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Best District Of Columbia Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 99 private schools serving 19,193 students in District Of Columbia (there are 244 public schools, serving 92,092 students). 17% of all K-12 students in District Of Columbia attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $29,615 for elementary schools and $35,886 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in District Of Columbia include Holy Trinity School, National Cathedral School, and Gonzaga College High School.
The average acceptance rate is 49% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 48% and the student-teacher ratio is 8:1.
46% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Overview

This State (DC)
US
# Schools
99 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
19,193 Students
5,709,187 Students
% Average Students of Color
48%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
2,168 Teachers
507,757 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
63%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
18 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1359
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
30
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$27,957
$15,012
Average Summer Program Cost
$4,751
$1,152
Average % on Financial Aid
34%
34%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$18,143
$7,073
Average Acceptance Rate
49%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$31.34 million
$60.79 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.71
0.65
# American Indian Students
16 Students
30,181 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
531 Students
265,374 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
1,111 Students
508,007 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
9%
# Black Students
4,765 Students
417,245 Students
% Black Students
26%
7%
# White Students
7,628 Students
2,938,314 Students
% White Students
42%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
13 Students
22,255 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
4,117 Students
1,471,961 Students
% of Others Students
23%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
14 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked District Of Columbia Private Schools by County (2026)

Popular cities: Washington (99 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in District Of Columbia?
The top-ranked private schools in District Of Columbia include Holy Trinity School, National Cathedral School, and Gonzaga College High School.
How many private schools are located in District Of Columbia?
There are 99 private schools are located in District Of Columbia.
How much do private schools cost in District Of Columbia?
The average private school tuition in District Of Columbia is $29,615 for elementary schools and $35,886 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in District Of Columbia?
Approximately 48% of students in District Of Columbia private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in District Of Columbia go to private school?
17% of all K-12 students in District Of Columbia attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in District Of Columbia?
46% of private schools in District Of Columbia are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in District Of Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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