2025 Best Schools in the Washington, D.C. Area

Freshman: I recently joined SFS in the upper school with about forty other students and have seen a slight divide between the old and new students, but integration is has occurred. There is a considerable workload but it is manageable. Additionally, students are cliquey but it is not difficult to find those who you resonate with. Sports are taken very, VERY seriously with majority of the student population doing some kind of sport during the school year with some being re-classed for sports. Also, the food is delicious and SF's situation in the city is incredible. The teachers and administration here are kind and extremely educated members of their respective fields. However, as a small private school, SF lacks the typical high school film experience. SF's academic excellence is passed on to their students, allowing great college options in the future. Tip: The admissions process considers you as a potential student at SF and you as a person. Be authentic.... Read 81 reviews

Senior: The academics are pretty strong with the many APs they offer, but the teachers are super hit or miss. Some of them are really amazing and clearly care deeply about their students' success, but other's can be super incompetent, having minimal qualifications and discussing irrelevant and personal topics during class time. That being said, throughout my experience, I have been really grateful for the opportunities I have received(both in both leadership and academics) and the high levels of student involvement throughout the community. Whether the positives outweigh the negatives is ultimately a personal question.... Read 95 reviews

Junior: As a junior day student at Madeira, the values of spirit and academic drive create an inspiring environment. I love the diversity at Madeira, especially with the presence of international students and vibrant affinity groups that enrich our community. I also value the direct communication we have with our talented and experienced teachers through Teams and email, making it easy to get the support we need. Additionally, the sports programs not only provide a great opportunity for fun but also help us develop essential teamwork skills. Also, the excellent theatre program adds an extra layer of excitement and creativity to our school life. The cafeteria offers a wide variety of options, ensuring that there’s always something to enjoy. Our beautiful, nearly 400-acre campus, located so close to DC, is perfect for post-class hikes, which I love to go on. Overall, Madeira has been a great experience!... Read 130 reviews

Sophomore: Being a high schooler at Georgetown Day School (GDS) in Washington, D.C., is an experience filled with excitement, challenge, and growth. What I love most about GDS is the community atmosphere that values inclusivity and diversity. The school encourages students to explore their passions and think critically about the world around them. The faculty is incredibly supportive, always pushing us to reach our full potential, both academically and personally. The small class sizes foster meaningful discussions, allowing us to dive deep into complex subjects. Additionally, GDS offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, from sports to arts to student-led clubs, making it easy to find your niche and connect with others who share similar interests. Being in D.C. also opens up unique opportunities to engage with the city’s rich history and culture, adding an extra layer of excitement to the high school experience.... Read 62 reviews

Junior: Episcopal is great! I love the smaller class sizes, it is very beneficial to my learning. Classes operate in a discussion style, which is unique. I love it! The school culture is incredible, everyone is so welcoming and there are so many fun traditions. Although you are given ample opportunities and access to support, you will still receive this guidance if you don't reach out. Your teachers and advisors truly care about you and your success. If you want an environment where you can thrive, Episcopal is the place!... Read 56 reviews

Alum: I loved my time at the Potomac school, but they are a very top-heavy organization slowed down by a toxic, incompetent administration. To an outside observer, it would seem that they are just not able to hire the right people. While, yes, this is true, it is because of the aforementioned toxic culture with no accountability for anyone.... Read 84 reviews

Middle school student: I’m a middle school student at Holton-Arms and I recently switched from National Cathedral School. This is my first year at Holton and everyone has been so welcoming! The sports program is great and I have lots of fun with my friends!😊... Read 143 reviews

Parent: Our son is a sophomore at Prep and we are thrilled that he is at this school. We can't say enough positive things about Georgetown prep. Most importantly, my son absolutely loves going to school every morning.... Read 85 reviews

Parent: Our daughter loves NCS, and so do we! She has had an enriching experience both in and out of the classroom. The teachers are dedicated and available, and her peers are creative, motivated and collaborative. The arts and athletics are rich and varied, with opportunities for every student and some unique to NCS such as bell-ringing and indoor rock-climbing. It has been a wonderful educational experience for her.... Read 85 reviews

Junior: It has been a good experience. The language immersion program has been excellent. Sports facilities could be better.... Read 56 reviews

Parent: In my family's experience, Maret has done some things extremely well, while some other areas need improvement. My child began Maret as a high school freshman . Maret is a K-12 school. Maret offered an academically vigorous environment but not more than what was to be expected from a long-standing DC Independent School. Our family considers this a check in the "win" column. The checks in the "loss" column come from the lack of economic, racial and religious diversity. Maret has a very strong Black Parents affinity group, but the acknowledgement of other races and religions in Maret's daily culture lacks. Maret's small student population (class years under 100 students), and high tuition cost do not lend to a balanced heterogeneous mix of cultures, souls and ideas. Overall however, I would rate Maret School a 4 out of 5 stars.... Read 60 reviews

Freshman: St. Albans is an amazing school and I believe the best school in the country! I am a freshman and have been here since 4th grade. I am able to participate in many clubs, the sports are incredible (often DC champions), academics very rigorous and the teachers kind but tough, and the lunches are really good! A+++ school 100/100!... Read 55 reviews

Parent: TJ is a great experience for our family so far. While it's a bit overcrowded, and there are effects of Covid math gaps, socioemotional issues where students are still couped up instead of being a bit more relaxed, TJ remains wonderful overall. It has rigor, therefore a bit stressful at times, however, it's organized and distributed in smart ways. Teachers are fantastic. Sometimes, a teaching style doesn't match a student, there are other ways for students to get help. We're grateful for such an opportunity for our student. Our student is a minority in many ways, but, stretched self to expand social and academic opportunities. 8th period is a great set up! We wished that there are more sports offered for everyone that are not as competitive, to keep students healthy. Also, more ethnic food options like soups, fruit and veggies. Regarding clubs, wished they were more fair competition instead of who you know. Keep it up. We loved Dr. B, you'll be missed. DEI is what makes TJ awesome... Read 619 reviews

Senior: As a new student, I loce being a part of the Rochambeau community. I was welcomed by everyone and was able to enjoy since day one.... Read 26 reviews

Senior: I have attended Veritas for a number of years (starting in 9th grade) and believe it to be time well spent, as I not only gained a lot of knowledge needed to assist me with excelling in college, but made a lot of great friends. I also attended a lot of field trips, getting to know the culture and area I live in. I am aware that there are two campuses in. the United States, and thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Arlington campus. Its proximity to Washington DC and the level of teachers was pretty amazing, especially Dr. Gertz and Mr. Draim. Also, Mr. Elgut and Mr. Herring helped me out a lot with the college application process. As an international student, living just outside the U.S. capital was very important. It was very easy to get around and the public transportation worked very well. I already gained acceptance to one of my top colleges for next year, but am still waiting others, with hope. I write this review with great pride.... Read 77 reviews

Parent: I'm absolutely thrilled with Pinnacle Academy! The teachers are dedicated, knowledgeable, and truly care about each student's success. The administration is responsive, organized, and always available to address concerns. The curriculum is engaging, challenging, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. My kids have grown not only academically but also socially and emotionally, thanks to the school's emphasis on character development and community service. The facilities are modern, clean, and well-maintained, providing a safe and healthy environment for learning. Communication between teachers, parents, and administrators is seamless, keeping me informed and involved in my children's education. Overall, I'm impressed by Pinnacle Academy's commitment to excellence and its dedication to helping students reach their full potential. I highly recommend this school to anyone seeking a nurturing, supportive, and academically rigorous environment for their child.... Read 50 reviews

Alum: I attended St. Anselm's for all 7 years: it was a very welcoming environment with rigorous but not unreasonably intense expectations being given to the student especially in consideration of how devoted the teachers are inside and outside of class to their students' success. I never had a problem when it came to getting in touch with a teacher for office hours. Athletics seem to be steadily improving at the Abbey in terms of the effort coaches and the administration put in and the performance/experiences of students. If you are in search of caring teachers, and a small-class-based, liberal arts school with exceptionally kind students, then this is the place for you. I really can't stress enough how connected the students are! The classics and religion courses at this school are rivaled by few and allow students hoping to pursue any major to have a strong foundation for college. As a Catholic school, this is a welcoming place for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.... Read 46 reviews

Parent: Our son is in his 4th year at Landon in the Lower School. From the moment our son started at Landon, he has thrived and had incredible pride for his school! I have seen his confidence raise as a direct result of his teachers, coaches and the staff at Landon holding him to high standards and always there to encourage him. We are also fortunate that our son has had the opportunity to be involved in theater productions and a robust music program in the lower school. The only change he has asked for is more salad options at lunch!... Read 67 reviews

Parent: This is an exceptional school and community. Leadership from the top exemplifies and prioritizes curiosity but also respect, kindness, and humility. The talented, passionate, and supportive teachers foster a community of enthusiastic and curious problem-solver students. Small class sizes help teachers assess each student’s individual abilities and promote a culture of collaboration rather than of competition. If an interpersonal issue arises between students, the teachers, counselor, and head of school promptly address the matter and help the children to resolve it and move forward. The school’s leadership recognizes that education, growth, and promoting mental health require meaningful time to be spent outside the classroom as well, so, in addition to afterschool clubs, they have sports teams, and every morning begins with an outdoor walk. This truly is the “village” we want to nurture and empower our children to go out into the world and make it a better place.... Read 36 reviews

Senior: I transferred in halfway through my highschool career, mostly for a new school environment, but also to help the lacrosse team succeed. I can say that I have way more educational opportunites, however the school culture is not the best, and unfortunately there is a lot of toxicity from students around campus. Although this is the case, I can say that I have always felt I am supported academically, and have been best prepared for college life and education. I would like to see administration and teachers take complaints more seriously and proviude change and comfort to those who feel they were targeted by other students on campus... Read 142 reviews

Alum: I had a fantastic experience at Poolesville High School. The courses offered in the Humanities program did a great job of preparing me for college-level writing and critical thinking-based courses, and most teachers are incredibly passionate about helping their students to succeed. My one critique would be that the arts/music programs at Poolesville are undervalued and undersupported by the administration and school community. There's only one music teacher, one art teacher, and one photography teacher, and humanities electives are frequently cut in exchange for more STEM-based electives. I understand that STEM electives are more popular with the student body, but it puts students interested in humanities in a tough spot (my friend had half his schedule cancelled senior year and had to scramble to find new classes).... Read 382 reviews

Parent: Stone Ridge has been a wonderful transition environment for my daughter. The social atmosphere is one that allowed for her to integrate and succeed with regards to friendships and student culture. The academics are certainly challenging but not to an extreme. Student resources are plentiful, but I did experience that my daughter struggled to get organized due to some teachers choosing not to follow the standards that were put in place. All in all the school is wonderful. Amazing athletics, decent food quality, beautiful campus, qualified teachers and faculty... Read 148 reviews

Parent: Hello, it is an honor to share my experience as a Field parent… Saying that we love the school would be an understatement. The way the school is organized and run, you will never feel “new” for more than a day. My son joined the school in 7th grade, I was skeptical on how well he would adjust. After just 2 weeks he said, “mom, I feel like I’ve been at the school for a long time.” The teachers are top notch in their field, students get an adequate amount of homework. The administrators respond promptly to any inquiries. A wide variety of sports and extracurricular clubs are available, such as for Dungeons and Dragons, which my son loves. There is also an excellent music program, where in just a few weeks my son has learned to play the drums for a school talent show! We truly appreciate the tight-knit community and the hands-on curriculum. If you are still undecided I encourage to visit the school.... Read 85 reviews

Senior: Attending St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School (SSSAS) has been the best decision in my life! The teachers are absolutely top-tier and are always able and excited to meet after school to review difficult concepts or to learn more about a specific part of the curriculum. The school’s approach to teaching as a Liberal Arts high school ensures that every student is well-rounded and prepared for college and beyond. In specific, our STEM, Latin, and English programs are all incredibly strong! The school’s culture is also fantastic: emphasizing community and genuine connections with others. In terms of activities to do outside of the classroom, we have a large amount of sports that people can participate in, as well as non-physical sports, such as Robotics (my current activity) and Stage One (our theatre production group). Finally, SSSAS's college counselors have been fantastic in helping me navigate the college process by helping me get applications in with plenty of time to spare.... Read 170 reviews

Alum: Very competitive atmosphere, while the academics excelled Whitman was a stressful school. Wide variety of extra circulars offered as well.... Read 282 reviews