The Best Private Schools in Ordinary, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ordinary. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ware Academy
Ware Academy
Ware Academy is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from preschool through 8th grade, located approximately 15 minutes from Ordinary. The school offers a balanced curriculum emphasizing academic rigor, character development, and individualized learning. Ware Academy features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and modern facilities including science labs, technology integration, and athletic facilities. The school's comprehensive program includes robust arts education, competitive athletics, and community engagement opportunities. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment and strong sense of community that prepares students for success in high school and beyond.
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Walsingham Academy
Walsingham Academy
Walsingham Academy is a premier Catholic independent school located in nearby Williamsburg, serving families throughout the Middle Peninsula region including Ordinary. The school offers a comprehensive educational program from preschool through 12th grade with both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement coursework options. Walsingham features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes and provides extensive extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and community service. With a strong college placement record and emphasis on moral development, Walsingham consistently ranks among the top private schools in Eastern Virginia.
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Christchurch School
Christchurch School
Christchurch School is a prestigious co-educational Episcopal boarding and day school located just minutes from Ordinary along the Rappahannock River. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and personalized attention. Notable for its exceptional Marine Science Program that utilizes their riverfront campus, Christchurch provides hands-on learning opportunities. The school features comprehensive athletics, arts programs, and community service initiatives. With a diverse student body that includes international boarding students, Christchurch emphasizes character development and global citizenship alongside academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ordinary, Virginia
What are the primary private school options serving families in and around Ordinary, Virginia?
Ordinary itself is a small community, so families typically look to excellent private schools in the broader Middle Peninsula and Tidewater region. The most prominent include Christchurch School (a co-ed Episcopal boarding and day school for grades 9-12 located directly in Ordinary), Ware Academy (a Pre-K through 8th grade independent school in Gloucester, about a 20-minute drive), and Walsingham Academy (a Pre-K3 through 12th grade Catholic independent school in Williamsburg, roughly a 40-minute drive). These schools offer distinct educational philosophies, from Episcopal boarding to classical preparatory, providing significant choice within a reasonable commute.
How does the tuition for private schools near Ordinary, VA, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition in this region varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at Christchurch School is approximately $30,000, Ware Academy ranges from ~$12,000 to $16,000, and Walsingham Academy ranges from ~$10,000 to $15,000. These figures are generally in line with or slightly below Virginia's private school averages, partly due to the area's lower cost of living compared to Northern Virginia. All three schools offer need-based financial aid, and some have merit scholarship programs. Virginia also has education improvement scholarship tax credit programs that can provide donors with tax credits, indirectly supporting financial aid funds.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Ordinary, VA, area offer that leverage the local environment?
Schools here capitalize on the unique Chesapeake Bay and Tidewater setting. Christchurch School, with its waterfront campus on the Rappahannock River, has a renowned Marine Science program and utilizes the river for environmental science, sailing, and crew. Ware Academy emphasizes outdoor education and environmental stewardship on its rural campus. Walsingham Academy, while more suburban, integrates its Catholic identity with a strong college-prep curriculum and notable fine arts programs. The proximity to historic Williamsburg and Yorktown also allows for rich, integrated history and civics field studies not easily replicated elsewhere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Christchurch, Ware, and Walsingham for families in Ordinary?
The process is similar to independent schools nationwide but starts early. For fall admission, applications typically open in September, with priority deadlines between January and February. The process includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing (like the SSAT or ISEE for older grades), and a family interview or student visit day. For Christchurch, as a boarding school, the process includes additional steps for residential life. Rolling admission may be available if spaces remain. It's crucial to contact admissions offices by the fall prior to your desired enrollment year, as some grades, especially early elementary and key high school entry points, fill quickly.
For a family in Ordinary, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (Gloucester County Public Schools) and the area private schools?
The decision hinges on educational philosophy, individual student needs, and community. Gloucester County Public Schools are well-regarded, offering a solid standard curriculum with the convenience of a local bus system. The area private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students), distinct religious or value-based education (Episcopal at Christchurch, Catholic at Walsingham), and specialized programs like advanced marine science or classical education. For high school, Christchurch offers a boarding option and a tight-knit residential community. The trade-off involves cost, commute time to Ware or Walsingham, and whether the specific environment (e.g., waterfront, faith-based, or intensive college prep) aligns with your child's learning style and your family's goals.
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