Annandale is a well-established area within the Fairfax County public school system, but there are still families looking into private schools.

Some may prioritize a religious educational environment, prefer a smaller school, or choose based on specific educational programs.

We have checked the current tuition for three schools worth considering for commuting around Annandale.

First is Bishop O'Connell High School.

This co-educational Catholic high school in Arlington was established in 1957. Its relatively close proximity to Annandale makes it a viable commuting option.

However, tuition has increased significantly from the previously reported level of $17,000.

The official tuition for the 2026-2027 school year is $22,903 for Catholic students and $25,434 for students of other religions. International students pay $29,231. Additional costs for registration, technology fees, uniforms, and textbooks may apply.

The second school is Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria.

This Catholic college-preparatory school, established in 1964, is within driving distance from Annandale.

It's important to look closely at the tuition for this school as well.

For the 2026-2027 school year, the tuition for the first child is $21,550 for Catholic students and $26,250 for non-Catholic students. There is a structure where the tuition decreases for siblings attending together starting from the second child.

Additionally, expect to pay around $495 for registration and activity fees, and about $350 to $700 for textbooks and supplies, along with approximately $300 to $400 for uniforms.

Thus, even for a Catholic private high school, families in Northern Virginia should anticipate annual education costs exceeding $20,000.

The third school is The Madeira School, which is entirely different in character. This all-girls school for grades 9-12 in McLean was established in 1906.

It features a campus of about 376 acres located along the Potomac River and accommodates both day and boarding students.

However, the tuition here shows a significant difference compared to the first two schools.

For the 2026-2027 school year, the tuition for Day Students is $60,000, while Boarding Students pay a staggering $77,000.

Therefore, it is incorrect to consider Madeira as a $20,000 range private school like Bishop O'Connell or Bishop Ireton.

It should be viewed as an independent private school in a completely different price range.

On the other hand, there is substantial financial aid available. According to official school data, 122 students receive financial aid, with an average award of about $29,000 for day students and $49,350 for boarding students. The average merit scholarship based on academic performance is also around $8,900.

Ultimately, when looking solely at tuition, the differences among the three schools are quite clear.

Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Ireton start at approximately $21,000 to $23,000 for Catholic students, while non-Catholic students are around $25,000 to $26,000. In contrast, Madeira charges $60,000 just for day students.

If you have two children attending private school, the situation changes significantly. Even at $20,000 per child, that totals over $40,000 annually, and planning for substantial education costs through college is necessary.

Still, the advantage of Annandale is the variety of options available.

With good public schools in Fairfax County as a foundation, families can compare private schools in Arlington, Alexandria, and McLean based on their child's personality, religion, and educational goals.

If you're considering private schools, it's advisable not to just look at the names or rankings but to actually visit the schools. Given the choice to pay anywhere from $20,000 to over $60,000 a year, ensuring that the school environment truly fits your child may be more important than the tuition itself.