Washington, D.C., is an incubator for the nation’s top academic talent. But with this reputation comes a ton of competition for local high school students. How should the families of high school students or soon-to-be high school students in the D.C. area prepare for elite college admission?

Elite College Admission Starts With Strategically Choosing a High School

It’s time we at Ivy Coach let our prospective clients in on a little secret. Not everything that glitters is gold when it comes to supposedly prestigious high schools in the D.C. area. Some schools that appear to have all the trappings of an elite high school (such as a huge endowment, a competitive admissions process, or a star-studded alumni list) actually don’t have strong relationships with the admissions offices of highly selective universities, and their alumni don’t go as far as one might expect.

We would never share our recommendations or the rationale behind them for high schools in the D.C. area with prospective clients, as we keep this list of schools that are actually gold (and not just glittering!) a secret to all but our clients. However, there are some schools in the D.C. area that, whether they’re actually worth their salt or not, have quite a reputation.

Popular Washington, D.C. and Northern VA High Schools

As you peruse this list, remember that these are the schools that tend to capture the attention of parents of ambitious students, but are not necessarily the best high schools out there. The high school that’s the best fit for your child should be determined according to their specific needs, goals, and the help of a former college admissions officer who can give you the inside scoop on whether the school you’re looking into actually has a strong reputation with elite college admissions offices.

Popular D.C. Area Private Schools

The Field School
Georgetown Day School
Maret School
National Cathedral School
St. Albans School
Sidwell Friends School
Washington International School

Popular Northern VA Public Schools

Freedom High School
Langley High School
Lightride High School
Madison High School
McLean High School
Meridian High School
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Let’s zero in on a few of these schools with some more details.

Sidwell Friends School: A High School of Presidential Caliber

You might recognize Sidwell Friends School as the high school of choice for sitting presidents with teenage students. And yes, the “Friends” of Sidwell Friends refers to this private preparatory school’s Quaker origins. In 2018, Sidwell Friends made the unorthodox (but increasingly popular) decision to phase out AP classes from its curriculum in favor of a more individualized approach to academics that is no less rigorous. But how could students at this school forego APs without compromising their college admissions competitiveness? 

They still sit for AP exams, of course! Students at Sidwell Friends who really mean business about getting into a top college (as do all of Ivy Coach’s students who attend any school without AP courses!) get the sign-off from the school to sit for AP exams so they don’t fall behind their peers.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

TJHSST, located in Fairfax County, Virginia, is perhaps best known in the media for educating a brilliant student who received acceptance letters from every Ivy League school during her senior year (we remain very proud!).

However, earning admission to Thomas Jefferson is no walk in the park. In the wake of the high-profile lawsuit again the school alleging discrimination against Asian American applicants on the basis of the equity-driven admissions criteria that TJHSST put into place in 2020 to increase underrepresented minority enrollment in the student body, the acceptance rate went up slightly, but this public magnet school still routinely denies admission to around 80% of applicants.

Even though the lawsuit was eventually thrown out by the courts, Asian American students may indeed be subject to discrimination in the TJHSST admissions process. While legal challenges have proven not to be the answer, there are more effective ways to shore up your child’s chances of earning admission to TJHSST (or another local high school, as TJHSST might not be the right fit!).

How Our College Admissions Consultants in D.C. Help Students Secure Elite College Admission

Are you the parent of a child in the D.C. metro area intent on applying to a highly selective college? Don’t dive headfirst into the shark tank that is the D.C. and Northern Virginia high school ecosystem without guidance. Ivy Coach will optimize your child’s odds of admission while helping you steer clear of the many pitfalls associated with elite college admissions anywhere in the U.S. (not just D.C.!).

If you’re interested in getting started with us, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our services led by our team of former elite college admissions officers.