2023 Best Private Schools in 20001

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  52 reviews

Freshman: This is my first year at GDS, and so far it's been amazing! All of my teachers are excellent, the classes are challenging, and I've been learning so much. I've been able to go in person two days a week, which is great, and most of my teachers have been on campus as well. The facilities are nice and modern, the students are interesting, and everyone is really kind. The clubs are well-run, too. I would recommend GDS to anyone who is willing to put in work at school and pay the tuition.... Read 52 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,075

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: Sidwell has provided my children with an exceptional academic experience emphasizing critical thinking and problem solving, writing and communications, and quantitative reasoning. The workload has been substantial at times, but always enriching and interesting (i.e., rarely if ever busywork) and will fully prepare students for the rigors they'll experience in college and beyond. Moreover, Sidwell has done a great job of developing my children as well informed, highly engaged, and socially conscious citizens. Strongly recommend!... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,145

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  77 reviews

Parent: Absolutely top notch school . Our junior (11th grade) joined in 6th grade and it has been very socially fulfilling and academically rigorous but with support systems in place as needed. Over the last five years in this community we have seen our daughter become more confident, more motivated and focused while showing great kindness and humility to those around her. She loves NCS and we have made good friends in the parent community. She is surrounded by confident, kind, and very supportive peers. I have countless examples I could cite of seniors helping juniors just in the last few weeks alone! The college counseling preparation is also excellent. It is very easy to write this review because we have had a very good experience.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 587

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  49 reviews

Junior: St. Albans has taught me time management skills because we are required to play a sport every season and practices end around 6. It truly is a strenuous environment academically but the friends you make in your years here make it all worthwhile. Knowing you aren’t the only person struggling or going through rigorous tests and papers makes it all more bearable. Other traditions like the BEEF Club, family style lunches, and chapels in the little sanctuary bring everyone closer together and really make you feel at home. I came to the school in eighth grade but even so I can tell I’ve made lifelong friends here. You’re excited to go to school everyday because your brothers will be there with you.... Read 49 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 592

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Mclean, VA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: Both my children went here and they received an outstanding education, flourished in a small environment that challenged them and encouraged them at the same time. They found their passions, were able to take on leadership roles and became excellent writers and critical thinkers because this is what the school stresses. While we are white, we are not rich, or entitled. The school does an excellent job with financial aid opportunities and strives to promote diversity. As with any school, the equity and diversity component is a work in progress. The facilities are second to none! The faculty overall is outstanding and the work load, while extremely rigorous, is not just busy work, but work with purpose. We loved our experience at Potomac!... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,069

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Alexandria, VA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  48 reviews

Alum: Episcopal High School boasts an impressive faculty, comprised of knowledgeable and experienced educators who are dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential. The school's extracurricular offerings are diverse and plentiful, with opportunities for students to explore interests in the arts, athletics, community service, and beyond. The campus is well-equipped with modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, performing arts center, and athletic complex. Episcopal High School places a strong emphasis on service, both to the local community and the world at large. The school encourages students to think beyond themselves and engage in meaningful ways with the world around them. With its rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty, and commitment to service, the school offers a transformative educational experience that prepares students for success in college and beyond.... Read 48 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 464

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  53 reviews

Junior: I am a junior, and it is my third year at Maret. The teachers at Maret make their classes engaging and interesting for students and are also very helpful and available for help outside of class. The Maret community is vibrant, supportive and inclusive in both academic and athletic. Overall, I am very happy with my experience at Maret!... Read 53 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 650

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.51 out of 5  43 reviews

Alum: Like some other alums have mentioned, Saint Anselm’s changed my life, giving me the chance to build confidence in myself, explore my interests, and form strong relationships. With these opportunities, I flourished academically, athletically, and personally. I built a strong college resume and got into a great college!... Read 43 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 256

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  52 reviews

Senior: My experience at WIS has been overwhelmingly positive. As a senior, it is great to have access to our own indoor/outdoor lounge and a cafe! The campus is beautiful and the academics are rigorous. It would be nice to see some improvement in the arts at WIS, as there are low budgets and a lack of participation. WIS's sports program is top-notch and all students are given the opportunity to participate. It is also important to note that students at WIS tend to be more stressed, driven, and over-achieving. As all students take the rigorous full IB program in addition to hours of extracurriculars and college prep, many are overcommitted and stressed. However, the WIS administration does a good job of providing student resources and the college counseling department is excellent!... Read 52 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 901

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Alexandria, VA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  146 reviews

Parent: The teachers and administrators here are fabulous. We have had three very different kids go from lower school through upper school and we have always been impressed by the academics offered, the extracurriculars available to our kids, and the level of communication with the families. We highly recommend this school for anyone interested in a challenging but nurturing environment for their kids.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,241

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  117 reviews

Sophomore: I have grown to love visi. There are so many supportive teachers and students. I’ve really developed as a person here academically and socially. I have been pushed to succeed by teachers who genuinely care about my success. I will say that most of the school’s issues stem from the student body. There are lots of cliques which appear to reflect socio-economic groups. Most high school students are hyper partisan left wing. That’s just the way of the world. I feel though, that the school has abandoned catholic teaching in the name of preventing conflict with the student body. I can’t fully criticize the school for this because I don’t think there are many solutions but it is a visible tension. The school could facilitate more respect for diversity of thought. Visi does great work to facilitate racial diversity.... Read 117 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 500

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  96 reviews

Sophomore: So far it has been a great experience. No matter what your interests are, or what sports you do there is a group for you. it is incredibly easy to make friends. Coming from public middle school I was not the best student. My first complaint is that some teachers are very difficult and fail lots of student, regardless of effort. I was not prepared for what highschool would be like. Very quickly into my Gonzaga experience I realized that I would need to apply myself more if I wanted to go to a good college. Gonzaga helped me with that and I improved as a student. The athletics are very competitive, and when I was cut from my sport, I just joined another. It has helped me have new experiences.My second, and final complaint is the strictness and severity of punishments. Student services can be very "over the top" and makes examples out of student. Overall my experience has been great and the bonds I have formed have changed my life.... Read 96 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 960

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  56 reviews

Parent: The Field School has been a wonderful school, not only for our son but for our family. When we first arrived at Field we were struck by how welcoming the community was. As a family, this was important to us. Our son started at Field in 7th grade and recently graduated. During his time at Field, I feel like our son found his voice. He wasn’t ever a quiet kid, but he had leadership skills that he hadn’t discovered yet. The environment at Field, was one that provided our son that opportunity to discover his leadership abilities. By the end of his time at Field he was a school leader and founded an organization that is still going strong at Field currently. Truly grateful we found this hidden gem for our son and our family!... Read 56 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  44 reviews

Junior: Wonderful school, wonderful people and environment. Here's a quick pros and cons list: Pros: - Phenomenal teachers - Great culture - Flexible/open to feedback - Great for college preparedness - Manageable workload while challenging - Diverse, social justice focused Cons: - Not very competitive when it comes to sports - Low budget theatre department - not the greatest in the world - Required Earth System Science class (not very fun, should be optional) - Tiny bit dogmatic in it's social justice focus (although it's overall more a pro than a con)... Read 44 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 308

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chevy Chase, DC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  258 reviews

Senior: I’ve loved my time at SJC! It took a little bit of time to get used to as a freshman because of how technologically dependent the school is. Most, if not all, work is done on the IPad which is great for so many reasons. The student life is amazing and staff want to see you succeed. However, some of the older teachers tend to get stuck in their ways of teaching and need to modernize their methods. Overall, SJC is a great environment for high schoolers, especially those athletically and academically driven.... Read 258 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,250

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  17 reviews

Parent: My daughter has been attending BISW since nursery due to our well regarded public school remaining close during the pandemic. We’re in Primary now and we simply love the school and have no plans to leave despite having a local and good public option. Staff at BISW are competent, kind, responsive and the school is well organized. Clear and constant communication from teachers and administrators is the norm. The curricula is strong and very focused on child literacy. My child is thriving. As others have mentioned, the facilities are not grand, but given the small classes and school size they certainly make good use of the space. Classrooms are well appointed. A new gym being built. I feel that there is PLENTY of racial and ethnic diversity, since BISW attracts embassy and international families. I’ve met people from all around the world.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 510

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Arlington, VA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  228 reviews

Senior: During my time at Bishop O'Connell, my identity as a Catholic was thoroughly culminated through the frequent and active prayers, services, and activities organized by Campus Ministry. Soup drives, clothing drives, school-wide processions, as well as school-wide mass furthered the sense of community that DJO, and the Catholic faith, strive for. My time at O'Connell was also greatly characterized by the Girls Varsity Soccer Team, where I met my best friends, and where we took back-to-back Catholic State Champion titles. Our fall season was characterized by intense energy on the field and the sidelines, as well as daily practice which brought each of the girls closer together. Finally, the worst part about my four years at O'Connell was the time each class was separated into cohorts during the Covid-19 pandemic. The entirety of the year, the school was empty and cold as a result of constantly being at half capacity. However, the following year, the sense of community completely returned.... Read 228 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,155

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Alexandria, VA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  195 reviews

Sophomore: I moved from a small all girls school to Bishop Ireton. While both are private high schools the environment change was a shock. Bishop Ireton has this air about it that was non-existent at my previous school. From the moment I walked in I felt welcome, and accepted. People were friendly and laughing and smiling. The classes are rigorous however you can tell the teachers care for you and want you to succeed. I have never had a teacher so involved and determined to see us succeed as my chemistry teacher. Apart from the classes there are multiple clubs available to students ranging from academic focused clubs, to clubs made to embrace a culture and cultivate a community for minorities, to random interests students have. They are avid in celebrating women history month, black history month, etc. which was another thing absent at my previous school. As a black girl I deeply appreciated the ways they go about honoring and celebrating these special months. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else... Read 195 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 813

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Alexandria, VA•

• Private School•

• 3-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: Commonwealth Academy is above and beyond what anyone could possibly imagine for their child. We needed to find a small, specialized school so that our daughter could thrive and succeed. It was a thrill to find such an inclusive atmosphere filled with dedicated administrators and teachers. My daughter has an anxiety disorder and OCD. Every single teacher CARES. The combination of education, creativity and fun that they have created is unmatched. The classrooms are small and kids with every learning difference are treated with respect and patience. Without the chaos and fear of a big school, our daughter got past the nerves that held her back and learned to speak to adults and advocate for herself. She had warm and nurturing advisors who saw her potential and appreciated her strengths - they gave her CONFIDENCE. The education and unparalleled college prep she received from C/A is why she's thriving in college today, and why our younger daughter is now a C/A student.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A

• Students 150

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Silver Spring, MD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  25 reviews

Senior: Nora is a wonderful school that prioritizes student health and well being. Teachers genuinely care about how students are doing and are flexible in accommodating people's needs. They also teach classes they are passionate about. Grades are based on personal growth rather than comparative performance, and lots of support is available so that students are met where they're at. My pronouns are respected, and everyone is made to feel welcome. I feel like I finally got to have a normal high school experience that I was never able to have at my old school. College prep has also been so amazing, not overly stressful or confusing with lots of help along the way.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A

• Students 65

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Hyattsville, MD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  189 reviews

Senior: Challenged Received strong support from faculty and staff Felt safe Feel prepared for college Developed strong faith in God Experience community service Strong feeling of brotherhood... Read 189 reviews

• grade A

• Students 850

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Alexandria, VA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: We enrolled our son for his junior year in the fall of 2020. We made the decision because the online learning offered by our public school did not work for our son. Fusion staff met with us to determine the appropriate classes to take and even offered and conducted a 'trial' session so our son could get a feel for how it would work. Even though a lot of the year was conducted virtually due to COVID it was still a great experience. One-on-one online classes are very different than one teach and 25-30 students. 5 out of 6 of my son's teachers took the time to really get to know him, understand how he learns and what makes him tick. The teachers are able to connect with students at Fusion in a way that just is not possible in larger environments. (6th teacher was still good and class was a positive experience - there just wasn't the same level of personal connection.)... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 35

• Student-teacher ratio 2:1

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  11 reviews

Niche User: It would be tough to find another school like Parkmont. Actually small classes, students and families from so many different backgrounds, a huge emphasis on hands-on experiential learning, teachers that know every single student as individuals, the list could go on and on. If you're looking for a truly welcoming school and community where a love for learning is valued over memorization, lectures, and high-pressure situations, Parkmont is the place.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A

• Students 68

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Hyattsville, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  57 reviews

Works Here: I've been teaching in New Hope Academy for 30 years and am still impressed with the level of support and love of the administration and staff. The students also are generally enthusiastic and interested in learning, due to the investment of the teachers. All of our children went to this school and now the grandchildren. The fact that most of the faculty with children have enrolled them here indicates trust in the knowledge of the direction, vision, and commitment to the development of the whole child.... Read 57 reviews

• grade A

• Students 196

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Bladensburg, MD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  322 reviews

Freshman: 2021-2022 was my first year as a high schooler and I would say Elizabeth Seton High school made the transition better than I expected! I first learned about the school through a friend's older sibling. I toured the school for the first time. My first impression of the school was great and very welcoming! A few of the then seniors talked to me about the school itself and I almost instantly loved the woman-empowered environment around the school. The idea of an all-girl school at first did not thrill me but now I can definitely say it was a great decision! The school offers many inclusive clubs and sports. I joined the soccer team before the school year began and met amazing people. Even if soccer isn't your thing, they also offer basketball, swimming, and many other sports. It's not all sports based though! There is also a robotics club, book club, equestrian club, BSU, theater and so much more. Seton does a great job of being inclusive and the diversity in the school is amazing!... Read 322 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 564

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1