#1 Best Private Elementary 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 Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Private schools in District of Columbia with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 25 of 25 schools.
#2 Best Private Elementary 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 Elementary 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 Elementary 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
#5 Best Private Elementary 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
#6 Best Private Elementary 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
#7 Best Private Elementary 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
#8 Best Private Elementary 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
#9 Best Private Elementary 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
#10 Best Private Elementary 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
#11 Best Private Elementary 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
#12 Best Private Elementary 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
#13 Best Private Elementary 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
#14 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
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
#15 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
St. Thomas More Catholic
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 69% of Catholic schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
B+Overall grade153 students7 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's
Jewish day school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Jewish school in Washington
Washington, DC
BOverall grade449 students8 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
St. Augustine Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Washington since at least 2011
Washington, DC
BOverall grade138 students10 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Our Lady of Victory School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Washington since at least 2011
Washington, DC
BOverall grade186 students12 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Washington School for Girls
Independent Catholic school · Grades 3–8
One of 18 Catholic schools in Washington
Washington, DC
BOverall gradeAll girls105 students9 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Sacred Heart School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Washington since at least 2011
Washington, DC
BOverall grade186 students12 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Beauvoir the National Cathedral Elementary School
Episcopal school · Grades Pre-K–3
One of 7 Christian schools in Washington
Washington, DC
BOverall grade313 students15 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Cornerstone Schools of Washington, DC
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
One of 7 Christian schools in Washington
Washington, DC
B-Overall grade178 students11 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Caroline Education Community International Psa
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 45% since 2017–18
Washington, DC
B-Overall grade1,390 students16 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
Blessed Sacrament School
Parish school · Grades K–8
One of the 3 largest Catholic schools in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC
B-Overall grade502 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.