The Best Private Schools in Middleburg, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Middleburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Loudoun Country Day School
Independent
Located in nearby Leesburg, Loudoun Country Day School serves families throughout Loudoun County including Middleburg. This coeducational independent school provides education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade with a focus on developing well-rounded students. The school features a comprehensive curriculum that balances academic rigor with character development, offering specialized programs in science, technology, and the arts. LCDS maintains small class sizes and emphasizes individualized learning approaches. The campus includes modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities, creating an environment that fosters both academic excellence and personal growth.
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The Nysmith School for the Gifted
Independent
The Nysmith School serves gifted students from throughout Northern Virginia, including Middleburg families seeking advanced educational opportunities. Founded in 1984, this private school specializes in meeting the needs of academically gifted children from preschool through eighth grade. The curriculum is significantly accelerated and enriched, featuring advanced mathematics, comprehensive science laboratories, robotics programs, and extensive technology integration. Nysmith maintains a low student-teacher ratio and employs educators specifically trained in gifted education. The school's innovative approach includes hands-on learning, project-based curriculum, and opportunities for students to work at their own accelerated pace while developing critical thinking skills.
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The Foxcroft School
Independent
The Foxcroft School is a prestigious all-girls college preparatory boarding and day school located directly in Middleburg. Founded in 1914, this historic institution offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and personalized attention. The 500-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts center, riding program, and extensive athletic facilities. Known for its strong academic reputation, Foxcroft prepares students for top-tier colleges while emphasizing leadership development and character education. The school maintains a diverse student body with both boarding and day options, serving families throughout Loudoun County and beyond.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Middleburg, Virginia
What are the primary private school options available in and around Middleburg, Virginia, and what are their core educational models?
Middleburg, VA, and its surrounding Loudoun County area are home to several distinguished private schools, each with a distinct focus. The Foxcroft School, located in Middleburg, is a prestigious all-girls boarding and day school for grades 9-12, renowned for its college-preparatory curriculum and equestrian program. Nearby in Leesburg, Loudoun Country Day School offers a co-educational, independent day school experience for students in Pre-K through 8th grade, emphasizing a well-rounded foundation. Also in Herndon, The Nysmith School for the Gifted serves highly gifted students from age 3 through 8th grade with an accelerated, technology-rich curriculum. This concentration of schools offers parents in the Middleburg area clear choices between single-gender boarding, traditional preparatory, and specialized gifted education.
How does tuition for private schools in the Middleburg, VA, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Middleburg area reflects the high caliber and specialized nature of its schools, generally ranging from approximately $30,000 to over $70,000 per year for day students, with boarding costs at Foxcroft being higher. Virginia private schools, including those near Middleburg, are independent and set their own tuition, which typically covers core academics but may have additional fees for technology, arts, or specialized programs like equestrian. Importantly, most of these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Parents are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admissions, as schools like Foxcroft and Loudoun Country Day have dedicated budgets to assist qualifying families. Virginia also has no state-sponsored voucher or tax-credit scholarship programs, making institutional aid the primary resource.
What unique academic or extracurricular specializations are offered by private schools in the Middleburg region that leverage its local culture and resources?
Private schools in the Middleburg area uniquely integrate the region's distinct character into their programs. Most notably, The Foxcroft School leverages Virginia's horse country setting with a nationally recognized equestrian program, including riding as a credited athletic option and access to local stables and events. Furthermore, schools often emphasize STEM and leadership, drawing on the proximity to Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia's tech corridor for partnerships, internships, and guest speakers. Environmental science and sustainability are also common focuses, utilizing the rural landscapes of Loudoun County for hands-on learning. This blend of traditional preparatory rigor with specialized, location-enriched opportunities is a hallmark of Middleburg-area private education.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools serving Middleburg, VA, families?
The enrollment process for competitive private schools in the Middleburg area is thorough and begins early. For most schools, the primary admissions cycle for the following academic year runs from September through January, with application deadlines typically in January or February for decisions released in March. The process almost always includes a completed application, standardized testing (such as the ISEE or SSAT), school records, teacher recommendations, and a mandatory campus visit and interview for the student (and often parents). Due to limited seats, especially in entry grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade, starting the process a full year in advance is crucial. Many schools also host open houses in the fall, which are highly recommended for Middleburg-area families to attend.
For families residing in Middleburg, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school options (Loudoun County Public Schools) with area private schools?
Families in Middleburg must weigh several local factors. Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) are consistently highly ranked in Virginia and the nation, offering rigorous academics, extensive AP courses, and large-scale athletic and arts programs at no direct tuition cost. However, private schools in the area provide smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students vs. 25+ in public), highly personalized attention, distinct educational philosophies (e.g., single-gender, gifted focus), and often more flexibility in curriculum. The decision may come down to a family's desire for a specific community or specialization (like gifted education at Nysmith) versus the comprehensive, diverse environment of a large public high school. Transportation is also a key practical consideration, as LCPS provides busing, while private schools require personal or carpool arrangements, which can be a significant factor in rural Middleburg.
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