For the 2026 school year, there are 1,041 private schools serving 153,923 students in Virginia (there are 2,138 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 $15,526 for elementary schools and $18,727 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 80% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 31% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (VA)
US
# Schools
1,041 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
153,923 Students
5,700,153 Students
% Average Students of Color
31%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
14,668 Teachers
508,036 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
1228
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$17,336
$14,882
Average Summer Program Cost
$1,087
$1,137
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$8,804
$7,141
Average Acceptance Rate
80%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$45.97 million
$61.9 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.65
# American Indian Students
492 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
8,945 Students
265,082 Students
% Asian Students
6%
5%
# Hispanic Students
6,676 Students
507,336 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
9%
# Black Students
11,979 Students
416,665 Students
% Black Students
8%
7%
# White Students
73,423 Students
2,933,309 Students
% White Students
49%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
370 Students
20,067 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
48,236 Students
1,471,980 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 1,041 private schools are located in Virginia.
How much do private schools cost in Virginia?
The average private school tuition in Virginia is $15,526 for elementary schools and $18,727 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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