ChoiceFunded What your state pays

Private schools in Virginia

EISTC pays up to the state share of per-pupil public school funding where you live. Virginia students whose family income is no more than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, or 400% for a student with an IEP. A first scholarship generally requires coming from a Virginia public school, entering kindergarten or first grade, or being new to Virginia; prior EISTC recipients also qualify, and students with an IEP do not have to meet that test. At-risk 4-year-olds can receive pre-K scholarships.

631 schools listed
96,211 students (2023-24)
VA
Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits Tax-credit scholarship
Up to the state share of per-pupil public school funding where you live The ceiling differs by school division. Students with disabilities at licensed special education schools can receive up to three times that share. In fiscal 2025, 5,336 scholarships were reported against $15.3 million in donor credits.

Figures read from each program’s official pages, October 2, 2026. Sources and how to apply

35 scholarship foundations were approved in fiscal 2025, and they reported 5,336 scholarships. Donor credits are capped at $25 million a year.

Worth knowing: The donor tax credit applies only to tax years that begin before January 1, 2028. A 2025 bill to remove that limit died in committee, and no 2026 change was found. Unless the General Assembly extends it, donations stop earning the state credit after 2027. Virginia is on the IRS list for the new federal scholarship tax credit that starts January 1, 2027.

How EISTC works, start to finish

By city

The number is how many private schools sit within 6 miles of each town (12 miles for smaller towns), so nearby towns can overlap.

By kind of school

By county

The largest private schools in Virginia

SchoolCityGradesStudentsPer teacherAffiliation
The Keystone SchoolRestonK-128,873not reportedNonsectarian
Collegiate SchoolRichmondPreK-121,62310Nonsectarian
Norfolk AcademyNorfolk1-121,20710.5Nonsectarian
St. Paul VI Catholic High SchoolChantilly9-121,18310.7Roman Catholic
Bishop Denis J. Oconnell High SchoolArlington9-121,1559.5Roman Catholic
Fredericksburg Christian SchoolFredericksburgPreK-121,00511.4Christian (nondenominational)
Cape Henry Collegiate SchoolVirginia BeachPreK-129764.9Nonsectarian
Bishop Ireton High SchoolAlexandria9-1292112Roman Catholic
St. Catherines SchoolRichmondPreK-128956.3Episcopal, all-girls
Nansemond-Suffolk AcademySuffolkPreK-1282811.9Nonsectarian
Atlantic Shores Christian SchoolChesapeakePreK-127789.5Christian (nondenominational)
Trinity Christian School of FairfaxFairfaxK-1275710.7Christian (nondenominational)
The Basilica School of St. MaryAlexandriaPreK-869117.3Roman Catholic
The Steward SchoolRichmondPreK-126908.8Nonsectarian
Norfolk Christian SchoolsNorfolkPreK-126888.2Christian (nondenominational)

What private school costs in Virginia

We have read published tuition on 41 Virginia school websites. The middle price is $15,290 for kindergarten to grade 5 (35 schools), $15,407 for grades 6 to 8 (36 schools), $23,865 for grades 9 to 12 (28 schools). Published prices run from $6,200 to $50,990 a year.

These are the schools we have verified so far, mostly larger ones, so treat the figures as a guide rather than an average. Each school's page links its source. Private school tuition in Virginia, school by school. Tuition in every state.

Run your own numbers

What would you pay?

We could not confirm this year’s EISTC amount, so type in the figure from your award letter. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.

Get one email when applications open

Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.

One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.

Questions parents ask

How much does Virginia pay toward private school?

Up to the state share of per-pupil public school funding where you live. The ceiling differs by school division. Students with disabilities at licensed special education schools can receive up to three times that share. In fiscal 2025, 5,336 scholarships were reported against $15.3 million in donor credits.

Who can get it?

Virginia students whose family income is no more than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, or 400% for a student with an IEP. A first scholarship generally requires coming from a Virginia public school, entering kindergarten or first grade, or being new to Virginia; prior EISTC recipients also qualify, and students with an IEP do not have to meet that test. At-risk 4-year-olds can receive pre-K scholarships.

Is there still room?

35 scholarship foundations were approved in fiscal 2025, and they reported 5,336 scholarships. Donor credits are capped at $25 million a year.

How do I know a school takes EISTC?

The Virginia Department of Education shows participating schools only on an interactive map, with no downloadable list. We do not mark Virginia schools. Ask the school whether it takes EISTC scholarships.

Pick your city How EISTC works