#1 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Sidwell Friends School
Quaker (Friends) school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest Christian school in Washington
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade1,129 students8 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Private schools in Washington, DC with the highest overall grades. Top 37 of 37 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Lowell School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools nationwide
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade270 students4 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
St. Anthony Catholic School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 92% of Catholic schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade195 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
One of the 3 largest Catholic schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A+Overall gradeAll girls512 students11 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Capitol Hill Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of independent schools nationwide
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade221 students4 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
National Cathedral School
Episcopal school · Grades 4–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Washington, DC
A+Overall gradeAll girls597 students8 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Annunciation Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 85% of Catholic schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade130 students6 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Washington International School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 11 independent schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade846 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Edmund Burke School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade315 students8 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
St. Peter School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of Catholic schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade210 students7 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Sidwell Friends School
Quaker (Friends) school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade1,123 students9 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
The Field School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade351 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
St. Anselm's Abbey School
Diocesan school · Grades 6–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Washington
Washington, DC
A+Overall gradeAll boys224 students6 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Sheridan School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade221 students7 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
Episcopal school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 74% of Christian schools nationwide
Washington, DC
AOverall grade424 students7 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Parkmont School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 72% of independent schools nationwide
Washington, DC
AOverall grade70 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
The School for Ethics and Global Leadership
Alternative school · Grades 11–12
Smaller classes than 66% of independent schools nationwide
Washington, DC
AOverall grade143 students5 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Aidan Montessori School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–6
One of the most diverse private schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
AOverall grade75 students8 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Washington Jesuit Academy
Independent Catholic school · Grades 4–8
Growing: enrollment up 82% since 2011–12
Washington, DC
AOverall gradeAll boys138 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
St. Jerome Institute
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 79% of Catholic schools nationwide
Washington, DC
AOverall grade61 students9 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Templeton Academy
Alternative school · Grades 6–12
One of the most diverse private schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
A-Overall grade79 students9 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Holy Trinity School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Washington since at least 2011
Washington, DC
A-Overall grade315 students9 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
St. Johns College High School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
The largest of 18 Catholic schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
B+Overall grade1,794 students20 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in Washington, DC
Christian Family Montessori
Christian (nondenominational) · Montessori · Grades Pre-K–6
Serving families in Washington since at least 2011
Washington, DC
B+Overall grade67 students12 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.