The average cost of private school in the state of Virginia, according to the website Private School Review, is approximately $13,668 per year. That’s about $10,800 annually for elementary school and $16,170 annually for high school. Bear in mind, however, that the cost of living in the greater Metro-D.C. area, which includes Northern Virginia, is about 40 percent higher than the national average. Expect average tuition costs locally to be higher than state averages. Here are a look at costs and some notes on financial aid at a selection of area private schools.
Madeira
$47,310 (day comprehensive fee); $62,000 (boarding comprehensive fee). Financial aid is based on need, and will take into account the assets of both living parents, as well as stepparents, if applicable. Students who “demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and citizenship” may be eligible for the Madeira Merit Scholarship.
Randolph-Macon Academy
$20,069-$54,251, depending on whether the student is day or boarding, middle or upper school, a U.S. citizen or an international student. Several scholarships, generally covering about 10 percent of annual tuition, are available for application. Families requesting financial aid must complete the Parents Financial Statement (PFS) with the School and Student Service for Financial Aid of the National Association of Independent Schools (common to many schools). Admissions decisions are mailed out prior to financial aid requests being submitted.
Gesher Jewish Day School
$20,470 (K-Eighth); $11,500 (Junior Kindergarten). Financial assistance is confidential and need-based. Some tuition flexibility may be offered to families with multiple children attending.
Foxcroft School
$45,600 (day); $54,000 (boarding). Financial aid is need-based for new and returning students. Several merit scholarships, including the $25,000 Ruth T. Bedford ‘32 Merit Scholarship for the Arts and the multiyear Mars Scholarships Merit Awards, are available to qualifying students.
Loudoun Country Day School
$6,750-$27,995, ranging from thrice-weekly to eighth grade, taking into account number of children at the school. Assistance is available to families with a demonstrated need.
Pinecrest School
$7,750 (half-day preschool); $15,850 (K-Sixth). Families with more than one child enrolled will be given a 15 percent discount for each additional child. Financial aid is available for families of K-sixth students, and is applicable to tuition only.
Flint Hill School
$33,000-$41,025, ranging from junior kindergarten to upper school. Tuition includes the cost of an iPad or MacBook Air for each student. Financial aid is need-based, and Flint Hill is “committed to enrolling a student body that represents varying economic backgrounds.”
Trinity Christian School
$13,200-$30,250, depending on upper or lower school, domestic or international student. Financial aid applications are processed through FAST Suite, an online impartial analysis system, before being turned over to a committee of the Board of Trustees. Aid cannot exceed 50 percent of the family’s total tuition expense and applies only to tuition, not to fees.
Wakefield School
$5,550-$28,575, ranging from junior kindergarten to 12th grade. Wakefield offers an Indexed Tuition program, which customizes each family’s tuition rate to their ability to contribute to educational expense. A portion of aid, up to 5 percent of tuition per family, is set aside for families of multiple students who may not qualify for financial aid under standard guidelines.
LePort Montessori School
$1,145-$2,395 (monthly), ranging from infants through elementary school. Income is only one factor that goes into making financial aid decisions. Other factors include number of children enrolled, cost of living and your child’s ability to make a contribution to the classroom. Financial aid typically ranges from 5 to 40 percent of tuition, and is awarded to 50 to 80 percent of families who apply. Families are encouraged to apply for aid early, even before enrollment decisions are made.
