Primary and secondary schools in Washington, The United States

Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, has a dense network of independent schools, many of them with a long history. For families moving to the city, and for students who want to spend their secondary years in the United States, the choice ranges from Quaker and Jesuit schools to a British international school.

Our directory lists five private primary and secondary schools in Washington. All teach in English, and each sets its own admission process, fees and financial aid.

What the schools offer

• Sidwell Friends School: a co-educational Quaker day school for pre-kindergarten to grade 12, founded in 1883. The Lower School (PK to grade 4) is on a five-acre campus in Bethesda, Maryland; the Middle and Upper Schools share a 15-acre campus in Washington
• Georgetown Day School (GDS): founded in 1945 as a place where students of all races, religions and backgrounds could learn together. It has 269 students in the Lower School (PK to grade 4), 318 in the Middle School (grades 5 to 8) and 530 in the High School (grades 9 to 12)
• Gonzaga College High School: a Catholic college preparatory school for boys in grades 9 to 12, founded in 1821 in the Jesuit tradition. Despite its name, it is a high school
• British International School of Washington (BISW): a school with a British heritage for ages 2 to 18, in four stages from Early Years to Upper Secondary. Students take IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme
• Edmund Burke School: a college preparatory school for grades 6 to 12, established in 1968

In short, families with young children can look at Sidwell Friends, GDS and BISW, which start at pre-kindergarten or age 2. Gonzaga and Burke take older students only. BISW is the option for families who want a British and IB pathway rather than an American high school diploma.

Costs

Fees at these schools are high and published per school year. For 2026-27:

• Sidwell Friends School: $55,250 (pre-K to grade 2) to $62,330 (grades 9 to 12); 23% of students receive financial aid
• Edmund Burke School: $51,708 for grades 6 to 8 and $54,846 for grades 9 to 11, plus an activity fee; the price includes textbooks, field trips, sports uniforms and iPads
• British International School of Washington: from $40,070 in Year 1 to $47,930 in Years 12 and 13, plus a one-time new enrolment fee of $2,700; IB Diploma and IGCSE exam costs are included
• Gonzaga College High School: $35,460

Most schools offer need-based aid. Gonzaga gives $5.8 million in financial aid to 35% of its students and also awards merit scholarships such as the Presidential Scholarship ($5,000 a year for four years). About 35% of Burke families receive aid, which is need-based only.

Practical tips

• Apply for financial aid at the same time as the admission application; Gonzaga, for example, asks prospective families to do so
• Check whether a school can issue the Form I-20 or DS-2019 that a student from abroad needs for a visa; the J exchange visa covers exchange programmes that include high school study
• Check what the fee includes: meals, trips, devices and exam fees vary from school to school
• WMATA, the Metro operator, runs fare programmes for students (U-Pass and Kids Ride Free); a local bus trip costs $2.25 at full fare

Frequently asked questions

Is there an international school in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. The British International School of Washington teaches students aged 2 to 18 with a British-heritage curriculum, IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme.

How much does a private school in Washington cost?

For 2026-27, fees in our directory range from $35,460 at Gonzaga College High School to $62,330 for grades 9 to 12 at Sidwell Friends School.

Do private schools in Washington offer financial aid?

Yes. For example, 23% of Sidwell Friends students and about 35% of Gonzaga students and Burke families receive financial aid.

Which schools take children from pre-kindergarten?

Sidwell Friends School and Georgetown Day School start at pre-kindergarten, and the British International School of Washington from age 2.