and out of the classroom. Since 1954, we have helped students realize their full potential with a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum that is traditional without being rigid, challenging without being intimidating, and designed with the real world in mind. At McLean, we believe in our students.”
Also of note: According to the school’s website, 91 percent of parents reported that their child’s self-esteem increased after attending McLean.
Student to teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Merritt Academy
9211 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA, 22031; 703-436-4101
Ages: infant–8th grade.
Tuition: $30,588 (infants), $28,740 (toddlers), $27,468 (age 2 years), $26,256 (age 3-4 years), $23,980—$26,350 (kindergarten–8th grade).
Total number of students: 428.
Mission: “Merritt Academy provides a caring learning environment and educates infants through eighth grade students at our seven-acre campus located in Fairfax, Virginia. We provide an expansive yet intimate learning environment ideal for our dedication to multiple levels of education.”
Student to teacher ratio: 4 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 students), $56,500 (five-day boarding), $63,500 (seven-day boarding), $71,000 (international boarding).
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.
Mysa School
1500 Harvard St., NW, Washington, DC, 20009; 301-915-0955
Ages: kindergarten–8th grade.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 40.
Of note: Rather than grouping students by age, Mysa moves students through the curriculum based on their grasp of the subject matter in relation to the national standard.
Student to teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
National Child Research Center
3209 Highland Pl., NW, Washington, DC, 20008; 202-363-8777
Ages: 2-5 years.
Tuition: $22,995 (AM or PM half-day), $26,405 (morning plus, half-day program), $25,945 (early beginnings, morning program), $29,360 (early beginnings and morning plus), $41,270 (full day), $41,940 (full day and early beginnings).
Total number of students: 170.
Mission statement: “National Child Research Center nurtures the whole child—socially, emotionally, and intellectually—toward a lifelong love of learning. Informed by current research and continuing education, NCRC’s exceptional faculty guide each student’s unique development through a play-based, child-centered curriculum in a diverse, family-focused community, with a commitment to the inclusion of children who benefit from additional support and adaptations.”
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Nora School
955 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, MD, 20910; 301-495-6672
Ages: 9th-12th grades.
Tuition: $38,900.
Total number of students: 67.
Mission: “We are a progressive, socially conscious, college preparatory high school that is small by design, academically and emotionally supportive, and community oriented. We provide an inspiring space for a diverse group of students and teachers to grow. Together, we: foster intellectual and inquiring learners, discover our unique identity and place in the world, develop social awareness that impels us to action, [and] prepare for college and for life.”
Also of note: “Nora prides itself on its unique, seminar-style classes—discussions are easy with classes of less than 12 students.” Additionally, “We take ten days of our school year to take a deeper dive into our collective passions, from filmmaking to urban studies, from Chinese brush painting to cooking class, from quilting to agricultural studies. The center piece to our Social Justice Program happens during this time too. We travel to follow the history (and present) of Civil Rights in the Deep South or of Native American Relations in the Great Plains (depending on the year).”
Student to teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Norwood School
8821 River Rd., Bethesda, MD, 20817; 301-365-2595
Ages: pre-K—8th grade.
Tuition: $35,600 (pre-K), $40,800 (kindergarten), $42,370 (1st-2nd grade), $44,380 (3rd-4th grade), $46,950 (5th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 450.
Mission statement: “Norwood School’s child-centered program inspires confident, compassionate, independent, and creative thinkers who embrace lifelong learning.”
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Potomac Glen Day School
9908 S. Glen Rd., Potomac, MD, 20854; 301-299-9193
Ages: 2 years—kindergarten.
Tuition: $11,088 (half day, 7:30 AM—12:15 PM, five days a week), $6,795 (half day, 7:30—12:15, three days a week), $4,653 (half day, 7:30—12:15, two days a week), $18,882 (full day, 7:30—3:30, five days a week), $11,628 (full day, 7:30—3:30, three days a week), $7,938 (full day, 7:30—3:30, two days a week), $15,750 (three full days and two half days a week), $13,599 (two full days and three half days a week).
Total number of students: 130.
Mission: “We provide a sound, safe and secure environment that will enable the child to develop both educational and social skills, promote self-concept, and encourage a sense of responsibility and an increasing sense of independence.”
Student to teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform? No.
Primary Day School
7300 River Rd., Bethesda, MD, 20817; 301-365-4355
Ages: pre-K—2nd grade.
Tuition: $32,600 (pre-K), $36,100 (kindergarten—2nd grade).
Total number of students: 146.
Mission statement: “In a warm, embracing community where each child is known and understood, our rich, engaging curriculum is distinguished by academic excellence and designed to inspire curiosity, nurture young hearts and minds, and build strength of character. At Primary Day, we guide our students on their journey to a lasting appreciation of learning and exploration. This is who we are.”
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Rochambeau, the French International School
Maplewood Campus: age 2 years–5th grade; 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20814; 301-530-8260. Forest Road Campus: 6th-12th grade; 9600 Forest Rd., Bethesda, MD, 20814; 301-530-8260.
Ages: .2 years—12th grade.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 1,268.
Mission statement: “Rochambeau fosters excellence through rigorous, accredited French and International curricula. The school provides a safe and caring environment that welcomes students of all backgrounds and nationalities, nurturing them to become plurilingual, confident, and open-minded critical thinkers.”
After the French International School: In 2022, 47 percent of graduates attended college in France.
Student to teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform? No.
4880 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC, 20007; 202-337-3554
Ages: 18 months-3rd grade.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 228.
Mission statement: “The River School’s inclusive program challenges each child to work collaboratively, to think critically, and to develop the confidence to take risks, embrace their curiosity, and find their voice.”
Student to teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Seneca Academy
15601 Germantown Rd., Darnestown, MD, 20874; 301-869-3728
Ages: age 2 years—5th grade.
Tuition: $4,000 (age 3 years, two days a week), $5,870 (age 3 years, three days a week), $9,020 (age 3 years, five days a week), $8,150 (age 4 years, four days a week), $9,950–$15,900 (age 4 years, five days a week), $25,900 (kindergarten–5th grade).
Total number of students: 132.
Mission statement: “Seneca Academy fosters children’s natural curiosity and ignites a love of learning through a collaborative, inquiry-based program in a dynamic and welcoming community.”
Student to teacher ratio: 10 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Severn School
Lower school: 1185 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Arnold, MD, 21012. Upper school: 201 Water St., Severna Park, MD, 21146. 410-647-7700.
Ages: 3 years—12th grade.
Tuition: $10,460 (age 3 years, half days), $13,790 (age 3 years, full days), $16,850 (age 5 years, half days), $22,120 (age 5 years, full days), $24,410 (kindergarten), $26,580 (1st–5th grade), $33,400 (6th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 911.
Mission statement: “Severn School challenges its students to pursue excellence in character, conduct, and scholarship, to marshal the courage to lead, and to contribute to the world around them. We believe this is best realized in a community where adults model these qualities, where a culture of belonging is fostered, and where each student is known and valued.”
Student to teacher ratio: 10 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Severn School (Chesapeake campus)
Lower school: 1185 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Arnold, MD, 21012; preschool—5th grade. Upper school: 201 Water St., Severna Park, MD, 21146; 6th–12th grade; 410-647-7700
Ages: .pre-school—5th grade.
Tuition: $10,460 (pre-school, three days a week, half days), $13,790 (preschool, three days a week, full days), $16,850 (preschool, five days a week, half days), $22,120 (preschool, five days a week, full days), $16,850 (pre-K, five days a week, half days), $22,120 (pre-K, five days a week, full days), $24,410 (kindergarten), $26,580 (1st–5th grade), $33,400 (6th–12th grade).
Total number of students: 911.
Mission statement: “Severn School challenges its students to pursue excellence in character, conduct, and scholarship, to marshal the courage to lead, and to contribute to the world around them. We believe this is best realized in a community where adults model these qualities, where a culture of belonging is fostered, and where each student is known and valued.”
Also of note: The curriculum emphasizes student innovation and STEM learning. “Whether working with tools in our Chesapeake Campus Maker Lab and Teel Campus Innovation Center or creating a business plan based on user-centered design, our students gain the necessary skills to solve real-world problems with the internal motivation to try, fail, and keep trying.”
Student to teacher ratio: 10 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Sheridan School
4400 36th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20008; 202-362-7900
Ages: K-8th grade.
Tuition: $44,460 (kindergarten–4th grade), $47,930 (5th–8th grade).
Total number of students: 230.
Mission statement: “We strive to create an inclusive, vibrant learning community. We take joy in learning, show kindness and empathy towards others, embrace new experiences and ideas, and continually seek a deeper and fuller understanding of the world. We seek to inspire self-knowledge, intellectual discipline and personal integrity in our community members. At both our city and mountain campuses, the Sheridan community challenges itself to live the ideal of respect for oneself, others and the environment.”
Also of note: Students take trips to Sheridan’s Mountain Campus, a 130-acre retreat where there’s outdoor curriculum as well as challenges such as a ropes course, zip line, and a climbing wall.
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Sidwell Friends School
Lower school: 5100 Edgemoor Ln., Bethesda, MD, 20814. Middle and upper school: 3825 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20016. 202-537-8100
Ages: pre-K—12th grade.
Tuition: $51,410 (pre-K—2nd grade), $53,920 (3rd–4th grade), $57,150 (5th-8th grade), $57,620 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 1,142.
Mission: “Sidwell Friends School is a dynamic learning community grounded in Quaker values that encourages students to recognize the goodness that exists within each person and to find their inner teacher so they can pursue a life of truth, knowledge, self-revelation, and lifelong friendship. Sidwell students develop the tools to live courageously, imaginatively, and joyfully.”
Also of note: Sidwell graduates include the children and grandchildren of notable politicians, including Malia and Sasha Obama, Chelsea Clinton, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Joe Biden’s grandchildren.
Student to teacher ratio: Pre-K: 10 to 1; kindergarten–4th grade: 12 to 1; 5th–8th grade: 16 to 1; 9th–12th grade: 16 to 1.
Uniform? No.
The Siena School
1300 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, MD, 20901; 301-244-3600
Ages: 5th-12th grade.
Tuition: $52,805 (5th-8th grade), $53,479 (9th–12th grade).
Total number of students: 150.
Mission statement: “The Siena School offers a rich educational program for bright, college-bound students with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. Our program is designed for students with mild to moderate needs who experience a discrepancy between their intellectual abilities and academic achievement in one or more areas such as reading, writing, oral expression, or math.”
Also of note: The Scholarship Fund serves to make a Siena education affordable for more students.
Student to teacher ratio: 3 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Silver Spring Learning Center
1401 Arcola Ave., Silver Spring, MD; 301-649-1373
Ages: 2 years–2nd grade.
Tuition: $4,950–$11,500 (age 2 years, three days a week), $6,950–$16,250 (age 2-4 years, five days a week), $13,500–$15,750 (kindergarten–2nd grade).
Total number of students: n/a.
Of note: The school offers a “Hebrew immersion experience.”
Uniform? No.
Village Green Day School
790 Walker Rd., Great Falls, Virginia, 22066; 703-759-4049
Ages: 3 months—5 years.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: n/a.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to provide our children and families with a loving home away from home by intertwining a compassionate, nurturing environment with a challenging curriculum that meets the needs of the whole child, thus creating a school community.”
Student to teacher ratio: n/a.
Uniform? No.
Wakefield Country Day School
1059 Zachary Taylor Hwy., Huntly, VA, 22640; 540-635-8555
Ages: preschool-12th grade.
Tuition: $12,850 (preschool), $13,600 (pre-K), $15,100 (kindergarten), $20,900 (1st-5th grade), $21,450 (6th-8th grade), $22,950 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 219.
Mission statement: “To develop each student’s character and intellect to the student’s fullest potential, encouraging scholarship, diligence, and self-discipline as well as respect for and service to others within a curriculum that emphasizes learning in the classical tradition.”
Also of note: 100 percent of Wakefield Country Day students participate in internships.
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Wakefield School
4439 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, VA, 20198; 540-253-7500
Ages: pre-K-12th grade.
Tuition: $20,000 (pre-K), $22,000 (kindergarten), $26,500 (1st-3rd grade), $29,000 (4th-5th grade), $33,000 (6th-8th grade), $36,000 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 378.
Mission statement: “To foster the character, curiosity, and clear voices the world will always need. The greatest challenge in education is preparing people to thrive in a world that is rapidly evolving. Unprecedented societal and technological advances are coalescing to capture our imagination, influence how we learn, and shape how we interact with each other and with society. In response to these sea changes in the human experience, how we educate, and how students learn, must also evolve. Yet certain fundamental skills will always be necessary for the successful and joyful pursuit of lifelong learning: acting ethically, thinking critically, and communicating effectively. It is to the development of these timeless qualities that Wakefield School’s mission is dedicated.”
Student to teacher ratio: 15 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Washington International School
Primary School: 1690 36th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20007; 202-243-1700. Tregaron Campus: 3100 Macomb St., NW, Washington, DC, 20008; 202-243-1800.
Ages: primary school: preschool–5th grade. Tregaron: 6th-12th grade.
Tuition: $33,480 (preschool), $42,620 (pre-K), $46,275 (kindergarten), $48,245 (1st-5th grade), $53,900 (6th-8th grade), $54,685 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 900.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to be an exemplary learning community—enriched by differences, informed through inquiry, global in reach.”
Also of note: Primary school students receive language immersion education in French or Spanish.
After Washington International: 33 percent of graduates continue their education at international colleges or universities.
Student to teacher ratio: 9 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Washington Waldorf School
4800 Sangamore Rd., Bethesda, MD, 20816; 301-229-6107
Ages: preschool-12th grade.
Tuition: $12,660 (preschool, three half days a week), $21,100 (preschool, five half days a week), $21,100 (nursery-kindergarten, five half days a week), $32,600 (nursery-kindergarten, five full days a week), $36,800 (1st-6th grade), $39,000 (7th-8th grade), $42,600 (9th-12th grade).
Total number of students: 278.
Mission statement: “The Washington Waldorf School cultivates each student’s capacity to think clearly, feel compassionately, and act purposefully in the world. We are committed to the education movement inspired by the pioneering work of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner and advanced by Waldorf teachers worldwide.”
Also of note: In addition to traditional high school arts classes such as painting, Washington Waldorf offers bookbinding, metalworking, sculpture, and woodworking classes.
Student to teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Westminster School
3819 Gallows Rd., Annandale, VA, 22003; 703-256-3620
Ages: 3 years-8th grade.
Tuition: $19,387 (preschool, part time), $24,250 (preschool, full time), $31,395 (kindergarten-1st grade), $33,675 (2nd-3rd grade), $35,829 (4th grade), $36,903 (5th-8th grade).
Total number of students: 233.
Mission statement: “Westminster School is dedicated to providing a superior elementary and middle-school education whose fundamental goals for each child are a disciplined and well-informed mind, strength of character, dedication to learning, generosity of spirit, and joy in the possibilities of life. The Westminster program is founded on a traditional curriculum, rigorous academic standards, and an atmosphere that promotes respect, integrity, kindness, and a sense of excellence. Westminster’s academic program provides thorough training in basic subjects within a broad humanities curriculum. The Classical tradition, great books, and exposure to the arts are emphasized and integrated throughout an accelerated, thoroughly rounded program.”
Also of note: In addition to standard classes, Westminster offers older students academic enrichment courses such as Shakespeare and ballroom dancing.
Student to teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
