The Best Private Schools in Moseley, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Moseley. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Catherine's School
Independent
St. Catherine's School is a prestigious independent Episcopal school for girls serving the Richmond metropolitan area, including Moseley families. The school offers a challenging academic program with 23 Advanced Placement courses and emphasizes global citizenship through international programs. The 16-acre campus features exceptional facilities including science centers, art studios, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes and provides extensive college counseling. Parents consistently rate the school highly for its academic rigor, supportive environment, and comprehensive student development programs.
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The Steward School
Independent
The Steward School is a highly-regarded independent college preparatory school serving the Greater Richmond area, including Moseley. With a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and a comprehensive academic program, the school emphasizes personalized learning and character development. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school offers a robust athletic program with 45+ teams and extensive arts opportunities. Parents consistently praise the supportive community and strong college placement record.
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Benedictine College Preparatory
Catholic
Benedictine College Preparatory is an all-boys Catholic military school with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and character formation. Located just minutes from Moseley, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum enhanced by a mandatory JROTC program that develops leadership skills. The campus features modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, and technology-enhanced classrooms. The school maintains strong traditions while offering contemporary STEM programs and competitive athletics. Parents highlight the strong sense of community and exceptional college acceptance rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Moseley, Virginia
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Moseley, Virginia?
While Moseley itself is a suburban community within Chesterfield County, families typically look to nearby Richmond-area institutions. The most prominent local options include The Steward School (co-ed, Pre-K-12, located just north in Richmond), Benedictine College Preparatory (all-boys, 9-12, in Richmond), and St. Catherine's School (all-girls, Pre-K-12, also in Richmond). These schools are all within a reasonable commuting distance from Moseley. It's also common for Moseley families to consider other Richmond-area independent and parochial schools, making the city's educational landscape a key consideration for local residents.
How does tuition for top private schools near Moseley, VA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Richmond area, which serve Moseley, is generally above the Virginia independent school average. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect tuition ranges of approximately $25,000 - $35,000+ for upper schools. Virginia has few state-level assistance programs for private education, so financial aid is primarily offered directly by the schools themselves through need-based grants. Schools like The Steward School, Benedictine, and St. Catherine's all have substantial financial aid budgets funded by endowments and annual giving. It is crucial to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are limited. The Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships tax credit program can provide some indirect support through donations to scholarship foundations.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Moseley-area private schools offer that leverage their Richmond location?
Private schools serving Moseley students utilize their proximity to Richmond's resources extensively. The Steward School's "Spartan Institute for Research and Design" emphasizes innovation and real-world problem-solving, often partnering with Richmond-area businesses and universities. Benedictine College Preparatory's JROTC program is one of the oldest in the nation and has deep ties to local military history. St. Catherine's School offers a renowned global studies program with travel opportunities and local partnerships with cultural institutions like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the University of Richmond. All schools benefit from access to the city's museums, state government, and historical sites for experiential learning.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Moseley, VA, area?
The admission process for Richmond-area schools popular with Moseley families is highly structured and begins early. For entry points like Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades, the process often starts 12-18 months in advance. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically in the fall), submitting applications by January deadlines (often with a non-refundable fee), student visits/testing/interviews in January-February, and notification dates in March. For schools like St. Catherine's and Benedictine, which have single-gender environments, student "shadow days" are a critical part of the assessment. Given the competitive nature, especially for the most sought-after grades, Moseley parents are advised to plan meticulously and apply to more than one school.
For a family moving to Moseley, how do the local public schools in Chesterfield County compare with the private school options, and what factors should guide this decision?
Moseley is served by the highly-regarded Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS), including Cosby High School, which is consistently top-ranked in the state. The decision between public and private often hinges on specific family values and student needs. CCPS offers a robust, tuition-free education with extensive AP courses, athletics, and arts. The private school alternative near Moseley provides smaller class sizes, distinct missions (single-gender, religious affiliation, or specific pedagogical approaches like Steward's innovation focus), and often more intensive college counseling. The commute is also a factor; the private options require a drive into Richmond, while public schools are locally zoned. Many families in Moseley choose the public system, while others seek the specialized community and programs of the Richmond private schools.
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