For the 2026 school year, there are 1,033 private schools serving 153,820 students in Virginia (there are 2,139 public schools, serving 1,257,026 students). 11% of all K-12 students in Virginia attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $15,561 for elementary schools and $18,733 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Virginia include Powhatan School, The Madeira School, and Fairfax Christian School.
The average acceptance rate is 79% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 31% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (VA)
US
# Schools
1,033 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
153,820 Students
5,709,608 Students
% Average Students of Color
31%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
14,617 Teachers
508,013 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
54%
55%
Average Class Size
14 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
12 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1227
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$17,376
$14,889
Average Summer Program Cost
$1,103
$1,154
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$8,819
$7,118
Average Acceptance Rate
79%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$46.06 million
$61.83 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.65
# American Indian Students
492 Students
30,180 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
8,945 Students
265,302 Students
% Asian Students
6%
5%
# Hispanic Students
6,676 Students
507,894 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
9%
# Black Students
11,982 Students
417,176 Students
% Black Students
8%
7%
# White Students
73,428 Students
2,937,451 Students
% White Students
49%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
370 Students
22,254 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
48,109 Students
1,473,886 Students
% of Others Students
32%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
10 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Virginia Private Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Virginia?
The top-ranked private schools in Virginia include Powhatan School, The Madeira School, and Fairfax Christian School.
How many private schools are located in Virginia?
There are 1,033 private schools are located in Virginia.
How much do private schools cost in Virginia?
The average private school tuition in Virginia is $15,561 for elementary schools and $18,733 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Virginia?
Approximately 31% of students in Virginia private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Virginia go to private school?
11% of all K-12 students in Virginia attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Virginia?
Which private schools in Virginia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Virginia include: Rivermont School - Alleghany Highlands vs. Boys Home of Virginia, Gloucester Montessori School vs. Ware Academy, Love Covenant Christian School vs. Amelia Academy
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