All open house dates updated as of October 5, 2026
Thinking about private school for your child? There are many wonderful local options to explore!
To plan your research, we’ve rounded up all the upcoming admissions events for Charlottesville-area private school. This guide includes open houses, campus visits, shadow days, and other events for families exploring their private school options in and around Charlottesville.
Private School Open Houses & Admissions Events in Charlottesville
Fall is the perfect time to start exploring private school options for the current and upcoming school years. Many Charlottesville-area private schools are accepting applications and hosting open houses, campus visits, admissions receptions and other events for prospective families.
Whether you’re looking for a preschool, elementary school, middle school or college-preparatory high school, visiting a school in person can be one of the best ways to determine whether it’s the right fit for your child and family.
Blue Ridge School
Grades 9–12 • Learn More
Open Houses
October 19 & November 9, 2026
Blue Ridge School is a college-preparatory boarding school for boys in grades 9–12. Located on a 750-acre campus near Charlottesville, the school combines challenging academics with athletics, outdoor experiences, leadership opportunities and a supportive residential community.
Charlottesville Catholic School
PK–Grade 8 • Learn More
Open House
November 18, 2026 • 4–6 PM
Charlottesville Catholic School combines challenging academics with a nurturing, supportive environment rooted in faith and community. The school helps students discover and develop their individual gifts while emphasizing scholarship, service and character.
Charlottesville Day School
PK–Grade 8 • Learn More
Campus Visits
By appointment
Charlottesville Day School is a nonsectarian independent school serving students from preschool through Grade 8. Its close-knit community emphasizes engaging academics, music, movement and the arts while recognizing each child’s individual potential and learning style.
Charlottesville Waldorf School
Pre-K–Grade 8 • Learn More
Open House
October 17, 2026 at 10 AM
Charlottesville Waldorf School takes a holistic approach to education, integrating academics with art, music, movement, hands-on learning and outdoor exploration. The school emphasizes creativity, curiosity, imagination and strong community connections.
Chesterton Academy of St. John the Evangelist
Grades 9–12 • Learn More
Shadow Days
Ongoing | Call to schedule: 434-381-4284
Chesterton Academy offers a classical Catholic education for high school students, combining rigorous academics with faith, friendship and character formation. Shadow Days give prospective students an opportunity to experience the classroom and community firsthand.
The Covenant School
PK-Grade 12 • Learn More
Admissions Receptions & Special Events
Birdwood Campus (Pre-K–Grade 5)
October 15, 2026 | October 21, 2026 | January 22, 2027
Hickory Campus (Grades 6–12)
October 16, 2026 | October 22, 2026 | January 25, 2027
Discover Covenant JOY (Prospective Kindergarten)
December 3, 2026 at 9 AM
Discover Covenant (Prospective 9th–10th Grade)
December 11, 2026 from 6:30–8 PM
Discover Covenant (Middle School)
January 23, 2027 from 2–3:30 PM
The Covenant School is a non-denominational Christian day school offering a Liberal Arts and Sciences education from Pre-K through Grade 12. The school emphasizes academic excellence, character development, faith, arts, athletics and a vibrant community.
Field School
Grades 5–8 • Learn More
Open Houses
October 14, October 27, November 5, November 18 & December 10, 2026
Field School is a small, highly personalized middle school for boys in grades 5–8. Its program emphasizes close relationships, individualized attention and hands-on learning while helping students develop confidence, independence and ownership of their education.
Miller School of Albemarle
Grades 8–12 • Learn More
Open Houses
October 13 & November 2, 2026
January 15, 2027
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Miller School of Albemarle combines rigorous academics with practical, hands-on learning. The school serves both boarding and day students and emphasizes the development of students’ minds, hands and hearts.
Mountaintop Montessori
PK–Grade 8 • Learn More
Fall Fest
October 11, 2026 • 1–5 PM
Mountaintop Montessori offers an authentic Montessori education in mixed-age classrooms, encouraging independence, curiosity, hands-on exploration and a love of learning. Fall Fest gives prospective families an opportunity to experience the school’s community firsthand.
North Branch School
Pre-K–8 • Learn More
Campus Visits
By appointment
North Branch School offers academic rigor in a nurturing, hands-on environment. Students develop skills in academics, the arts and life skills while spending significant time outdoors on the school’s 11-acre campus.
Oakland School
Grades K–12 • Learn More
Open House
October 28, 2026
Registration required
Oakland School provides individualized education for students who benefit from personalized learning and one-to-one instruction. Its ungraded, student-centered approach allows teachers to meet students where they are academically while helping them build confidence, independence and a love of learning.
Peabody School
Pre-K–Grade 8 • Learn More
Open Houses
October 7, 2026
February 10, 2027
Peabody School serves academically advanced students from Pre-K through Grade 8. The school provides differentiated instruction and a challenging academic environment designed to nurture curiosity, intellectual engagement, autonomy and leadership.
Renaissance School
Grades 9–12 • Learn More
Open House
November 2, 2026 at 8:15 AM
Registration required
Renaissance School is a college-preparatory high school for academically advanced students interested in the arts, sciences and humanities. The school emphasizes intellectual curiosity, creativity, civic engagement and developing a strong sense of self.
St. Anne’s-Belfield School
PK–Grade 12 • Learn More
Campus Visits
By appointment
St. Anne’s-Belfield is a coeducational independent day school serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12. The school combines challenging academics with opportunities in athletics, arts, leadership and service across its two Charlottesville campuses.
Tandem Friends School
Grades 5–12 • Learn More
Admissions Information Sessions
2026: October 13 at 9 AM, November 16 at 9 AM, December 2 at 9 AM
2027: January 19 at 10:30 AM, February 9 at 10:30 AM
Tandem Friends School is a coeducational day school rooted in Quaker values. Its college-preparatory program combines academic excellence with creative expression, service, independent thinking and a strong sense of community.
Woodberry Forest School
Grades 9–12 • Learn More
Open Houses
October 11 & 12, 2026
Woodberry Forest is a boarding and day school for boys in grades 9–12. Its college-preparatory program combines rigorous academics with leadership, athletics, hands-on learning and community life on a 1,200-acre campus in central Virginia.
Planning to attend an open house? We recommend checking with each school before heading out, as event dates, times, registration requirements, and admissions deadlines can change.
Exploring Your School Options in Central Virginia
Choosing the right school is about more than academics. Open houses and campus visits are a great way to meet teachers, see classrooms, learn about each school’s educational philosophy, and get a feel for the community.
If you’re still weighing your options, CharlottesvilleFamily has more resources to help you navigate the local school landscape:
- Private School Guide: Explore more Charlottesville-area private schools and boarding schools in Central Virginia.
- Albemarle County Public Schools: Learn more about local public schools, including AP classes, International Baccalaureate, and sports.
- Charlottesville City Public Schools: Learn more about public schools in the city of Charlottesville, including dual enrollment, AP classes, and arts programs.
Learn more about education in the Charlottesville area, including phone-free schools, how IEP or 504 plans work in public schools, and knowing when to hire a tutor. Plus, get tips on how to help kids create good homework habits and support your child’s learning style.
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SUZANNAH SPAAR is the editor of CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, an accomplished poet, beloved teacher, and mom to two adventurous readers.