I've been advising someone looking to start a private school in Loudoun. It would be secular and likely cheaper. Was considering around 20k, but the cost estimates are suggesting a higher number which is causing some nervousness about going forward.

Highland school in Warrenton

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The schools listed above are not affordable. Flint Hill is $47K.

OP, what ages? There seems to be more options for K-6 or K-8. Merritt Academy in Fairfax is about $21K. Pinecrest in Annandale is $17K or so. I don't know much about these schools, but one of my daughters had a friend pre-COVID who was at Merritt and liked it. There might be other options a little farther out.

Good luck. The private schools here are either secular or semi-affordable, rarely both.

Thank you! Yes, both kids are in kinder/preK so we're looking to move in an area where I can still commute to DC in 45 mins but also near an private school that is hopefully around 25k/year. Appreciate these recs!

I commute from Bowie to DC, takes 45 minutes. My kid is at Indian Creek for $25k/year.

If you want a 45 minute commute to DC during rush hour, you aren’t moving that far out.

For kinder/pre-k, I would look at Montessori schools, which tend to be much more affordable. There are several in Arlington/Alexandria area. Del Ray Montessori, Full Circle Montessori, Arlington Montessori House, Montessori School of Alexandria, Montessori School of Northern Virginia (Annandale)—to name a few that come to mind.

OP, maybe you can clarify why you’re interested in private school and what matters in a school other than cost and non-religious affiliation?

Anonymous wrote:Pinecrest in Annandale is about $18k but only goes to 6th.
Westminster in Annandale is about $26k - $33k.

We sent out kids to Pinecrest Camp. Loved it and loved the school. Didn't make sense for us as a school for a couple of reasons, but it's a really great little community.

Second congressional. Our DC-based private school plays them in sports and we were very impressed with their facilities. And they cost about $10k less.

Pinecrest! We stumbled upon it when we needed in person academics in Covid and it was a fabulous decision.