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Private Schools in
Virginia

  • White
  • Black
  • Hisp.
  • Asian Am.
  • Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
  • Haw. / Pac. Isl.
  • Multi.
  • Not spec.
Private Schools
Public Schools

Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)

Religious Orientation

Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.

Religious Orientation Count
Nonsectarian 279
Christian 118
Roman Catholic 81
Baptist 56
Episcopal 19

School Type

School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.

Private Schools in Virginia

There are 643 private schools in Virginia that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.

School Grades Religion Enrollment Mostly … Racial Difference* Teachers Founded Type
Liberty University Online Academy KG–12th Christian 4,789 White 34% 93 Regular elementary or secondary
K12 Private Schools KG–12th Nonsectarian 4,105 Asian American 33% 74 Regular elementary or secondary
Collegiate School PK–12th Nonsectarian 1,626 White 45% 163 1915 Regular elementary or secondary
K12 International Academy KG–12th Nonsectarian 1,446 White 25% 49 Regular elementary or secondary
Norfolk Academy 1st–12th Nonsectarian 1,203 White 53% 116 1728 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Stephens & St. Agnes School Upper School PK–12th Episcopal 1,160 Black 64% 225 1991 Regular elementary or secondary
Bishop Denis J. Oconnell High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 1,153 White 16% 101 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Paul VI Catholic High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 1,094 White 31% 105 1983 Regular elementary or secondary
Cape Henry Collegiate School PK–12th Nonsectarian 982 White 34% 110 1924 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Christopher’s School PK–12th Episcopal 956 White 76% 141 1911 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Catherines School PK–12th Episcopal 906 White 71% 136 1890 Regular elementary or secondary
Fredericksburg Christian School PK–12th Christian 889 White 30% 72 1978 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Anne’s-Belfield School PK–12th Nonsectarian 832 White 26% 103 1856 Regular elementary or secondary
Bishop Ireton High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 802 White 38% 76 1964 Regular elementary or secondary
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 778 White 47% 83 1966 Regular elementary or secondary
Trinity Christian School of Fairfax KG–12th Christian 755 White 29% 68 1987 Regular elementary or secondary
King Abdullah Academy KG–12th Islamic 739 White 35% 95 Regular elementary or secondary
Atlantic Shores Christian School PK–12th Christian 738 White 16% 75 Regular elementary or secondary
The Basilica School of St. Mary PK–8th Roman Catholic 702 White 58% 38 1859 Regular elementary or secondary
The Steward School PK–12th Nonsectarian 683 White 41% 76 1972 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Timothy Catholic School PK–8th Roman Catholic 642 White 33% 36 Regular elementary or secondary
Isle of Wight Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 628 White 35% 75 1967 Regular elementary or secondary
Hampton Roads Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 627 White 53% 67 1959 Regular elementary or secondary
Veritas School PK–12th Christian 625 White 72% 62 Regular elementary or secondary
St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 621 White 23% 48 Regular elementary or secondary

* About racial difference

School Districts in Virginia (137)

District Grades Private Schools Private School Students Racial Difference *
Fairfax County Public Schools PK–12th 91 14,463 21%
Loudoun County Public Schools PK–12th 32 3,800 23%
Richmond City Public Schools PK–12th 28 4,486 55%
Norfolk City Public Schools PK–12th 27 4,349 47%
Virginia Beach City Public Schools PK–12th 24 3,952 18%
Henrico County Public Schools PK–12th 23 4,356 38%
Prince William County Public Schools PK–12th 23 3,082 19%
Chesapeake City Public Schools PK–12th 22 2,075 24%
Alexandria City Public Schools PK–12th 19 4,412 29%
Newport News City Public Schools PK–12th 14 2,031 43%
Chesterfield County Public Schools PK–12th 14 1,579 27%
Albemarle County Public Schools PK–12th 13 1,669 17%
Hampton City Public Schools PK–12th 11 717 29%
Rockingham County Public Schools PK–12th 11 1,329 23%
Fauquier County Public Schools PK–12th 11 1,945 20%
Portsmouth City Public Schools PK–12th 10 1,212 52%
Arlington County Public Schools PK–12th 10 2,731 20%
Stafford County Public Schools PK–12th 9 869 30%
Lynchburg City Public Schools PK–12th 8 1,012 47%
Spotsylvania County Public Schools PK–12th 8 1,681 22%
Roanoke County Public Schools PK–12th 8 1,101 3%
Charlottesville City Public Schools PK–12th 7 1,213 28%
Staunton City Public Schools PK–12th 7 837 16%
Frederick County Public Schools PK–12th 7 827 13%
Montgomery County Public Schools PK–12th 7 527 5%

* About racial difference

About This Data

Where is this data from?

Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.

What schools are included?

Why are private schools listed under public school districts?

What changes has ProPublica made?

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by Sergio Hernández, Nat Lash and Brandon Roberts

Jeff Frankl contributed design. Mollie Simon contributed research.

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