#1 Best Private High 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 High Schools in District of Columbia
Private high schools in District of Columbia with the highest overall grades. Top 13 of 13 schools.
#2 Best Private High 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
#3 Best Private High 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
#4 Best Private High 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
#5 Best Private High 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
#6 Best Private High 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
#7 Best Private High 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
#8 Best Private High 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
#9 Best Private High 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
#10 Best Private High 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
#11 Best Private High 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
#12 Best Private High Schools in District of Columbia
Archbishop Carroll High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Washington, DC
B+Overall grade384 students13 students per teacher
#13 Best Private High 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
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.