Private Schools Cost in Washington DC (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangePrivate school tuition in Washington, DC is expensive by US standards. Verified tuition at well-known DC independent schools commonly runs from about $34,000 to more than $61,000 per year, with many day schools clustering around roughly $50,000-$60,000 annually; boarding is uncommon within DC itself and can cost more where offered regionally.
Overview
In Washington, DC, private school costs vary mainly by grade level, whether the school is day or boarding, and the type of institution. For the 2024-2025 school year, publicly posted tuition at major DC independent schools shows lower-school fees often in the mid-$30,000s to mid-$50,000s, while many middle and upper school programmes are around $50,000 to $61,000 per year. Schools such as Georgetown Day School, Sidwell Friends School, St. Albans School and National Cathedral School publish annual tuition schedules on their official websites, making them useful benchmarks for the local market. Most private K-12 schools in DC charge tuition annually, though families often pay in instalments and may face extra costs for application fees, deposits, meals, uniforms, books, technology, transport, after-school care and optional trips. International versus domestic tuition is not usually separated at DC private schools in the way it often is at universities; instead, the same published tuition generally applies, though international families may incur additional English-language, visa-document or boarding-related costs if relevant. Financial aid is available at many schools, so the advertised tuition is not always the amount a family ultimately pays. Because fees are reset each academic year, current published school schedules are the best source for exact pricing.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| DC private school tuition range (day schools, annual)(per year) Estimated local range based on publicly posted 2024-2025 tuition at major Washington, DC private schools including Georgetown Day School, Sidwell Friends School, St. Albans School and National Cathedral School. | ~$34,000 – $61,500 | Estimated range |
| Georgetown Day School tuition(per year) 2024-2025 tuition published by the school; lower school starts at $34,030 and upper grades are higher. | ~$34,030 – $59,520 | Estimated range |
| Sidwell Friends School tuition(per year) 2024-2025 published tuition for day students by division. | ~$57,200 – $59,750 | Estimated range |
| St. Albans School tuition(per year) Published annual tuition for 2024-2025; lower school and upper school rates differ. | ~$58,400 – $61,500 | Estimated range |
| National Cathedral School tuition(per year) Published annual tuition for 2024-2025 by grade band. | ~$58,400 – $60,750 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Core academic tuition
- Access to standard school facilities
- Typical student services included by the school
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Most tuition is charged for one academic year, typically covering approximately 9-10 months of schooling.
How Fees Work
Usually billed annually for the school year, often with instalment plans available; extra fees may apply for application, enrolment, meals, uniforms, devices, transport, clubs and trips.
Factors Affecting Price
- Year group or division, with nursery and lower school often priced differently from upper school
- Whether the school is a day school or includes boarding or extended residential provision
- Additional charges such as deposits, meals, transport, uniforms, technology and trips
- Financial aid or need-based assistance offered by the school
- Prestige, facilities, class size and specialist programming
Local Context
Washington, DC has one of the highest-cost independent school markets in the United States, especially for long-established college-preparatory schools. Tuition is generally quoted before any financial aid and there is no tipping element. Families should budget separately for one-off enrolment charges and recurring extras such as lunch, transport and technology.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All prices are in US dollars and are typically quoted per academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school usually cost in Washington, DC?+
A realistic current range for well-known DC private day schools is roughly $34,000 to $61,500 per year, with many prominent schools charging around $50,000-$60,000 annually.
Are there different fees for domestic and international students?+
Usually no separate domestic-versus-international tuition is published for DC private K-12 schools. The same headline tuition normally applies, but international families may face extra administrative or support costs depending on the school.
Do private school fees in DC include everything?+
Not always. Published tuition often excludes application fees, deposits, lunch plans, uniforms, books, laptops, transport, after-school care and optional travel or activity charges.
Is financial aid available at Washington, DC private schools?+
Yes. Many established independent schools in DC offer need-based financial aid, so the published tuition may not be the net amount paid by every family.
Do fees rise every year?+
Often yes. Private school tuition is typically reviewed annually, so families should expect periodic increases between school years.
Related Cost Guides
Language Classes Cost in Auckland (2026)
Auckland, New Zealand
Driving Lessons Cost in Los Angeles (2026)
Los Angeles, United States
Online Courses Cost in Chicago (2026)
Chicago, United States
Tutoring Cost in Singapore (2026)
Singapore, Singapore
Private Schools Cost in Sydney (2026)
Sydney, Australia
Tutoring Cost in Birmingham (2026)
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Check current prices at the official source
District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Are you a business?
Get your business listed on this page and reach customers actively searching for your services.
List Your BusinessFind Education & Learning in Washington DC
Browse more cost guides for Washington DC