Very Good
#133 of 457 private schools in VA
Top 29% of private schools
The Howard Gardner School
High School
4913 FRANCONIA RD, Alexandria, VA 22310
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 53 schools in Alexandria. Learn more
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Alexandria
#11 of 27
public schools
Virginia high schools
#33 of 57
About The Howard Gardner School
The Howard Gardner School is a regular public high school located in the Fairfax area of Alexandria, Virginia. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 49 students, creating a small and intimate learning environment with a student-to-teacher ratio of 5.9:1. This allows for personalized attention and support for each student.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting, offering easy access to local amenities and transportation. While the MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.2 out of 10, placing it around the 59th percentile among Virginia schools, there are no specific test score data available to provide context for academic performance. The Howard Gardner School focuses on fostering a nurturing atmosphere where students can grow both academically and personally.
The school's setting in Alexandria provides a suburban community that balances quiet residential areas with convenient access to nearby urban centers and cultural attractions.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 49 students, The Howard Gardner School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.9:1, The Howard Gardner School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Howard Gardner School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Howard Gardner School compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Alexandria, VA
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Howard Gardner School (this school) | 7.0 |
| Twain Middle | 7.5 |
| Edison High | 7.2 |
| Patrick Henry K-8 School | 5.5 |
| West Potomac High | 6.8 |
| Bryant High | 7.4 |
| Francis C. Hammond Middle | 4.7 |
| Hayfield Secondary | 6.4 |
| Holmes Middle | 6.3 |
| Alexandria City High School | 5.7 |
| Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology | 8.6 |
| Glasgow Middle | 5.9 |
| Jefferson-Houston PK-8 School | 7.1 |
| Whitman Middle | 8.0 |
| George Washington Middle | 6.9 |
| Mount Vernon High | 8.0 |
| Sandburg Middle | 7.0 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in VA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in VA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
4913 FRANCONIA RD, Alexandria, VA 22310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Howard Gardner School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BROWNE ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clermont Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rose Hill Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Alexandria, see our Alexandria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Hill Elementary Alexandria | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Twain Middle Alexandria | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Bush Hill Elementary Alexandria | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Clermont Elementary Alexandria | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Edison High Alexandria | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| CARD ACADEMY ALEXANDRIA Alexandria | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| LITTLE ACORN PATCH AT KINGSTOWNE Alexandria | 1.0 mi | — |
| Samuel W. Tucker Elementary Alexandria | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Virginia Hills Early Childhood Resource Center Alexandria | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| RIVER FARM COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Alexandria | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Franconia Elementary Alexandria | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Groveton Elementary Alexandria | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Cameron Elementary Alexandria | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF ALEXANDRIA Alexandria | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Patrick Henry K-8 School Alexandria | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| BROWNE ACADEMY Alexandria | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| James K. Polk Elementary Alexandria | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| ST STEPHENS & ST AGNES SCHOOL - UPPER SCHOOL Alexandria | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| CALVARY ROAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| CALVARY ROAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$160,872
Median Home Value
$627,400
Median Rent
$2,396/mo
Population
29,120
College Educated
64%
Homeownership
78.3%
Avg Commute
32.2 min
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Howard Gardner School has a median household income of $160,872. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $627,400, with a median rent of $2,396/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BENJAMIN & LILLIAN ROCHKIND YESHIVA OF VIRGINIA Richmond, VA | 7.0 |
| Richmond Career Education and Employment Charter School Richmond, VA | 7.0 |
| FUSION ACADEMY ALYKANDRIA Alexandria, VA | 6.9 |
| COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Roanoke, VA | 7.2 |
| THE HAGUE SCHOOL Norfolk, VA | 6.8 |
| RENAISSANCE SCHOOL Charlottesville, VA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Howard Gardner School
What grades does The Howard Gardner School serve?
The Howard Gardner School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend The Howard Gardner School?
The Howard Gardner School has an enrollment of approximately 49 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Howard Gardner School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Howard Gardner School is 5.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Howard Gardner School rank in VA?
The Howard Gardner School is ranked #133 out of 457 private schools in VA.
What is The Howard Gardner School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Howard Gardner School has a composite rating of 7.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is The Howard Gardner School a private school?
Yes, The Howard Gardner School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Howard Gardner School a religious school?
No, The Howard Gardner School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 49
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 194 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- FAIRFAX
- Phone
- (703) 822-9300
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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