#25 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Merritt Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Fairfax
Fairfax, VA
AOverall grade149 students8 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Virginia
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Virginia. Top 50 of 70 schools.
#26 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
North Branch School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 67% of independent schools in Virginia
Afton, VA
AOverall grade98 students6 students per teacher
#27 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
North Cross School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
AOverall grade536 students7 students per teacher
#28 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Sabot School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 43% since 2011–12
Richmond, VA
AOverall grade162 students7 students per teacher
#29 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Ideaventions Academy for Mathematics and Science
Independent school · Grades 2–12
Growing: enrollment up 97% since 2017–18
Reston, VA
AOverall grade67 students6 students per teacher
#30 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Courthouse Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Growing: enrollment up 165% since 2011–12
Virginia Beach, VA
AOverall grade106 students8 students per teacher
#31 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Wakefield County Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Huntly, VA
AOverall grade172 students7 students per teacher
#32 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Alexandria Country Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
The largest independent school in Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
AOverall grade199 students7 students per teacher
#33 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Kenwood School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Growing: enrollment up 35% since 2011–12
Annandale, VA
A-Overall grade65 students8 students per teacher
#34 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Hampton Roads Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Newport News, VA
B+Overall grade571 students8 students per teacher
#35 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
King Abdullah Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Herndon, VA
B+Overall grade913 students6 students per teacher
#36 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
The Madeira School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in McLean
McLean, VA
B+Overall gradeAll girls335 students10 students per teacher
#37 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Norfolk Academy
Independent school · Grades 1–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Virginia
Norfolk, VA
B+Overall grade1,207 students11 students per teacher
#38 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
The Steward School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Richmond, VA
B+Overall grade690 students9 students per teacher
#39 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Orchard House School
Independent school · Grades 5–8
Serving families in Richmond since at least 2011
Richmond, VA
B+Overall gradeAll girls80 students9 students per teacher
#40 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Charlottesville Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 87% since 2013–14
Charlottesville, VA
B+Overall grade161 students7 students per teacher
#41 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Christopher Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Growing: enrollment up 45% since 2011–12
Portsmouth, VA
B+Overall grade133 students9 students per teacher
#42 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Field School of Charlottesville
Independent school · Grades 5–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Crozet, VA
B+Overall gradeAll boys80 students7 students per teacher
#43 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Fuqua School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Farmville, VA
B+Overall grade227 students9 students per teacher
#44 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Norfolk Collegiate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Norfolk, VA
B+Overall grade503 students8 students per teacher
#45 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Collegiate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Virginia
Richmond, VA
B+Overall grade1,623 students10 students per teacher
#46 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
The Linder Academy
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Alexandria, VA
BOverall grade73 students8 students per teacher
#47 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Congressional School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Falls Church
Falls Church, VA
BOverall grade329 students9 students per teacher
#48 Best Independent Schools in Virginia
Thales Academy Glen Allen
Independent school · Grades K–5
The only independent school in Glen Allen
Glen Allen, VA
BOverall grade80 students11 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.