The Best Private Schools in Fairfax Station, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Fairfax Station. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Oakcrest School
Independent Catholic School
Oakcrest School is an independent Catholic school for girls in grades 6-12 that serves families throughout Northern Virginia, including Fairfax Station. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with particular strengths in STEM fields and leadership development. The personalized approach includes advisory programs and individualized college counseling. The recently constructed 26-acre campus features advanced science laboratories, innovation spaces, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. Oakcrest emphasizes character formation and intellectual development within a supportive all-girls environment, with graduates consistently attending selective colleges and universities.
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Flint Hill School
Independent School
Flint Hill School is a premier independent JK-12 school serving the Northern Virginia area, including Fairfax Station. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes averaging 14 students. Notable features include state-of-the-art STEM facilities, comprehensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The campus spans 50 acres with modern academic buildings, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. Flint Hill emphasizes character education and community engagement while maintaining strong college placement records with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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The Langley School
Independent School
The Langley School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from preschool through 8th grade, with many families from Fairfax Station. The school focuses on whole-child education with a balanced approach to academics, arts, and character development. Features include specialized STEAM labs, Spanish language immersion starting in preschool, and extensive performing arts programs. The 10-acre campus includes modern classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, and athletic facilities. Langley emphasizes social-emotional learning and prepares students for success in top secondary schools throughout the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Fairfax Station, Virginia
What are the primary private school options serving families in Fairfax Station, Virginia, and what are their educational philosophies?
Fairfax Station itself is a residential community, so many of the top private schools are located in nearby towns within Fairfax County. The most prominent include Flint Hill School (Oakton, JK-12, college preparatory with a focus on innovation and ethical leadership), The Langley School (McLean, Preschool-8th grade, known for its developmental approach and strong sense of community), and Oakcrest School (McLean, all-girls 6-12, offering a character-based liberal arts education). Additionally, many families consider parochial schools like St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic School in Fairfax. The philosophies range from progressive to classical, so visiting each campus is crucial to finding the right fit for your child.
How does tuition for private schools in the Fairfax Station, VA, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in this affluent Northern Virginia region is at the higher end of the national scale. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $35,000-$45,000 for upper schools and $25,000-$35,000 for lower and middle schools at the leading independent institutions. Virginia does not offer state-funded voucher or tax-credit scholarship programs for private K-12 education. However, all major schools like Flint Hill, Langley, and Oakcrest have substantial need-based financial aid programs funded by their endowments. It's essential to apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are limited. Some schools also offer merit scholarships for entering high school students.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Fairfax Station that leverage the local Washington D.C. area resources?
Schools in this region excel at leveraging their proximity to the nation's capital. Many offer specialized programs like competitive Model UN, intensive STEM partnerships with local tech companies and federal agencies, and renowned arts programs with visits to D.C. museums and theaters. For example, Flint Hill School's "Husky Labs" and entrepreneurship programs connect students with the Northern Virginia tech corridor. Oakcrest School offers a Washington Program with guest speakers from policy institutes and government. Furthermore, interscholastic athletic competitions are robust within the prestigious Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) and Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC), which include many local private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Fairfax Station vicinity, and how can parents prepare?
The admission process for top Fairfax area private schools is highly structured and competitive. The timeline generally begins in the fall, a full year before desired entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (September-November), submitting applications by early January (often with a non-refundable fee), scheduling student visits and assessments (January-February), and receiving decisions in mid-March. For younger grades, assessments are play-based; for older students, they include standardized tests (ISEE/SSAT) and interviews. Given the competition, parents are advised to start research 18-24 months in advance, ensure their child is academically prepared, and apply to a balanced list of 3-5 schools.
For families in Fairfax Station considering the choice, how do the outcomes and environments of local private schools compare to the highly-rated Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)?
This is a central consideration. FCPS is consistently ranked among the top public school districts in the U.S., offering rigorous academics (including IB and AP programs), extensive resources, and diversity. The choice often hinges on specific needs and values. Private schools like Flint Hill, Langley, and Oakcrest typically offer smaller class sizes (often 12-18 students vs. 25+ in FCPS), more individualized attention, distinct mission-driven education (e.g., single-sex, religious, or specific pedagogical approaches), and often more extensive arts and niche athletic programs. The private school environment can foster a tight-knit community. The decision usually comes down to whether the investment aligns with a desire for a specific educational philosophy or community that the excellent, but larger and more standardized, public system may not provide.