For the 2026 school year, there are 1,038 private schools serving 152,648 students in Virginia (there are 2,136 public schools, serving 1,257,463 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 $15,552 for elementary schools and $18,779 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Virginia include The Madeira School, Episcopal High School, and BASIS Independent McLean.
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
1,038 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
152,648 Students
5,691,246 Students
% Average Students of Color
31%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
14,643 Teachers
508,046 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
55%
55%
Average Class Size
14 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
12 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1229
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$17,361
$14,923
Average Summer Program Cost
$1,123
$1,149
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$8,875
$7,216
Average Acceptance Rate
79%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$45.97 million
$62.86 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.65
# American Indian Students
492 Students
29,824 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
8,943 Students
264,948 Students
% Asian Students
6%
5%
# Hispanic Students
6,676 Students
506,932 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
9%
# Black Students
11,977 Students
415,837 Students
% Black Students
8%
7%
# White Students
73,422 Students
2,930,905 Students
% White Students
49%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
370 Students
20,066 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
47,717 Students
1,472,563 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 The Madeira School, Episcopal High School, and BASIS Independent McLean.
How many private schools are located in Virginia?
There are 1,038 private schools are located in Virginia.
How much do private schools cost in Virginia?
The average private school tuition in Virginia is $15,552 for elementary schools and $18,779 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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