The Best Private Schools in Henrico, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Henrico. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Collegiate School
Independent
Collegiate School is a premier independent day school serving the Richmond metropolitan area, including Henrico County. With a perfect 5.0 rating, it offers a rigorous academic program featuring both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate curricula. The school boasts exceptional facilities including state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and comprehensive college counseling. The school emphasizes whole-child development through extensive extracurricular offerings in athletics, arts, and community service programs.
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St. Christopher's School
Episcopal
St. Christopher's School is a highly-regarded Episcopal all-boys school serving the Greater Richmond area, including Henrico families. With nearly 50 reviews and a 4.8 rating, the school is known for its strong academic foundation combined with character development. The campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and innovative learning spaces. The school offers a comprehensive AP curriculum, robust STEM programs, and emphasizes leadership development. St. Christopher's maintains a sibling relationship with St. Catherine's School, providing coordinated educational opportunities while maintaining separate campuses and programs.
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Veritas School
Classical Christian Education
Veritas School offers a distinctive classical Christian education to students in Henrico and the surrounding Richmond area. With a 4.8 rating from over 30 reviews, the school provides a rigorous academic program rooted in the classical tradition, including Latin instruction and Great Books curriculum. The school emphasizes critical thinking, rhetorical skills, and character formation within a Christian worldview. Facilities include dedicated classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic spaces. Veritas maintains small class sizes and highly qualified faculty, with strong college placement records and a focus on developing well-rounded students through comprehensive arts and athletics programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Henrico, Virginia
What are the main types of private schools available in Henrico, Virginia, and how do they differ?
Henrico County offers a diverse range of private school options, primarily concentrated in the western part of the county near Richmond. The top tier includes prestigious, long-established independent schools like Collegiate School (coeducational K-12) and St. Christopher's School (all-boys, JK-12), which offer rigorous college-preparatory curricula, extensive resources, and competitive athletics. There are also strong faith-based options, such as the Catholic St. Mary's Catholic School, and classical Christian schools like Veritas School, which follows a Socratic, humanities-focused model. The key differences lie in educational philosophy, religious affiliation, single-gender vs. coed environments, and campus culture. Henrico's proximity to Richmond also means many families consider top city schools, creating a competitive but rich educational landscape.
How does the tuition for private schools in Henrico, VA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at Henrico's leading private schools is significant and often above the Virginia independent school average due to their resources and reputations. For the 2024-25 academic year, tuition at schools like Collegiate and St. Christopher's ranges from approximately $30,000 to $35,000 for upper grades. Veritas School is somewhat lower, often in the mid-teens. Compared to the state average for private elementary and secondary schools (roughly $12,000-$22,000), Henrico's top schools are at a premium. However, they also offer substantial need-based financial aid. It's common for these schools to have multi-million dollar aid budgets, with many families receiving grants that significantly reduce the cost. Virginia also has no tax-credit scholarship program, so aid is primarily direct from the schools. Early consultation with the admissions and financial aid offices is crucial.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in Henrico, Virginia?
The process for Henrico's most sought-after private schools is highly structured and begins early, often 12-18 months before the desired entry date. For fall entry, key steps include: attending open houses (typically September-November), submitting applications by January deadlines (with some schools having earlier deadlines for siblings/legacies), and completing student assessments and interviews in the winter. Admissions notifications are usually released in March. For kindergarten entry at schools like Collegiate or St. Christopher's, families frequently apply two years in advance. It's important to note that while Henrico County has many options, the competition for spots, especially in entry grades, is intense. Engaging with the school through tours and events is strongly recommended to demonstrate genuine interest.
Are there unique academic or extracurricular programs offered by Henrico private schools that leverage the local area?
Yes, Henrico's location as part of the greater Richmond metro area provides unique opportunities that its private schools actively incorporate. Many schools have robust partnerships with local institutions like the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for advanced coursework, internships, and arts education. Environmental and historical programs are enriched by access to the James River park system and Richmond's extensive historical sites. Schools like Veritas integrate the classical tradition with local civic engagement. Furthermore, the concentration of corporate and governmental organizations in the Richmond area facilitates unique senior projects, mentorship programs, and STEM partnerships that are a distinct advantage for Henrico-based private school students.
For a family moving to Henrico, what are the key considerations when choosing between the highly-rated public school system and a private school?
This is a central decision for Henrico families. The county's public schools, like Godwin, Deep Run, and Mills Godwin High Schools, are consistently highly ranked in Virginia, offering strong academics, diverse AP/IB programs, and significant extracurriculars at no tuition cost. Choosing private education in Henrico often hinges on several factors: desire for a specific educational philosophy (e.g., classical, religious); smaller class sizes and more individualized attention; different campus cultures and traditions (like the single-gender environment at St. Christopher's); and often, a more predictable feeder pattern from kindergarten through 12th grade, avoiding Henrico's public school rezoning processes. The decision typically involves weighing the financial commitment against these perceived benefits, as well as considering the convenience of location, as Henrico's top private schools are not evenly distributed throughout the county.
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