The Howard Gardner School

The Howard Gardner School is an intentionally small, independent, experiential school serving grades 6-12 on two campuses.
Our mission is to help bright, creative, non-traditional learners use their unique strengths to thrive academically, intellectually, and emotionally.
Our Alexandria Campus is home to both middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) programs.
Nestled in Rose Hill, the Alexandria Campus provides us with indoor and outdoor classrooms, laboratory spaces, and our beloved "tech shed," where we so often see the sparks and arcs of students bringing their projects to life.In the Fall of 2022, we opened our Fairfax-Loudoun Campus in Loudoun County, just east of Dulles Airport on the Route-28 corridor.
Because of added demand, we have expanded our cohort to include a new middle school program on the Fairfax-Loudoun Campus.
We are now serving bright, creative, non-traditional learners in both middle school and high school on both campuses.
While we are fortunate to call these remarkable places home, we also spend a substantial amount of time in the world, exploring the vast cultural and environmental resources at our fingertips in this region.

Quick Stats (2024)

Top Rankings

The Howard Gardner School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Various
Year Founded
2004

Student Body

Total Students
56 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
40%
State avg.: 31%
Students by Grade
The Howard Gardner School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
14 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
92%
Average Class Size
8 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
There are no additional fees. Tuition cost covers all programming.
% on Financial Aid
40%
Admissions Director
Erick Johnson
Admissions Associate
Mary Rodihan

Sports

Total Sports Offered
5 sports

School Notes

  • Learning at HGS is active and hands-on, based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, rooted in a tradition of progressive education, and clearly related to students own lives.
  • Cooperative learning plays an important role in facilitating learning and group skills.
  • Teaching of course content is fully integrated with weekly field studies trips throughout the area, and internships in the student's field of interest.
  • The school environment and procedures are based on well-researched principles of adolescent development. The most fundamental tasks in adolescence are establishing identity and developing relationships. So, we make sure that our curriculum feels relevant to our students, that their internships help them explore different aspects of themselves, and we include a lot of group work so they can work on their relationship skills.
  • We also believe in making learning fun.The Howard Gardner School features: enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, very small classes, exciting, active hands-on learning, creative, college-prep curriculum, experienced college counseling, support for different learning styles, reduced homework load, 10:00 A.M. start time for high school, 9:30 A.M. start time for middle school.
Please see our website for additional information: www.TheHowardGardnerSchool.org
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Howard Gardner School cost?
The Howard Gardner School's tuition is approximately $41,240 for private students.
What sports does The Howard Gardner School offer?
The Howard Gardner School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Paddle Tennis, Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee.
What is The Howard Gardner School's ranking?
The Howard Gardner School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for The Howard Gardner School?
The application deadline for The Howard Gardner School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

Endorse The Howard Gardner School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
Endorse this school:

Recent Articles

Private School Search Tips
Private School Search Tips
We look at several ways you can use to search for private schools. Whether you are beginning the search process for a school for your child or just want to find out more about particular schools, we offer some tips and tricks to make searching more efficient.
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Discover the essential ingredients that drive academic success and cultivate a thriving school community.
All About JROTC
All About JROTC
Explore the multifaceted advantages of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs in private schools. Delve into how JROTC cultivates leadership, discipline, and citizenship skills among students, contributing to their holistic development and future success.

Quick Stats (2024)

Request Information

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Alexandria, VA is $26,772 for elementary schools and $40,120 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Alexandria, VA is 68% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

Quick Links