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

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
• 9-12
• 450

Senior: TJ has many opportunities to get ahead - but only for those interested in science and technology. The student environment and abundant research labs appeal to those interested in studying engineering, biology, chemistry, and physics but don't offer anything for those who enjoy the humanities.

Due to the high level of rigor each class entails, the students are often under high stress. Sometimes, this pressure may lead to a cutthroat environment. However, in my experience, I've only found individuals willing to help.

The only issue I find with this school is the new administration. Many freedoms that we had when I entered this school no longer exist. The school used to allow us to eat anywhere during lunch, go anywhere during 8th period, and leave to use the restroom whenever we'd like. After Dr. Glazer left and in the years before, the administration has become more strict and has restricted the majority of these freedoms.
Read 450 Reviews

• A+

• 1,823 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sidwell Friends School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• PK, K-12
• 40

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 40 Reviews

• A+

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

Georgetown Day School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• PK, K-12
• 29

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 29 Reviews

• A+

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

National Cathedral School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• 4-12
• 41

• A+

• 585 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Albans School

• Private School
• WASHINGTON, DC
• 4-12
• 37

Senior: St. Albans changed my life for the better. I learned so many social skills and made very useful friendships. STA teaches people a very important lesson. The lesson of having your brother’s back. STA is an all boys school and that is why I say brothers. I grew up with 3 sisters and I was the youngest in my family. St. Albans gave me the opportunity to have 68 brothers in my class that I knew would always have my back no matter what situation I was in. So all in all, STA is a great school. Despite my shortcomings their academically it taught me how to work hard and thrive in a tough, competitive environment. The friendships I made there are friendships I will have for the rest of my life.
Read 37 Reviews

• A+

• 585 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
• 36

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 36 Reviews

• A+

• 651 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Poolesville High School

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
• 9-12
• 252

Senior: Poolesville High School is a tight-knit community that brings in students from all over the county. The opportunity to meet students from various backgrounds was amazing. I got the opportunity to grow as a student and a person. The teachers care for me and want to see me succeed. I was able to join many clubs and extracurriculars because of the various opportunities Poolesville presents. I would like to see Poolesville became a bigger school in the future , so even more students can come. If you have the opportunity to come to Poolesville, do not hesitate!
Read 252 Reviews

• A+

• 1,205 Students
• 19:1 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

Episcopal High School

• Private School
• Alexandria, VA
• 9-12
• 32

Alum: Episcopal High School is an amazing institution & great preparation for life. The high school excels in academics, athletics, facilities and administrators. The faculty & staff truly care about the students that attend & make it their goal to readily prepare high school students for successful college careers and beyond.
Read 32 Reviews

• A+

• 445 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Madeira School

• Private School
• McLean, VA
• 9-12
• 59

Alum: When I picture my "happy place," Madeira is it! I credit the school with shaping me into the woman I am today. I was able to be the truest version of myself while I attended Madeira. I was challenged academically, but in an environment where I felt comfortable to excel. The friends I made at Madeira have been lifelong friends--some were even bridesmaids in my wedding. The co-curriculum experience is also monumental. The internships I had as a junior and senior in high school shaped my college studies and eventual career path. If I had a daughter, without a shadow of a doubt, she would be a Madeira girl.
Read 59 Reviews

• A+

• 319 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Georgetown Preparatory School

• Private School
• North Bethesda, MD
• 9-12
• 46

Alum: There are several pros associated with this school: instilling a sense of purpose and becoming "Men for Others," is of utmost importance. Students are academically challenged from the start. The campus is incredible, facilities immaculate, and the history of the school is incredibly rich. I also really enjoyed the religious element; I most enjoyed "World Religions," where I learned about inclusivity and open-mindedness through carefully studying and understanding other religious systems and beliefs. The one negative for me was how conservative and non-diverse the school is; you will experience your fair share of rich kids. Your typical kid at Prep will spout whatever political/religious jargon their well-off parents spewed at home, without thinking about it critically and how policies/actions will affect "normal" people -- which can become quite hypocritical, given the school's motto: "Men for Others." Students of varying income levels and backgrounds need to be better incorporated.
Read 46 Reviews

• A+

• 496 Students
• 8:1 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

Winston Churchill High School

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
• 9-12
• 247

Senior: Churchill HS is a very competitive high school. This is good because it prepares students for college, and arms students with good problem-solving and communication skills. On the downside, this also creates a stressful culture where everybody has high expectations regarding grades, extracurriculars, and college acceptance. However, students are working incessantly to reduce this stress culture and create a strong support system for those who need one. In terms of resources, Churchill has an excellent media center, excellent teachers (for the most part), and a wide variety of clubs, sports, and arts programs to participate in. For all its flaws and slightly stressful environment, I love Churchill HS for all that it has helped me learn and grow, and for the incredible students and teachers I have met here.
Read 247 Reviews

• A+

• 2,093 Students
• 18:1 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+

• 915 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Walt Whitman High School

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
• 9-12
• 177

Senior: Whitman has a great faculty and great classes that help prepare your college and the real world. The teachers have such a wide variety of personalities, teaching styles, and difficulty which gives you experience in how to deal with different professors. The different types of classes you are able to take vary from psychology, personal finance, or anatomy. It is easy to get help in classes from teachers, the guidance office, and even from teacher assistants. The school is pretty inclusive, with programs such as the black student union, and best buddies. Overall, Walt Whitman High School is a great place!
Read 177 Reviews

• A+

• 1,977 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thomas S. Wootton High School

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
• 9-12
• 444

Sophomore: I am currently studying at Wootton, and I could never be than fortunate to be in this school. It had been named as one of the best schools in the state and the United States, if you were to study here. You would see why! The classroom sizes are from 15 to the largest class I have been 27. However, one thing I would like to see change is more community interaction and more school events, my school is currently lacking that and if they were to change that, it would make the learning environment a more lovable place then it already is.
Read 444 Reviews

• A+

• 2,206 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Anselm's Abbey School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• 6-12
• 24

Senior: Saint Anselm's Abbey School is one of the best things to ever happen to me. The school has an amazing environment that I have not felt outside of St. Anselm's. The faculty love what they do and love to always talk about their respective subjects and offer help to those that need it. The school has a phenomenal community that welcomes in everyone that enters. New students almost immediately become oriented with their new classmates and feel like part of the family the moment they enter the community. The brotherhood at the Abbey cannot be duplicated in high school. Everyone loves each other and seeks the best in each other. There is no bullying or issues like that at our school, there are no cliques or anything of the sort at our school. The sports programs welcome anyone to join, we do not recruit so all of our athletes come from within our walls. I love this school and I encourage anyone looking for a school please consider the Abbey.
Read 24 Reviews

• A+

• 265 Students
• 10:1 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

Richard Montgomery High School

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
• 9-12
• 451

Junior: I️ have had an amazing experience in RM’s IB Program! It is vigorous yet it is full of fun ways of learning that help make ones high school experience overall more exciting. One thing I️ would change is the amount of testing that students have to endure especially as an IB student. There are IB tests, AP tests, SAT, SAT subject tests, ACT and quarter tests. Standardized tests are not an accurate measure of ones intelligence and potential. Engagement, personality, determination, work ethic and experiences make up who you are. No test can accurately determine whether or not one should get into a specific college.
Read 451 Reviews

• A+

• 2,244 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McLean High School

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
• 9-12
• 224

Alum: McLean is academically challenging and full of passionate, dedicated staff members who positively impact their students greatly. I learned an immeasurable amount in my four years there and met some of the best people I know. That said, because McLean is so high achieving there is an intense and unreasonable amount of pressure placed on students and an unforgiving academic culture that can teach students to equate their grades to their self-worth. Also, the administration tends to give more money to sports (many of which are consistently unsuccessful) while other activities (debate, performing arts, etc.) are far more successful, yet far less funded.
Read 224 Reviews

• A+

• 2,103 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Walter Johnson High School

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
• 9-12
• 376

Senior: Walter Johnson high school has an incredibly welcoming community with great teachers, especially in advanced subjects such as AP Biology and AP chemistry; I feel well prepared to dive into my college career thanks to their guidance. WJ also has a wide range of clubs and sports you can participate in; I especially enjoyed being part of the Korean Pop dancing club, where we learned and performed all kinds choreography to celebrate Korean culture (and made new lifelong friends). WJ also has many opportunities for career development. Being able to include a Pharmacy internship as a part of my schedule has really solidified my career interests and professional skills. WJ gives every student the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Read 376 Reviews

• A+

• 2,289 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The School Without Walls High School

• District of Columbia Public Schools, DC
• 9-12
• 346

Alum: People have always said that Walls was a challenging school and they are right. The collegiate environment, the rigorous course load, and the opportunities that arise at Walls are nearly unmatched in the city. The culture of Walls allows students from all corners of DC to break down any educational barriers and succeed. The school is a refreshing pool of intellectuals, leaders, and talented individuals. The orchestra/Jazz band, art department, and sports teams are on the rise. There are a ton of clubs to match any teen's varying interest. I will not lie and say that Walls doesn't come without its fair share of struggles. However, the stress, tears, and sleepless nights definitely prepare students for college, which (if you ask most Walls alum) is almost a breeze. Walls is definitely demanding, but it is well worth it in the end. Go Penguins!
Read 346 Reviews

• A+

• 589 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Gonzaga College High School

• Private School
• Washington, DC
• 9-12
• 69

Alum: I owe my life’s success to the Gonzaga College High School.I graduated from Gonzaga in 1977. After eight years of public school in DC, I went to Gonzaga and it did miraculous things for me academically, culturally and spiritually. I will always be in debt to the big G. It really does produce men for others. EAGLES FLY HIGH!
Read 69 Reviews

• A+

• 960 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio