About Private School Guide
Find the best educational option—from pre-school through 12th grade—for your child.
This article is part of our larger Private School Guide.
Chelsea School
2970 Belcrest Center Dr., Hyattsville, MD, 20782; 240-467-2100
Ages: 5th-12th grade.
Tuition: $51,095.
Total number of students: 65.
Mission: “Chelsea School has maintained a philosophy that children thrive—both socially and academically—when their unique needs are met. For more than 45 years, we’ve provided individualized programming to students with specific language-based learning differences in a rigorous, individualized college preparatory environment. Our vision is a model educational community where each student is valued, has equitable access to opportunity, embraces their differences, and celebrates their achievements.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Commonwealth Academy
1321 Leslie Ave., Alexandria, VA, 22301; 703-548-6912
Ages: 5th-12th grade.
Tuition: $47,500.
Total number of students: 150.
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.
Diener School
9312 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD, 20814; 301-299-4602
Ages: kindergarten-8th grade.
Tuition: $56,500.
Total number of students: 81.
Mission statement: “To provide a nurturing yet challenging environment for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade with learning differences that supports academic and social needs and inspires minds for a lifetime.”
Also of note: Every day, students have time between lessons to move. Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Frost School
4915 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville, MD, 20853; 301-933-3451
Ages: 5-21.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 88.
Mission statement: “To improve the quality of life of individuals and families by compassionately serving their mental health, addiction, special education, and community support needs.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Foundation School
1330 McCormick Dr., Largo, MD, 20774, 301-772-1200; and 220 Girard St., Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, 301-740-7807
Ages: K-12th grade (Largo); 1st-12th (Gaithersburg).
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 143 (Largo); 71 (Gaithersburg).
Mission: “Since 1975, The Foundation Schools has been providing innovative programs and support services that address the educational, social, and mental health needs of children and adolescents with emotional disabilities and learning challenges. Our vision is that “all students experience success.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 8 to 1 (Largo), 7 to 1 (Gaithersburg).
Uniform? No.
Ivymount School
11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD, 20854; 301-469-0223
Ages: 4-21.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 195.
Mission: “We support autonomy and achievement for students with complex learning needs. Our highly trained staff provide innovative education programs and comprehensive therapeutic and behavioral services for neurodiverse students ages four to 21. Ivymount School is a safe and caring community where students and their families can flourish, within school and beyond.”
Also of note: Ivymount’s Project Search assists students as they move into the workplace. The project includes classroom and workforce training, and job-coaching.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Katherine Thomas School
9975 Medical Center Dr., Rockville, MD, 20850; 301-738-9691
Ages: preschool-12th grade.
Tuition: $36,191 (preschool), $52,015 (lower and middle school), $56,937 (high school).
Total number of students: 159.
Mission statement: “The KTS mission is to enable students to reach their full educational potential through a multi-sensory, developmental, language-intensive curriculum.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Kennedy School
801 Buchanan St., NE, Washington, DC, 20017; 202-281-2700
Ages: 6-22.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: n/a.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to develop students with developmental differences with active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to self-advocate for themselves. We stress the total development of each student: spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional and physical. We seek to encourage post-secondary education, post-school employment and endless possibilities of living a life with purpose and passion.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 3.
Uniform? No.
The Lab School
4759 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC, 20007; 202-965-6600
Ages: 1st-12th grades.
Tuition: $63,075 (lower school), $63,350 (middle school), $64,375 (upper school).
Total number of students: 385.
Mission: “Turning differences into advantages.”
Also of note: The Lab School’s Reservoir Group of specialists includes speech-language pathologists, therapists, psychologists, and social workers.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Little Keswick School
500 Little Keswick Dr., Keswick, VA, 22947; 434-295-0457
Ages: 10-18.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 35.
Of note: Resources offered at this all-boys boarding school include speech therapy, art therapy, and animal-assisted therapy.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Oakwood School
7210 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA, 22003; 703-941-5788
Ages: 1st-8th grade.
Tuition:$49,650.
Total number of students: 118.
Mission statement: “We provide a multisensory educational program in which students with learning differences are guided to achieve their unique academic and social potential in a nurturing community environment.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Phillips School-Annandale
7010 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA, 22003; 703-941-8810
Ages: 5-22.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 166.
Mission: “Our foundational approach supports a pattern of rigor and flexibility focused on the use of effective instructional and strength-based strategies, interventions, or programs, supported by evidence, research and the quality implementation of best practices. Phillips uses this evidence-based approach in our practice, ensuring that we never lose sight of the necessity to promote services and programs that remain focused on positive change and outcomes.”
Also of note: The Phillips School connects students with internships and workplace experiences to support their entrance into the workforce. Student-to-teacher ratio: 7 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Phillips School-Laurel
8920 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel, MD, 20723; 301-470-1620
Ages: 8-21.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 74.
Mission: “At Laurel, we specialize in creating supportive, individualized educational environments for students ages 8-21. Our programs empower students whose unique needs have not been met in traditional settings. Through a strengths-based approach, we address each student’s academic, behavioral, emotional, and social needs while fostering growth, independence, and success. Working in close collaboration with families, we create brighter futures, one success at a time.”
Also of note: The Phillips School connects students with internships and workplace experiences to support their entrances into the workforce. Student-to-teacher ratio: 6 to 1.
Uniform? No.
Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children
12301 Academy Way, Rockville, MD, 20852; 301-984-4444
Ages: pre-K-5th grade.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 23.
Mission statement: “Founded in 1982, Adventist HealthCare The Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness is a private, non-profit agency with a mission to improve the social and emotional health of young children and their families through prevention, early intervention, education, research and training.”
Student-to-teacher ratio: 5 to 1.
Uniform? No.
St. Coletta of Greater Washington
1901 Independence Ave., SE, Washington, DC, 20003; 202-350-8680
Ages: 3-22.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 270.
Mission statement: “To empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities to discover their full potential.”
Also of note: St. Coletta offers therapy services including occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and behavior management. Student-to-teacher ratio: 10 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).
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.
Summit School
664 E. Central Ave., Edgewater, MD, 21037; 410-798-0005
Ages: 1st-8th grade.
Tuition: $37,900.
Total number of students: 115.
Mission statement: “The Summit School educates children with unique learning profiles to their full potential.”
Also of note: 98 percent of all Summit School students graduate high school. Student-to-teacher ratio: 4 to 1.
Uniform? Yes.
Timber Ridge School
1463 New Hope Rd., Cross Junction, VA, 22625; 540-888-3456
Ages: 10-21.
Tuition: n/a.
Total number of students: 32.
Mission statement: “The mission of Timber Ridge School is to educate and empower our youth and families to be successful and responsible, by building healthy relationships in a supportive therapeutic environment.”
Also of note: Timber Ridge is a residential, all-boys treatment center.
Student-to-teacher ratio: 3 to 1.
Uniform? No.
