#1 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia
Private schools in District of Columbia with the highest overall grades. Top 38 of 38 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia
Sidwell Friends School
Quaker (Friends) school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Washingon, DC
A+Overall grade1,122 students8 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#9 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#10 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#11 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#12 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#13 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#14 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#15 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
Sheridan School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Washington, DC
A+Overall grade221 students7 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#17 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
Parkmont School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 72% of independent schools nationwide
Washington, DC
AOverall grade70 students6 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#19 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#20 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#21 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#22 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#23 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
#24 Best Private Schools in District of Columbia
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
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.