Best Schools in Alexandria, Virginia
87 schools · 59 Elementary · 7 Middle · 11 High · 10 Other
Choosing a school in Alexandria?
Use this page to compare every school in Alexandria by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Washington International Academy
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Alternative Paths Training School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology
High · Fairfax County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Alexandria for 2026 are Washington International Academy (9.3/10), Alternative Paths Training School (9.2/10), and Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
87
55 public · 32 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$651,325
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
87
55 public · 32 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$651,325
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.4/10 despite 97% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Alexandria schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Alexandria
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 87). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington International Academy | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Alternative Paths Training School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology | 9.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Alternative Paths Training School - Alexandria | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Bush Hill Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Waynewood Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Clermont Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Browne Academy | 8.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Commonwealth Academy | 8.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Stratford Landing Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $127,734
- Median home value
- $651,325
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 60%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
27% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Alexandria compares
Virginia rank
#119 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$128k
145% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
82
Education Snapshot
Alexandria, VirginiaAlexandria's school landscape covers 87 schools across 2 districts, enrolling roughly 56,457 students in a level mix that skews elementary-heavy: 59 elementary campuses, 11 high schools, 7 middle schools, and 10 other or combined programs. The city's median household income of $135,062 sits 33% above Virginia's state median of $101,703, and 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a demographic profile that places Alexandria among the state's more educated and affluent cities. Yet the average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.9/10 across 82 scored schools falls below the Virginia state average of 6.2/10, a gap that suggests high household resources here have not fully translated into above-average aggregate school performance. Families should evaluate individual school ratings rather than assuming city-wide outcomes match the area's income and education profile.
About Schools in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia has 55 ranked public schools, giving families a broad field to evaluate. The city's schools average 6.5 out of 10, but that number masks real variation across grade levels and neighborhoods. Thirty-eight percent of schools — 21 out of 55 — score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist but require deliberate searching rather than defaulting to proximity alone.
At the top of the city's rankings, Stratford Landing Elementary and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology both score 8.6, the highest marks in Alexandria. Thomas Jefferson, a specialized science and technology program, draws high-achieving students from across the region and carries a national profile. Riverside Elementary scores 8.2, while Whitman Middle and Mount Vernon High each earn 8.0. That spread — strong performers at the elementary and high school levels, with solid middle school options — means parents can often build a coherent academic path through Alexandria's public system without leaving the district.
The city average of 6.5 signals that a meaningful portion of schools fall in the mid-range or below. Parents should look closely at individual school scores rather than assuming a neighborhood school performs near the top. School quality varies by zone, and the gap between the highest-rated schools and the city average is wide enough to matter in day-to-day academic experience. For families who land outside a top-rated zone, charter and magnet options — including the competitive admissions process for Thomas Jefferson — are worth researching early.
Practically speaking, Alexandria rewards families who do the research upfront. Start with the 21 schools that score 7 or better and work backward from your address. Elementary placement tends to lock in a neighborhood trajectory, so score comparisons at that level carry extra weight. Whitman Middle at 8.0 serves as a reliable bridge for families in its zone. If you're targeting Thomas Jefferson for high school, factor in that school's separate admissions process and begin preparing well before the application window opens. Alexandria's public school landscape offers real ceiling — parents just need to know where to look.
Elementary Schools
59 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 678 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 726 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 537 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.3 |
| 4 | 723 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.9 |
| 5 | 434 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 6 | 573 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.7 |
| 7 | 722 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.5 |
| 8 | 1,058 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.4 |
| 9 | 671 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.0 |
| 10 | 401 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.6 |
Show all 59 elementary schools in Alexandria
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 986 students · 7th–8th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 1,358 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
| 3 | 1,403 students · 7th–8th | 5.9 |
| 4 | 819 students · 7th–8th | 5.2 |
| 5 | 1,724 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
| 6 | 892 students · 6th–8th | 4.3 |
| 7 | 1,510 students · 6th–8th | 4.1 |
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,015 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 | ||
| 2 | 2,285 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 1,953 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 4 | 2,681 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 5 | 3,239 students · 7th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 6 | 4,551 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 7 | 159 students · 9th–12th | 2.7 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Episcopal High School
Private
467 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | The Howard Gardner School
Private
49 students · 7th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | Fusion Academy Alykandria
Private
33 students · 6th–12th | 6.9 | ||
Show all 11 high schools in Alexandria
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 202 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.0 | ||
| 2 | 273 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.0 | ||
| Private Schools 8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 188 students · 1st–12th | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | 72 students · 1st–12th | 8.8 | ||
| 3 | Commonwealth Academy
Private
146 students · 3rd–12th | 8.1 | ||
| 4 | Card Academy Alexandria
Private
36 students · Kindergarten–10th | 7.5 | ||
| 5 | 1,160 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | The Living Water School
Private
34 students · 1st–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 7 | The Aquinas Montessori School
Private
114 students · UG–UG | 4.6 | ||
| 8 | Old Town Montessori School
Private
27 students · UG–UG | — | ||
Schools in Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia · 87 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 16 ZIP codes
Median Income
$127,734
Median Home Value
$651,325
Median Rent
$2,113/mo
Population
375,322
College Educated
60%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Community Profile
Alexandria has a median household income of $127,734. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $651,325, with a median rent of $2,113/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 59
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 11
- Other
- 10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Alexandria, Virginia
How many schools are in Alexandria, Virginia?
Alexandria has 87 schools, including 55 public and 32 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Alexandria, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Alexandria is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Alexandria, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Alexandria on MySchoolScout is Washington International Academy with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Alexandria, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Alexandria on MySchoolScout is Washington International Academy with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Alexandria, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Alexandria on MySchoolScout is Twain Middle with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Alexandria, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Alexandria on MySchoolScout is Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Alexandria, Virginia?
Alexandria is served by 2 school districts: Alexandria City Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Alexandria, Virginia?
According to Census data, 60% of adults in Alexandria have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Alexandria, Virginia?
The median household income in Alexandria is approximately $127,734 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Alexandria, Virginia?
Yes, Alexandria has 32 private schools alongside 55 public schools. The top-rated private school is Washington International Academy with a score of 9.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Alexandria, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Alexandria is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Alexandria, Virginia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.