Best Private Schools in DC – 2025

February 25, 2025

Washington, DC, and the surrounding areas in Maryland and Northern Virginia contain some of the finest private day and boarding schools in the entire United States. Of course, while having loads of quality choices is a “good problem to have”, it doesn’t make your decision of which private schools in DC will be the best choice for your family any easier. As parents, there are a multitude of considerations guiding your selection of which institition will be best for your child. Ultimately, your decision will need to balance your teen’s academic, emotional, and social needs with financial and logistical considerations. However, College Transitions’ list of the Best Private Schools in DC will focus primarily on our area of expertise—college admissions. As such, we will highlight the job that each of the schools does at sending their graduates on to the region/nation’s premier 4-year schools.

Best Private Schools in DC

Here’s a quick preview of the high schools that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) St. Albans School – DC

2) Basis Independent McClean

3) Georgetown Day School

4) Holton-Arms School

5) National Cathedral School

6) Sidwell Friends School

7) The Madeira School

8) The Potomac School

9) Landon School

10) Episcopal High School

Please note that inclusion on our list is a selective and criteria-based process. However, the order in which the schools appear is not representative of any further ranking; the numbering is solely intended to enhance the ease of navigating this resource. All of the schools profiled below have a history of sending graduates to the top colleges in the country. For each of the best private high schools in DC, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—each school’s:

Location
Tuition (9-12)
Enrollment (9-12)
Average SAT Score
Average ACT Score
Senior Class Size
College Admissions Highlights
Academic Highlights

Without further ado, let’s look at the profiled high schools.

#1 Best Private Schools in DC

St. Albans School – DC

3001 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

College Admissions Highlights: Over the past five years, the following highly-selective colleges have enrolled St. Albans grads: Amherst, Bates, BC, Bucknell, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, Harvard, Howard, Johns Hopkins, Kenyon, Miami, Michigan, NYU, Northeastern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn, Pomona, Princeton, Stanford, Tufts, US Military Acad, Vanderbilt, UVA, Wake Forest, Washington U, Wesleyan, William & Mary, Williams, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: Albans is an all-boys school. 8% of students are boarding. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7:1 with an average class size of 13. 43% students of color. 80% of faculty have advanced degrees. 13 AP and 8 honors courses. The performing arts program is coordinated with the National Cathedral School (also on our list). 22 athletic teams and a Voyageur outdoor program.

Tuition (9-12): $80,308 (Boarding); $59,966 (Day)
Enrollment (seniors): 82
Average SAT Score: Not Reported
Average ACT Score: Not Reported

#2 Best Private Schools in DC

Basis Independent McLean – DC

8000 Jones Branch Dr, McLean, VA 22102

College Admissions Highlights: A recent sample over a 3 year period, students have gained acceptance to Amherst, BC, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, William & Mary, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, John Hopkins, MIT, NYU, Northeastern, Pomona, Princeton, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UChicago, UMich, Penn, Vanderbilt, WashU, Williams, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: 77% of teachers have advance degrees. 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students begin AP coursework in 9th. 98% AP exam pass rate. 19 recognized National Merit scholars & 1 winner. 50+ sports, clubs and activities offered. Nearly 80% of the student body participated in a club, activity or sport; 50% participated in at least two.

Tuition (9-12): $39,000
Enrollment (seniors): 174
Average SAT Score: 1452
Average ACT Score: 33

#3 Best Private Schools in DC

Georgetown Day School – DC

4200 Davenport St NW, Washington, DC 20016

College Admissions Highlights: Colleges that welcomed graduates from the last four years include: American, BC, Brown, Bryn Mawr, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, George Washington, Georgetown, Harvard, Hofstra, Johns Hopkins, MIT, NYU, Northeastern, Pomona, Princeton, Rice, Stanford, Tufts, UC Berkeley, UChicago, UMiami, UMichigan, Penn, USC, UVA, Wake Forest, Washington U, William & Mary, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: At Georgetown Day, 79% of teachers possess advanced degrees. 48% students identify as non-white. The average class size kept small with a 1:8 faculty-student ratio. Overall, 123 courses are offered at the high school which caters to 500 students. 43 courses designated upper level. The school boasts a 60% team sport participation percentage each season.

Tuition (9-12): $53,540
Enrollment (seniors): 125
Mid-50% SAT Score: Not Available
Mid-50% ACT Score: Not Available

#4 Best Private Schools in DC

Holton-Arms School – DC

7303 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817

College Admissions Highlights: Over the last four years, students from Holton-Arms have matriculated into the following schools: BC, Brown, Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Davidson, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, Hamilton, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury, NYU, Northeastern, Pepperdine, Rice, Stanford, Trinity, UCLA, UChicago, U Michigan, Penn, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Washington U, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: Holton-Arms is an all-girls institution. 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The average class size is 15. 83% of teachers earned advanced degrees. 47% students of color. 85% of upper school students enrolled in at least one Fine & Performing Arts class. More than 80% participate in the more than 20 athletic teams.

Tuition (9-12): $55,250
Enrollment (seniors): 89
Average SAT Score: 1440
Average ACT Score: 32

#5 Best Private Schools in DC

National Cathedral School – DC

3612 Woodley Rd NW, Washington, DC 20016

College Admissions Highlights: Two or more students over the last four years have entered the following colleges: BC, Brown, Bucknell, Colby, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Denison, Drexel, Georgetown, Harvard, Kenyon, NYU, Northwestern, Penn State, Princeton, Stanford, Syracuse, Tufts, US Military Acad, UCLA, U Chicago, U Michigan, Penn, University of St Andrews, UVA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Wellesley, Wesleyan, William & Mary, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: NCS is an all girls school. 81% of faculty hold advanced degrees. Student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 with an average class size is 12 students. 48% are students of color. Over 15 AP and advanced courses are available. Performing arts and some academic offerings are coordinated with St Albans School (also on our list). 14 seasonal sports with a 50-foot climbing tower.

Tuition (9-12): $55,075
Enrollment (seniors): 82
Mid-50% SAT Score: 1450
Mid-50% ACT Score: 31

#6 Best Private Schools in DC

Sidwell Friends School – DC

3825 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC 20016

College Admissions Highlights: The last four years saw Sidewell graduates enroll at the following: American, Amherst, Bates, BC, BU, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Davidson, Drexel, Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northwestern, Penn State, Pitzer, Princeton, Rice, SMU, Stanford, Tufts, UC Berkeley, UCLA, U Chicago, U Mass, Michigan, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Wake Forest, Washington U, Wesleyan, William & Mary, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: 37% students of color. 85% of faculty members possess advanced degrees. Curricular offerings include Chinese and a full Computer Science and Engineering program including AI & Game Design and Web Design. 90+ student clubs and 23 varsity athletic teams. 30+ arts performances in the upper school.

Tuition (9-12): $57,620
Enrollment (K-12): 503
Average SAT Score: Not available
Average ACT Score: Not available

#7 Best Private Schools in DC

The Madeira School – DC

8328 VA-193, McLean, VA 22102

College Admissions Highlights: Over the last five years, Madeira girls have matriculated to: BC, Brandeis, Brown, Bryn Mawr, Cal Poly, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Cornell, Davidson, Duke, Elon, Georgetown, Harvard, Hofstra, Indiana, Johns Hopkins, MIT, NYU, Northwestern, Penn State, Princeton, Rice, Spelman, Stanford, Tufts, UCLA, U Chicago, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, Washington U, William & Mary, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: Madeira is an all-girls school. 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio. 91% of faculty hold advanced degrees. Students come from 43 countries and 22 states. 49% are students of color & 13% are international. 100+ sports, activities, & clubs.

Tuition (9-12): $71,600 (Boarding), $55,800 (Day)
Enrollment (9-12): 338
Average SAT Score: Not Reported
Average ACT Score: Not Reported

#8 Best Private Schools in DC

The Potomac School – DC

1301 Potomac School Rd, McLean, VA 22101

College Admissions Highlights: Graduates from Potomac over the last four years have matriculated to the following schools: BC, BU, Brown, Case Western, William & Mary, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Hamilton, Harvard, Indiana, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Middlebury, NYU, Northwestern, Penn State, Princeton, Rice, Stanford, UCLA, U Chicago, Miami, Michigan, Penn, USC, UVA, Vanderbilt, VaTech, Wake Forest, Washington U, William & Mary, WPI, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: 72% of faculty have advanced degrees. The average class size is 15. 45% students of color. 42 advanced level courses. 95% of AP test-takers earned a 3 or higher. 74 teams for 24 sports (7-12). Special concentration programs include: Global Perspectives & Citizenship, Science & Engineering Research, Visual & Performing arts, and Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurship & Business.

Tuition (9-12): $51,000
Enrollment (seniors): 122
Average SAT Score: 1386
Average ACT Score: 33

#9 Best Private Schools in DC

Landon School – DC

6101 Wilson Ln, Bethesda, MD 20817

College Admissions Highlights: Over the last four years, graduates have matriculated into these fine institutions: Amherst, BC, Bucknell, CalTech, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western, Colgate, Columbia, Davidson, Dartmouth, Emory, Georgetown, Hamilton, Harvard, johns Hopkins, Kenyon, MIT, NYU, Northwestern, Pepperdine, Princeton, Swarthmore, Ohio State, Tufts, UC Berkeley, U Chicago, U Michigan, Penn, Notre Dame, UVA, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Wake Forest, Wesleyan, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: The average class size at this all-boys school is 14. 41% identify as students of color. 100% of seniors complete a service or ethics capstone project.. Landon offers 40 clubs and 60 elective courses. 100% of students participate in arts for at least 2 years. 21 athletic options with strength & conditioning all 3 seasons.

Tuition (6-12): $53,360
Enrollment (seniors): 94
Average SAT Score: 1345
Average ACT Score: 27

#10 Best Private Schools in DC

Episcopal High School – DC

1200 N Quaker Ln, Alexandria, VA 22302

College Admissions Highlights: Classes over the last 5 years from Episcopal have matriculated to: BC, Brown, Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, GaTech, Harvard, Howard, John Hopkins, MIT, NYU, Northeastern, Pepperdine, Princeton, Rice, Stanford, Texas A&M, Tufts, US Military Academy, UC Berkeley, UChicago, UNC Chapel Hill, Notre Dame, USC, UVA, Villanova, Wake Forest, Washington & Lee, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: Episcopal is 100% residential – all students are boarded. 90% of faculty live on campus. Offer more than 40 Honors or Advanced classes. 82% of students taking AP exams achieved a score of 3 or better. 48 interscholastic teams including 29 varsity in 17 sports. 80% of student participate in athletics.

Tuition (9-12): $72,000 (Includes Boarding)
Enrollment (9-12): 450
Mid-50% SAT Score: Not Reported
Mid-50% ACT Score: Not Reported

Best Private Schools in Washington, DC – Additional Resources

We hope you found our blog on private schools in DC to be helpful. All high school students and families may wish to explore further information regarding the college search and admissions process at our Dataverse, Blog, and List-Building Tool.

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High School Success

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).