The Best Private Schools in Casanova, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Casanova. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Highland School
Independent
The Highland School is a highly-regarded independent school located just 10 miles from Casanova in Warrenton. Founded in 1976, this progressive school serves students from preschool through 8th grade with a focus on hands-on, experiential learning. The school features a 14-acre campus with modern facilities including science labs, art studios, and extensive outdoor learning spaces. Their curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development through project-based learning and arts integration. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, allowing for personalized attention. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and strong sense of community.
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Wakefield School
Independent
Located approximately 15 minutes from Casanova in The Plains, Wakefield School is a prestigious college-preparatory school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded in 1972, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 18 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM curriculum. The 75-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, technology centers, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. Wakefield emphasizes character education and leadership development alongside academic excellence, with a strong track record of graduates attending top-tier universities. The school community is known for its close-knit atmosphere and commitment to developing well-rounded students.
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Foxcroft School
Independent
Foxcroft School, located about 20 minutes from Casanova in Middleburg, is a premier all-girls boarding and day school serving grades 9-12. Founded in 1914, this historic institution combines academic rigor with a supportive, empowering environment for young women. The school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with 19 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM programs, and unique offerings like their renowned equestrian program. The 500-acre campus features exceptional facilities including modern classrooms, science and technology centers, riding arenas, and athletic complexes. Foxcroft is particularly noted for its leadership development programs, global education opportunities, and strong college counseling that prepares graduates for success at competitive universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Casanova, Virginia
What are the primary private school options serving families in and around Casanova, Virginia, and what are their educational models?
Casanova, located in Fauquier County, is notably served by several prestigious private schools, though most are situated in the surrounding countryside. The top options include The Highland School (Pre-K-8) in Warrenton, emphasizing experiential, hands-on learning; Wakefield School (Pre-K-12) in The Plains, known for its rigorous classical college-preparatory curriculum; and Foxcroft School (9-12) in Middleburg, a historic all-girls boarding and day school with a strong equestrian and leadership program. While Casanova itself is a rural community, these schools are the primary independent institutions that local families consider, each offering a distinct educational philosophy within a 15-20 minute drive.
How does tuition at private schools in the Casanova, VA, area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for day students at schools like Wakefield and The Highland School typically ranges from approximately $20,000 to $30,000 per year for the upper grades, which is generally at or above the Virginia private school average due to their low student-to-teacher ratios and specialized programs. Foxcroft, as a boarding school, has a higher comprehensive fee. Importantly, all these schools offer need-based financial aid, and some have merit scholarship opportunities. Virginia also has no state-funded voucher or tax-credit scholarship programs that directly reduce private school tuition, so aid is primarily sourced from the schools' own endowments and fundraising. Families are encouraged to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admissions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools near Casanova that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Casanova area deeply integrate the region's rural and equestrian culture into their programs. Foxcroft School is internationally recognized for its riding program, featuring an on-campus equestrian center. Wakefield School and The Highland School both utilize their extensive campus lands for environmental science and outdoor education. Furthermore, the proximity to Washington, D.C., (about an hour away) allows for robust history and government field trips, internships, and guest speaker programs that are a hallmark of the college preparatory curriculum at these schools. This blend of pastoral setting with access to metropolitan resources is a defining characteristic.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Wakefield or The Highland School for a family living in Casanova?
The enrollment process for these selective schools begins early. For the following academic year, applications often open in September, with priority deadlines in January or February for the main round of admissions. The process typically includes a submitted application, student assessments or entrance exams, school records, teacher recommendations, and a required family interview and student visit. Given the small class sizes and competitive nature, especially for entry points like Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades, families in Casanova are advised to start researching and visiting schools at least a year in advance. Rolling admissions may be available if spaces remain after the priority deadline.
For a family in rural Casanova, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local Fauquier County Public Schools and a private independent school?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. Fauquier County Public Schools provide a solid, tuition-free education, but families in Casanova may seek private options for significantly smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students), a specific pedagogical approach (classical, experiential, or single-sex), or specialized programs in the arts, sciences, or equestrian studies not available in the public system. Transportation is a major practical consideration, as private schools require personal or carpool arrangements, whereas public schools provide busing. The investment in private school tuition is often driven by a desire for a consistent, mission-driven community and a tailored educational path from an early age through high school.
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