Virginia has the strongest boarding school cluster in the American South, led by Woodberry Forest School and Episcopal High School — both fully residential. Boarding tuition runs $55,000–$72,000 per year in 2026, below New England equivalents, and the state hosts more military boarding schools than anywhere else in the US.
Key facts about Virginia boarding schools
- Virginia has the South’s largest concentration of boarding schools.
- Woodberry Forest and Episcopal High School are both 100% boarding — no day students.
- Boarding tuition runs $55,000–$72,000, generally below New England pricing.
- Four military academies operate in Virginia at $35,000–$48,000 per year.
- Foxcroft and Chatham Hall are the state’s two established all-girls boarding schools.
Which are the top boarding schools in Virginia?
| School | Town | Type | Boarding tuition | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodberry Forest School | Orange | Boys, 9–12, all boarding | ~$69,000 | ~30% |
| Episcopal High School | Alexandria | Coed, 9–12, all boarding | ~$72,000 | ~35% |
| Foxcroft School | Middleburg | Girls, 9–12 | ~$68,000 | ~55% |
| Chatham Hall | Chatham | Girls, 9–12 | ~$62,000 | ~60% |
| Virginia Episcopal School | Lynchburg | Coed, 9–12 | ~$58,000 | ~65% |
| Blue Ridge School | St. George | Boys, 9–12, all boarding | ~$62,000 | ~70% |
| Christchurch School | Christchurch | Coed, 9–12 | ~$59,000 | ~70% |
| Fork Union Military Academy | Fork Union | Boys, 7–12, PG | ~$42,000 | ~75% |
| Hargrave Military Academy | Chatham | Boys, 7–12, PG | ~$40,000 | ~75% |
| Randolph-Macon Academy | Front Royal | Coed, 6–12 | ~$45,000 | ~75% |
Why consider Virginia over New England?
Virginia offers three practical advantages: lower tuition for comparable programs, a high share of fully residential schools where weekends stay busy, and easier access from the mid-Atlantic and South. Woodberry Forest and Episcopal High School both enroll only boarders — an unusual structure that eliminates the weekend-emptying problem common at mixed day/boarding schools.
The trade-off is a shorter selectivity ladder than New England and fewer coed elite options. See the national list to round out a balanced application list, and acceptance rates for tier planning.
Virginia’s military academies
Virginia hosts four military boarding schools — Fork Union, Hargrave, Randolph-Macon Academy, and Massanutten — charging $35,000–$48,000 per year, roughly $25,000 below the state’s traditional prep schools. They carry no service obligation and admit most applicants, but they screen out serious behavioral problems. Full context in military boarding schools.
For the all-girls options, see all-girls boarding schools; for Woodberry and Blue Ridge, see all-boys boarding schools. Other states are indexed in best boarding schools by state.
Virginia boarding school FAQ
What is the best boarding school in Virginia?
Woodberry Forest School in Orange is Virginia's most prominent boarding school — an all-boys, 100% boarding school with roughly 30% acceptance and a strong endowment. Episcopal High School in Alexandria is the other leading option, also fully residential, and coeducational.
How much do Virginia boarding schools cost?
Virginia boarding schools charge $55,000–$72,000 per year for boarding in 2025–26 — generally below New England equivalents. Woodberry Forest runs approximately $69,000 all-inclusive, and military academies such as Fork Union and Hargrave charge $35,000–$45,000.
Are there military boarding schools in Virginia?
Yes — Virginia has more military boarding schools than any other state, including Fork Union Military Academy, Hargrave Military Academy, Randolph-Macon Academy, and Massanutten Military Academy. They charge $35,000–$48,000 per year, well below traditional prep schools, with no service obligation.
Are there all-girls boarding schools in Virginia?
Yes. Foxcroft School in Middleburg and Chatham Hall in Chatham are Virginia's two established all-girls boarding schools, both with riding programs and boarding tuition in the $60,000–$68,000 range. Both admit roughly 50–60% of applicants.
Sources
- Woodberry Forest School and Episcopal High School: published tuition and admission data.
- AMCSUS: Virginia military academy listings.
- Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS): state school directory.