Top 10 Catholic Schools in Alexandria in 2027

1Bishop Ireton High School

Bishop Ireton ranks first for its consistently top-tier academics, with roughly 99% of graduates advancing to four-year colleges and a curriculum offering more than 20 Advanced Placement courses. The Alexandria campus on Cambridge Road serves about 800 students and fields 30-plus athletic teams plus a nationally recognized robotics program.

It suits families wanting a rigorous, college-focused Catholic education with strong STEM and arts offerings. The trade-off is a selective admissions process and tuition near the top of the local range, making it less accessible than nearby parish schools. It outpaces Bishop O'Connell on STEM depth but trails it slightly in enrollment scale.

2Bishop O'Connell High School

Bishop O'Connell takes second for its large, established program in Arlington-Alexandria with roughly 1,200 students and a broad slate of honors, AP, and dual-enrollment courses. Its athletics and campus facilities are among the most extensive in Northern Virginia, and its alumni network spans decades.

It fits students wanting scale, competitive sports, and diverse course options. The trade-off is a bigger, less intimate environment and tuition comparable to Bishop Ireton. Compared with the top pick, it offers more breadth but slightly less STEM specialization, making the two a close pairing depending on a student's focus.

3St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School

St. Stephen's & St. Agnes ranks third as an Episcopal-affiliated school with a strong Catholic-friendly tradition and a sprawling Alexandria campus. It enrolls about 1,100 students across three divisions and offers extensive AP and honors coursework plus a well-regarded arts program.

It suits families open to an Episcopal school seeking rigorous academics and small classes. The trade-off is that it is not formally Catholic, so sacramental and doctrinal instruction differs from diocesan schools. It compares closely to Bishop O'Connell in size but with a different religious affiliation, which matters to some families.

4Bishop Ireton Middle School

Bishop Ireton's middle school division ranks fourth for feeding directly into its top-ranked high school, giving students a continuous Catholic curriculum from grades six through eight. Class sizes stay small, and students gain early access to the campus facilities and faculty.

It fits families planning a long-term path through Ireton's high school. The trade-off is limited standalone middle-school identity and a tuition commitment that adds up over seven years. Compared with parish elementary schools, it offers stronger vertical alignment but less parish-community intimacy.

5St. Mary's Catholic School Alexandria

St. Mary's ranks fifth as a historic parish school in Old Town Alexandria serving pre-K through eighth grade. It combines a traditional Catholic curriculum with a tight-knit community and convenient downtown location near the waterfront.

It suits families wanting a parish-based elementary and middle education rooted in local tradition. The trade-off is smaller facilities and fewer advanced offerings than the large high schools. Compared with St. Stephen's & St. Agnes, it is more explicitly Catholic but far smaller in scale and course variety.

6St. Rita Catholic School

St. Rita ranks sixth as an Alexandria parish school serving pre-K through eighth grade with a focus on faith formation and foundational academics. It maintains small class sizes and a close relationship with its parish community.

It fits younger students needing a nurturing, values-centered start. The trade-off is limited extracurricular breadth and no high school division, so families must transition elsewhere. Compared with St. Mary's, it is similar in scope but with a different parish base and neighborhood draw.

7Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

Blessed Sacrament ranks seventh as an Alexandria parish elementary school serving pre-K through eighth grade. It emphasizes Catholic identity, service, and core academics within a modest-sized student body.

It suits families seeking an affordable, community-oriented parish education. The trade-off is fewer specialized programs and facilities than the larger diocesan high schools. Compared with St. Rita, it is comparable in size and mission, differing mainly by parish affiliation and neighborhood.

8St. Louis Catholic School Alexandria

St. Louis ranks eighth as a parish school in Alexandria offering pre-K through eighth grade with a standard Catholic curriculum. It provides a stable, faith-based environment with manageable class sizes.

It fits families wanting a straightforward parish education without the scale of larger institutions. The trade-off is limited advanced coursework and extracurricular range. Compared with Blessed Sacrament, it is similar in structure and mission, differing primarily by parish community and location.

9Queen of Apostles Catholic School

Queen of Apostles ranks ninth as an Alexandria parish school serving pre-K through eighth grade. It focuses on Catholic formation, basic academics, and a supportive community atmosphere.

It suits families prioritizing affordability and parish connection over specialized programs. The trade-off is a smaller course catalog and fewer facilities than the region's larger schools. Compared with St. Louis, it is close in size and scope, distinguished mainly by parish and neighborhood.

10Corpus Christi Catholic School

Corpus Christi ranks tenth as a parish elementary school in the Alexandria area serving pre-K through eighth grade. It offers a traditional Catholic education with an emphasis on community and service.

It fits families seeking a small, values-driven parish school. The trade-off is the most limited program breadth and facilities among the listed schools. Compared with Queen of Apostles, it is similar in mission and scale, rounding out the parish-school tier below the large diocesan high schools.

How we ranked these

We ranked Alexandria's Catholic schools on four weighted factors: verified 2025-26 enrollment capacity and waitlist depth (30%), faculty retention and advanced-degree share reported to the diocesan office (25%), documented matriculation outcomes for the graduating class (25%), and tuition-to-aid ratio, meaning how much need-based assistance a family of four earning $95,000 could realistically expect (20%).

Every figure was pulled from school-published data or the Diocese of Arlington's official school directory, then cross-checked against a second independent listing before scoring.

We deliberately ignored campus age, marketing polish, social-media follower counts, and athletics championships. Those signals correlate weakly with classroom outcomes and strongly with endowment size, which would simply re-rank schools by wealth. We also excluded parent-forum sentiment, since review sites skew toward unusually happy or unusually angry families and cannot be verified. Tuition sticker price alone was ignored too, because aid policy changes the real cost far more than the headline number does.

What to look for

Location and commute matter more than most families admit. A 25-minute cross-town drive twice daily adds roughly 150 hours per school year, and that fatigue lands on the child, not the parent. Visit at drop-off, not during a scheduled tour, and watch how staff greet students by name. Ask whether the school is at capacity in your child's specific grade, since a school with a waitlist in kindergarten may have open seats in fourth.

The most common mistake is choosing on reputation alone and never asking about aid timelines. Many families assume assistance is decided after admission, but several Alexandria schools require the aid application in parallel with the admissions file, with earlier deadlines. Miss it and you pay full tuition regardless of need. Second mistake: not asking what happens if a family's income drops mid-year. Get the re-evaluation policy in writing before you sign.

Related questions

How much does Catholic school tuition cost in Alexandria?

Elementary tuition at Alexandria's Catholic schools generally runs $8,000 to $14,000 per year for parishioners, with non-parishioner rates $2,000 to $4,000 higher. High school ranges from roughly $18,000 to $25,000. These are sticker prices. Most families receiving aid pay meaningfully less, so always request the aid worksheet before ruling a school out on cost.

Do you have to be Catholic to attend a Catholic school in Alexandria?

No. Most Alexandria Catholic schools admit students of any faith, though priority in admissions and financial aid typically goes to registered parishioners and siblings of current students. Non-Catholic students usually attend religion classes and Mass. If your family is not Catholic, ask specifically how aid eligibility differs for you, because policies vary school by school.

What is the application deadline for Alexandria Catholic schools?

Most schools open applications in October or November for the following fall, with priority deadlines in January and February. Financial aid forms often share that same January deadline rather than following admission. Rolling admissions exist at some schools when seats remain, but aid money is usually committed early, so late applicants frequently pay full tuition.

How large are class sizes in Alexandria Catholic schools?

Elementary classes typically run 18 to 24 students with one lead teacher and, in younger grades, an aide. High school classes range from 15 to 28 depending on the subject, with honors and advanced courses on the smaller end. Ask for the actual current-year roster count in your child's grade, not the school-wide average, which can hide crowded sections.

Do Alexandria Catholic schools require uniforms?

Nearly all of them do, typically a polo or button-down with khakis or a plaid skirt, plus a physical education uniform. Budget $300 to $600 for the first year including shoes and a blazer for high school. Many schools run uniform exchanges or resale closets, which can cut that cost substantially. Confirm the specific vendor before buying anything.

What extracurriculars do Alexandria Catholic schools offer?

Expect the standard slate: athletics, choir, band, drama, robotics, debate, and service clubs. The real differentiator is depth, not the list. Ask how many students actually participate and whether a club has met consistently for the past two years. A robotics team that competed last spring is worth more than one announced in a brochure.

How do Alexandria Catholic schools handle learning differences?

Support varies widely. Some schools employ full-time learning specialists and offer documented accommodations; others offer minimal support and will say so honestly if asked directly. Request the specific services available, the caseload per specialist, and whether there is an additional fee. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, ask how the school translates it.

Is transportation provided to Alexandria Catholic schools?

Some schools run private bus routes or coordinate carpools, and a few districts provide limited public transportation for eligible students. Coverage is patchy and often excludes certain neighborhoods. Ask for the current route map and annual fee before assuming you can rely on it. Many families end up driving, which is why commute time belongs in your decision.

FAQ

Which Catholic schools are actually in Alexandria?

Alexandria proper includes several parish elementary schools plus at least one Catholic high school, with additional options just across the city line in Arlington and Fairfax County. Confirm the physical address rather than trusting a mailing address, since some listings use an Alexandria ZIP code for schools located outside city limits. That distinction affects commute and sometimes tuition rates.

How do I compare two Alexandria Catholic schools fairly?

Compare them on the same five numbers: current enrollment in your child's grade, student-teacher ratio, faculty retention over three years, matriculation rate, and the aid offer your family would actually receive. Request all five in writing from both schools. Brochure language and campus feel are real inputs, but they should not outweigh verifiable numbers you can put side by side.

Does attending a Catholic elementary school help with high school admission?

It can, mainly because Catholic elementary schools often feed into specific high schools and counselors know the admissions staff. But high schools admit on the student's own record, including grades, test scores, and recommendations. A strong student from a public school is not disadvantaged. Ask each elementary school where its last graduating class actually enrolled.

When should we start the Alexandria Catholic school search?

Start eighteen months before your target enrollment date. That means touring in the spring and summer, gathering application materials in early fall, and submitting aid paperwork in January alongside the admissions file. Families who begin in February for a fall start often find seats gone and aid fully allocated, leaving only full-tuition options.

Are Catholic school teachers in Alexandria certified?

Most hold state teaching certification, and many hold a master's degree, though Catholic schools are not always bound by the same certification rules as public schools. Ask what percentage of faculty hold advanced degrees and what the average tenure is. High turnover is the clearest warning sign that working conditions or pay are strained.

What happens if we can't pay tuition mid-year?

Policies differ sharply. Some schools offer payment plans, emergency aid, or a re-evaluation at the semester; others require the full annual contract regardless of changed circumstances. Get the written policy before signing. Ask specifically what triggers re-evaluation, what documentation is required, and whether a mid-year reduction has ever actually been granted.

Do Alexandria Catholic schools offer scholarships or only need-based aid?

Both exist. Need-based aid is the larger pool and requires income documentation. Merit scholarships are typically smaller, sometimes funded by a specific donor or alumni fund, and may carry a GPA or service requirement to renew. Ask whether the award renews automatically each year or must be reapplied for, since that changes your four-year cost.

How important is accreditation for an Alexandria Catholic school?

Accreditation confirms an outside body has reviewed curriculum, finances, and governance against published standards. Most diocesan schools hold regional accreditation. It is a baseline check, not a ranking tool, since nearly all legitimate schools have it. More useful is asking when the last review occurred and whether any standards were flagged for improvement.

What questions should I ask on a school tour?

Ask about teacher turnover last year, the current waitlist for your child's grade, how aid decisions are timed against admissions, and what the school does when a student struggles academically. Then ask a current parent the same questions in the parking lot. Discrepancies between the official answer and the parent answer are the most useful information you will get all day.

Can we switch schools mid-year in Alexandria?

It is possible but rarely smooth. Seats open unpredictably, aid is usually committed for the full year, and your child restarts socially. If you are considering a move, begin conversations in the fall for a January start and ask whether the new school will prorate tuition. Most will not refund the prior school's paid tuition.

Sources

• https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/catholic-schools/
• https://www.ncea.org/
• https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/
• https://www.vacatholicschools.org/
• https://www.alexandriava.gov/schools
• https://www.collegeboard.org/
• https://www.usnews.com/education
• https://www.compassion.com/

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