The Best Private Schools in Upperville, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Upperville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Foxcroft School
Independent
Foxcroft School is a prestigious all-girls independent boarding and day school in Middleburg, Virginia, easily accessible from Upperville. Established in 1914, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum for grades 9-12, emphasizing leadership, STEM, and the arts. The school features historic campus buildings alongside modern amenities like science centers, riding facilities, and arts studios. Extracurricular activities include equestrian programs, clubs, and global travel opportunities. Foxcroft is acclaimed for its academic excellence, dedicated faculty, and supportive community, with parent and alumnae reviews often highlighting the transformative educational experience and high college placement rates.
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Wakefield School
Independent
Wakefield School is a highly regarded independent school located just minutes from Upperville in The Plains, Virginia. Founded in 1972, it serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on college preparatory education. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a curriculum that integrates STEM, humanities, and arts. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. Extracurriculars range from robotics and debate to sports and community service, fostering well-rounded development. Parent reviews frequently highlight the supportive community, academic rigor, and personalized attention, contributing to its high satisfaction ratings.
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Highland School
Independent
Highland School, situated in nearby Warrenton, has been serving the Upperville area since 1928 as a co-educational independent school for grades pre-K through 12. It is known for its robust academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses, and a balanced focus on arts, athletics, and character education. The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities such as a performing arts center, science labs, and sports complexes. With a low student-to-teacher ratio, Highland emphasizes individualized learning and college readiness. Parents consistently praise the school for its nurturing environment, strong community ties, and comprehensive extracurricular offerings, from theater to competitive sports.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Upperville, Virginia
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Upperville, Virginia?
Upperville, located in Virginia's horse country, is home to a small number of prestigious private schools, with the most prominent being Foxcroft School, an all-girls boarding and day school for grades 9-12. For broader day school options, families in the Upperville area typically look to nearby towns. Wakefield School, located in The Plains (about a 15-minute drive), serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Highland School, in Warrenton (about a 25-minute drive), offers programs from Pre-K through 12th grade. The private school landscape here is characterized by low student-to-teacher ratios, expansive campuses, and often a strong connection to the local equestrian and agricultural community.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Upperville, VA, area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Upperville corridor is generally at or above the Virginia state average for private education, reflecting the schools' resources and facilities. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at these schools ranges from approximately $25,000 to $35,000+ for upper grades, with Foxcroft's boarding program being significantly higher. All three major schools—Foxcroft, Wakefield, and Highland—offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Additionally, Virginia's Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits Program allows donors to support scholarship funds at participating private schools, which can increase the financial aid pool for qualifying families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Upperville area that leverage its local culture and environment?
Private schools in the Upperville area uniquely integrate the region's rich heritage into their programs. Foxcroft School is renowned for its equestrian program, offering riding, horse management, and even interscholastic competition, utilizing the surrounding Virginia hunt country. Wakefield School emphasizes environmental science and sustainability, with its 30-acre campus serving as a living laboratory, and also has a strong arts program. Highland School features a Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning and a comprehensive robotics program. All schools leverage the proximity to Washington, D.C., for history, government, and internship opportunities, blending rural setting with metropolitan access.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Foxcroft, Wakefield, and Highland serving Upperville, VA?
The enrollment process for these selective private schools begins early. Prospective families should initiate inquiries 12-18 months before the desired entry date. Key deadlines are typically in January or February for the following fall semester. The process involves an application, standardized testing (such as the ISEE or SSAT), school records, teacher recommendations, and a required campus visit and interview. For boarding applicants to Foxcroft, additional interviews and an English proficiency test may be required. Rolling admissions may be available if spaces remain, but applying by the priority deadline is strongly recommended, especially for sought-after grades like kindergarten, 6th, and 9th.
For Upperville residents, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Fauquier County Public Schools) and the area's private schools?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, program specificity, and community size. Fauquier County Public Schools, like Liberty High School, offer a no-tuition, comprehensive curriculum with strong athletics and AP courses. The area's private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 12-15 students), more individualized attention, and distinct pedagogical approaches (e.g., Foxcroft's girls' leadership focus). They also provide more extensive facilities, from science labs to riding stables, on their campuses. For families in Upperville's rural setting, private schools may offer a more consistent peer community without long bus rides, but require a significant financial commitment and potentially a longer daily commute to the school's location.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Independent Secondary Schools Near Upperville, VA: A Parent's Guide
For families in Upperville, Virginia, the search for the right educational environment for your teenager is deeply personal and often begins with the phrase “independent secondary schools near me.” This beautiful corner of Fauquier and Loudoun Counties offers a unique blend of rural tranquility and access to exceptional private education, making the local options particularly distinctive. Unlike a broad national search, focusing on schools in this region means considering institutions that understand and often embody the values of community, connection to the land, and academic rigor that resonate with many Upperville families. Your exploration isn't just about proximity; it's about finding a school community that feels like an extension of your family's values and aspirations.
Several notable independent secondary schools are conveniently located near Upperville, each offering a different educational philosophy. Wakefield School, situated right in the Hunt Country, provides a coeducational, college-preparatory experience from pre-K through twelfth grade. Its strength lies in creating a tight-knit community where students are known and challenged individually, perfect for families seeking a continuous educational journey close to home. A short drive away in Warrenton, Highland School offers another robust coed option, known for balancing strong academics with extensive arts and athletics programs. Its campus fosters a dynamic environment where leadership and personal growth are emphasized alongside intellectual achievement.
For families considering a single-sex education, the historic Foxcroft School, located in Middleburg just minutes from Upperville, presents a renowned all-girls boarding and day option. Foxcroft’s program is designed to empower young women with confidence and critical thinking skills, set on a stunning campus that aligns with the pastoral beauty of the area. When evaluating these “independent secondary schools near me,” Upperville parents should consider the daily logistics. Traffic on routes 50 and 17 can influence commute times, so visiting during a typical school run is wise. Additionally, think about the after-school rhythm. Does the school offer late buses or activities that align with your child’s interests in equestrian sports, environmental science, or the arts, all of which are vibrant parts of local culture?
The admissions process for these schools is competitive but personalized. Starting early, often in the fall before the desired enrollment year, is crucial. Attend open houses, schedule shadow days where your child can experience a typical day, and engage with current parents. Ask specific questions about how the school integrates the local context—perhaps through environmental studies on local ecosystems, history programs delving into Virginia’s past, or community service partnerships in Fauquier County. Ultimately, the best fit is where your child will thrive. The advantage of searching for “independent secondary schools near me” in Upperville is that you have access to world-class education within a community that feels familiar, where the transition from home to school can be seamless and supportive for the entire family.
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