Small/ less expensive private schools in NoVa

[Anonymous]

We are moving to NoVa and still considering a wide range of possibilities because (a) my 7th grader has been in private schools for 5 years, and (b) he does better in smaller classrooms/ needs accommodations for learning challenges.
However, the mainstream/ better known private schools like Potomac, Flint Hill, etc. have tuition that is nearly double what we pay now for a good school in Texas.

Today I heard about the following three smaller schools - anyone have firsthand experience with them, particularly in terms of teacher quality, management, and curriculum?
-Ideaventions Academy (Reston)
-Loudoun School for the Gifted (Ashburn)
-Middlesburg Academy

[Anonymous]

The prices for private school are shocking -- even if you live in NoVa.

Not to add stress to your move, but most schools' application deadlines have passed. They should be sending out acceptances in about 3 weeks to a month, so you should call schools now and tell them about your situation.

You may have the best luck with Flint Hill, which runs through 12th, or a K-8 like The Langley School or Congressional, which sometimes lose a few kids in the upper grades when they apply out to the really competitive middle and upper schools in DC.

You should also narrow your search to schools fairly close to your home. Traffic in the DC Metro area is horrific. Traffic and commute time was the final deciding factor for us, after we received our acceptances.

I don't know what your household income will be once you move to NoVa, but you will find that in some schools, there are families who make about $200,000 and still get financial aid. So depending upon your income, you may qualify. You won't get a full ride, but every bit helps.

If you are open to Catholic schools, they are less expensive and the classes are somewhat smaller than some public schools, but they aren't really set up to deal with kids who have learning disabilities.

Finally, you will find smaller classrooms in local independent schools, but I don't know how accommodating they are to students who have learning challenges. If the learning issues are very complex, you may want to explore The Lab School.

My sister has learning disabilities and public schools were the best fit for her (many years ago) because they had teachers specifically trained to address her needs. I don't know if that is the case now.

[Anonymous]

Are you willing to consider a religiously affiliated school? Are you looking for something that runs through high school? Where are you going to be living?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are moving to NoVa and still considering a wide range of possibilities because (a) my 7th grader has been in private schools for 5 years, and (b) he does better in smaller classrooms/ needs accommodations for learning challenges.
However, the mainstream/ better known private schools like Potomac, Flint Hill, etc. have tuition that is nearly double what we pay now for a good school in Texas.

Today I heard about the following three smaller schools - anyone have firsthand experience with them, particularly in terms of teacher quality, management, and curriculum?
-Ideaventions Academy (Reston)
-Loudoun School for the Gifted (Ashburn)
-Middlesburg Academy

Congressional and Westminster have tuition in the $20k range, which sounds like what you pay in TX.

[Anonymous]

Westminster is not a school for a child who needs extra support. It is not a nurturing environment.

[Anonymous]

If you are OK with a K-8 program, check out Merritt Academy in Fairfax. They offer small classes and a very nurturing, character-focused program.

[Anonymous]

The Sycamore School in Arlington is nurturing and reasonably priced. It’s an experiential learning school with small classes. My kids love it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Westminster is not a school for a child who needs extra support. It is not a nurturing environment.

Umm substantially disagree. They have help sessions with students who need additional support. My kids got into a top notch private from there.

[Anonymous]

Congressional is 25, not 20. Consider Edlin, Fairfax Christian, some of the Parochials (OLGC, St. Marks, St. Less are all in Fairfax--not sure about Loudoun), Dominion Christian, Hill School (in Middleburg so if you were thinking Middleburg Academy), Greenhedges, Lorien Wood. Also look at Wakefield. The deadlines for many schools have passed but they still accept applications on a rolling basis. Also, consider applying for financial aid. Also, a lot of the schools end at 8 so you would only go for a year and then be looking. FYI, the schools you mentioned are pretty far from each other. Most people looking at Middleburg Academy are not looking at Flint Hill simply because of the locations and traffic. A school that is well regarded for working with dyslexics is Oakwood. Not sure if that is relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The prices for private school are shocking -- even if you live in NoVa.

Not to add stress to your move, but most schools' application deadlines have passed. They should be sending out acceptances in about 3 weeks to a month, so you should call schools now and tell them about your situation.

You may have the best luck with Flint Hill, which runs through 12th, or a K-8 like The Langley School or Congressional, which sometimes lose a few kids in the upper grades when they apply out to the really competitive middle and upper schools in DC.

You should also narrow your search to schools fairly close to your home. Traffic in the DC Metro area is horrific. Traffic and commute time was the final deciding factor for us, after we received our acceptances.

I don't know what your household income will be once you move to NoVa, but you will find that in some schools, there are families who make about $200,000 and still get financial aid. So depending upon your income, you may qualify. You won't get a full ride, but every bit helps.

If you are open to Catholic schools, they are less expensive and the classes are somewhat smaller than some public schools, but they aren't really set up to deal with kids who have learning disabilities.

Finally, you will find smaller classrooms in local independent schools, but I don't know how accommodating they are to students who have learning challenges. If the learning issues are very complex, you may want to explore The Lab School.

My sister has learning disabilities and public schools were the best fit for her (many years ago) because they had teachers specifically trained to address her needs. I don't know if that is the case now.

Flint Hill does not fit the parameters of the question (i.e. small, inexpensive). It is neither. Tuition is as high as the rest of the top privates in the metro area (~$40K).

[Anonymous]

New School of Northern Virginia. Howard Gardner School. GW Community School.

[Anonymous]

Definitely check out Pinecrest School in Annandale. Tuition is around the $15k mark. It is a very warm, nurturing community with small classes and tucked in a residential neighborhood. You probably drive right past it and don’t even know it’s there. We’ve been there for 5 years and couldn’t be happier. Www.pinecrestschool.org.

[Anonymous]

What about little Langley?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely check out Pinecrest School in Annandale. Tuition is around the $15k mark. It is a very warm, nurturing community with small classes and tucked in a residential neighborhood. You probably drive right past it and don’t even know it’s there. We’ve been there for 5 years and couldn’t be happier. Www.pinecrestschool.org.

+1, although we’ve only been there a year. We’re very happy with the environment and the academics (and, bonus, they built/opened a new school building this year).

[Anonymous]

just move to mclean and go to your local school. Just as good a private without all the "extras".