2019 Best Elementary Schools in the Washington, D.C. AreaAbout this List

Sidwell Friends School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• PK, K-12
• 42

Senior: Sidwell Friends School has been an amazing place to foster my intellectual growth. Sidwell is a Quaker school and Quaker values (especially community and integrity) are very present within the school environment. Students are very involved in the school community and participate in various activities including club, plays, athletics, orchestra, chorus, and jazz. Teachers are always available to help and foster students that are sensible, compassionate and bright. At Sidwell I have been surrounded by students that genuinely care about whats going on the world around them, want to change the world, and are using their education to do so.
Read 42 Reviews

• A+

• 1,145 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Georgetown Day School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• PK, K-12
• 34

Junior: GDS is in so many ways an ideal learning environment. The teachers are engaging, supportive, and rigorous, the extracurriculars are multifaceted and enjoyable, the athletics are fun and competitive. GDS exemplifies it’s mission, as it leaves students more prepared for life after high school, while instilling them with a crucial sense of right and wrong, and the tools to go out into the world and right some of those wrongs. More than anything else, GDS is what it is because of the students. Collaborative, intellectual, kind, and engaging, the community truly is like no other. People genuinely care about both each other and the school, and that aditude leads to a community that isn’t just in school from 8:15-3:15 and then gone, but one that keeps the building lively at all hours. GDS is truly an incredible place, and I hope that this convinces someone to either apply or attend. I promise you won’t regret it!
Read 34 Reviews

• A+

• 1,075 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Holton-Arms School

• Private School
• Bethesda, MD
• 3-12
• 103

Alum: Looking back on my time at Holton, I am very grateful for the academic education and supportive teachers and staff. The school offers many great opportunities to get involved. I was well-prepared for college. Holton's all-girls education really prepares you to speak up in college classes. However, my social experience there was sub-par. Many, if not most of the girls there, are spoiled and come from wealthy homes. The cattiness and exclusivity never stopped up until graduation. I saw this everywhere. Across grades, groups of friends, and even among parents to be honest. Overall a great school, but I think the school needs to intervene to make the Holton experience more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
Read 103 Reviews

• A+

• 660 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Maret School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• K-12
• 37

Senior: Through my many years at Maret, I have learned just how fantastic of a school it is. The teachers are incredibly accessible which makes it a fun and inviting academic environment. The academics are very, very rigorous. And as much as us Maret students like to complain about our workload, it's been worth it from my experience. Not only have I learned important content, but I have learned how to think, how to approach problems, and how to live life with an open and accepting mind. The extracurriculars, arts, and sports are amazing as well and foster a unique sense of community. As corny as it sounds, the community at Maret welcomes diversity and strives for inclusion. The thing I love most about Maret though is the people. I've met by best friends at Maret and have been educated by some of the smartest and kindest teachers. Maret has prepared me so incredibly well for college and beyond and I am so thankful for my experience at the school.
Read 37 Reviews

• A+

• 651 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Potomac School

• Private School
• McLean, VA
• K-12
• 49

Middle School Student: Great school, loving teachers and academically fantastic. Teachers help a lot and really encourage you. Athletics are remarkable and the academics are even ahead of that which is really hard to do. Kudos to you Potomac!
Read 49 Reviews

• A+

• 1,060 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Landon School

• Private School
• Bethesda, MD
• 3-12
• 28

Senior: Landon School gives your boy various opportunities to succeed. They stress excellence and perseverance in every facet of life ranging from media, studio, and performing arts, music, athletics, and overall ethics. There is a strong brotherhood at Landon that radiates from the common places. With the diverse student body, it is easy to see that all cultures are represented, and accepted by all students.
Read 28 Reviews

• A+

• 680 Students
• 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Flint Hill School

• Private School
• Oakton, VA
• PK, K-12
• 53

Parent: Flint Hill is a lovely school, and I have been surprised by how down-to-earth the culture is, despite the price tag and rigorous college prep environment. Kids really get what they need in an individualized way, we have been thrilled with the school, having had 2 kids attend for almost a decade now!
Read 53 Reviews

• A+

• 1,097 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Washington International School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• PK, K-12
• 42

Parent: Our children attended the school since 3rd grade. They graduated not only fully bilingual, but extraordinarily well-educated. The school is one of the global leaders in the International Baccalaureate - a model studied by other schools around the globe. Their sports are excellent - particularly boys and girls soccer where they are among the top teams in the DMV. Less appreciated is the strength of their theater and visual arts programs, both of which are extremely distinguished.

The student body is truly global, though not transient. Most students have one parent who is a US citizen and one who is a citizen elsewhere. While, like all private schools, this is an economically elite group, the feel among the parents is more of one of dual working professionals than one of a plutocratic elite in an awkward barbell relationship with a handful of full-scholarship students. This makes things socially far less weird than at a Sidwell or GDS or Holton Arms.
Read 42 Reviews

• A+

• 901 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Bullis School

• Private School
• Potomac, MD
• 2-12
• 72

Alum: At Bullis, I was given an opportunity to excel in my strengths and improve my weaknesses. I was a year ahead in math and was able to take the classes necessary for me to continue rather than retaking a class or sitting out a year. I was able to overcome my weakness in writing with the help of the writing center and each of my English teachers, who had office hours and were very responsive to emails when I had questions. Any other academic struggles were settled with the help of the academic center, enrichment period, and the learning specialist. The fact that Bullis is a small school makes for individualized enrichment and allows specialized attention. If I could change anything at Bullis it would be the diversity. As a PWI, the school endures racial issues with microaggression, ignorance, and a lack of understanding. Bullis should make fewer accommodations to privileged children who get away with saying racist things.
Read 72 Reviews

• A+

• 845 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

• Private School
• Bethesda, MD
• PK, K-12
• 76

Freshman: Excellent school! Academics are rigorous, but fun. The teachers are very supportive, while at the same time hard graders. Girls are very kind and accepting of others, but very competitive in academics and athletics. The meal plan, Sage, is outstanding. Many girls attend ivy or prestigious universities.
Read 76 Reviews

• A+

• 727 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Andrew's Episcopal School

• Private School
• Potomac, MD
• PK, K-12
• 67

Alum: St. Andrew's is a welcoming and nurturing community, filled with teachers and staff that truly care about their students and want them to grow both in terms of learning and character. Their academics is excellent, offering a wide variety of extra curricular classes for exploration, while also stressing the importance of core classes such as English and Mathematics. The school is especially dedicated to improving skills in writing, critical thinking, perspective, and expanding students' worldview. A school that acknowledges values that come from art to sports, St. Andrew's Episcopal gave me the perfect place to spend my high school years!
Read 67 Reviews

• A+

• 575 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Heights School

• Private School
• Potomac, MD
• 3-12
• 34

Alum: The community and spirit at the Heights is amazing. From several annual festival days full of tradition and athletics, to phenomenal spirit supporting our sports team, there is a great sense of family. The teachers are great at personal mentoring with students and prepare students well for the APs and college, without sacrificing rigor in the liberal arts and academic and personal development. One student received a perfect score on the AP Microeconomics exam, having been prepared so well in the school's courses, which go beyond what is sufficient. I would highly recommend and my friendships forged there still remain.
Let us walk the way, boys!
Read 34 Reviews

• A+

• 540 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rochambeau French International School

• Private School
• Bethesda, MD
• PK, K-12
• 7

Alum: I went to the Lycee Rochambeau from ages 4 to 18. Rochambeau provided me with an excellent education and a sturdy foundation not only for University but for the real world. Rochambeau's main strength is that it embraces cultural diversity and puts a strong emphasis on inclusivity. Although the curriculum is heavy and professors will make you work hard to get a grade you truly deserve, I have nothing but positive social interactions with staff and fellow classmates. I am still just as close to my friend group now as I was 3 years ago at Rochambeau. I find myself missing Rochambeau constantly while in college and I will never forget the memories made during my 14 years there.
Read 7 Reviews

• A+

• 1,000 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

• Private School
• Rockville, MD
• PK, K-12
• 15

Parent: I recommend CESJDS Upper School for its teachers, its values, and its fantastic student body. My daughter had a seamless transition from her elementary school to CESJDS for middle school, where she's made a lot of new friends, and where teachers have gotten her interested in lots of new topics. Just last night, she was doing her homework and telling me breathlessly how excited she was about the assignment (this is a true story and as surprising to me as it is to you). I know a number of older kids in the school and they are truly nice, caring and grounded individuals who contribute to their communities - I will be fully satisfied and quite proud if my daughter grows up to be anything like them.
Read 15 Reviews

• A+

• 950 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School

• Private School
• Alexandria, VA
• PK, K-12
• 60

Alum: I had a wonderful experience at SSSAS. I started attending the school in 2007 and graduated in 2016 and loved every moment of it. It is easy to get involved in club, sports, the arts, and more. Students are able to build great relationships not only with each other, but also with the faculty and staff. The challenging academics well prepared me for the college life and I could never be more grateful. Go Saints!
Read 60 Reviews

• A+

• 1,133 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Arlington Science Focus Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• PK, K-5

• A+

• 661 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ashlawn Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• PK, K-5
• 5

Niche User: My Grandson Charlie goes to Ashlawn and shares his experiences with his grandparents. He is excited about his school Ashlawn Elementary. For what I hear and see from Charlie and his parents Ashlawn Elementary sets the standard.
ECG
Read 5 Reviews

• A+

• 656 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jamestown Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• PK, K-5
• 1

Freshman: It was a great experience I went there from 2003 to 2014. The Diversity was poor because it was a Mostly White & Asian when I Went there.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• 566 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Discovery Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• PK, K-5

• A+

• 529 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Arlington Traditional Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• PK, K-5

• A+

• 502 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McKinley Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• PK, K-5

• A+

• 604 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sandy Spring Friends School

• Private School
• Sandy Spring, MD
• PK, K-12
• 40

Junior: Sandy Spring Friends School has an amazing community both in and out of the classroom. SSFS provides amazing opportunities, such as intersession, in which the entire upper school is provided the chance to travel in small groups internationally or domestically. Each grade from 4-9th grade leaves the classroom and partakes in a camping trip of varying lengths in order to allow the grade to become closer and allow students to create a better bond with not only their peers but the teachers as well. The class room environment is also incredibly friendly, and students call their teachers by their first name in order to follow the Quaker principe of equality. Very few classes exceed 15 people, meaning that the teacher can focus individual attention on a student in order to help them succeed. SSFS provides social and academic opportunities that focuses not only on teaching students facts to, but to make them better people and teach students how to let their lives speak.
Read 40 Reviews

• A+

• 603 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Nottingham Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• K-5

• A+

• 442 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Taylor Elementary School

• Arlington Public Schools, VA
• PK, K-5
• 1

Alum: I absolutely loved going to school here from kindergarten all the way through 5th grade. All of the teachers were amazing, and it was a very good foundational learning experience for the following years.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• 724 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Washington Waldorf School

• Private School
• Bethesda, MD
• PK, K-12
• 24

Senior: Great community with good, well-rounded academics. The size of the school (very, very small) means that it lacks certain resources, but all the critical areas are covered. The curricular system is also unique, due to the Waldorf pedagogy.
Read 24 Reviews

• A+

• 304 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio