Crozet Schools: What Parents Should Know in 2026

Complete Guide to Choosing the Right School is One of the Biggest Factors for Families Moving to Crozet

Choosing the right school is one of the most significant factors for families relocating to Crozet.

As a Crozet realtor since 2003, I can confirm that school zones significantly influence home values, neighborhood character, and long-term demand.

The great news is that Crozet and Western Albemarle offer some of the strongest public and private school options in Virginia.

This friendly guide covers every Crozet and Western Albemarle public school, nearby private schools, including St. Anne’s Belfield, tuition estimates, and links to trusted school rating sites so you can compare options quickly and confidently.

Crozet and Western Albemarle Public Schools

Albemarle County Public Schools serves the Crozet area, and most neighborhoods feed into the respected Western Albemarle school pyramid. This includes:

Note: If your child does not get into one of Virginia’s public universities after high school graduation and they would like to attend one, then there is HOPE. Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville (PVCC) is a local community college off I-64. Your child will attend PVCC and if after the first two years they maintain a B average they are automatically accepted into one of the public Virginia Universities: UVA, College of William and Mary, James Madison University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and 5 others.

You can confirm your official school zone using the Albemarle County GIS School Locator:
Albemarle School Zone Lookup

Crozet Elementary School

Grades: K to 5
Enrollment: About 545 students

Crozet Elementary earns solid reviews for its caring staff, walkable location, and bright new expansion. Families love the sense of community and the small teacher to student ratio of about 14 to 1.

Ratings:
GreatSchools
Niche
Public School Review

Brownsville Elementary School

Grades: K to 5
Location: Ivy

Brownsville is a large and popular elementary school east of Crozet. It is known for exceptional teachers, high parent involvement, and a warm, upbeat atmosphere. Many families living in Old Trail, Foxchase, Westhall, and parts of Ivy attend Brownsville.

Ratings:
GreatSchools
Niche

Ivy Elementary School

Grades: K to 5
Location: Ivy

Meriwether Lewis Elementary is consistently ranked among the strongest elementary schools in Central Virginia. The rural setting, long tenured staff, and strong academics draw families from Ivy, Free Union, and the Dick Woods Road area.

Ratings:
GreatSchools
Niche

Henley Middle School

Grades: 6 to 8

Henley Middle School sits beside Western Albemarle High School and offers excellent academic programs, strong performing arts, and clubs for every interest. The school participates in Albemarle’s project based learning model and prepares students well for WAHS.

Ratings:
GreatSchools
Niche

Western Albemarle High School

Grades: 9 to 12

Western Albemarle High School is nationally recognized for its academics, college preparation, athletic programs, and outdoor education. WAHS frequently ranks as one of the top public high schools in Virginia, and families moving to Crozet often cite this school as a primary reason.

Ratings:
Niche
GreatSchools

Private Schools Near Crozet

If you prefer a private education, Charlottesville offers several outstanding private schools within a short drive of Crozet. Below are the best known options along with typical tuition ranges.

St. Anne’s Belfield School

Grades: Pre K to 12
Tuition: 26,000 to 42,000

STAB offers rigorous academics, impressive arts and athletics, and a modern approach to learning. Many Crozet families choose STAB for its full campus experience and strong college placement.

Visit St. Anne’s Belfield

The Covenant School

Grades: Pre K to 12
Tuition: About 15,000 to 23,000

A Christian classical program with small class sizes, strong academics, and a close community.

Visit Covenant School

Charlottesville Catholic School

Grades: Pre K to 8
Tuition: 7,000 to 11,000

Families appreciate structure, community, and a whole child approach grounded in Catholic tradition.

Visit Charlottesville Catholic School

Charlottesville Day School

Grades: Age 2 to 8th grade
Tuition: 14,000 to 18,000

Known for a nurturing atmosphere, small classes, and creativity centered curriculum.

Miller School of Albemarle

Grades: 8 to 12
Type: Day and boarding
Tuition: 29,000 day and 63,000 boarding

Miller School offers a stunning 1,600 acre campus, mountain biking, engineering programs, and a supportive community.

Visit Miller School

Field School of Charlottesville

Grades: 5 to 8
Tuition: About 15,000

A small boys school focused on leadership, character, and hands on learning.

Charlottesville Waldorf School

Grades: Pre K to 8
Tuition: 10,000 to 19,000

A holistic, arts focused curriculum located on a peaceful wooded campus near Rio Road.

Mountaintop Montessori

Grades: 18 months to 8th grade
Tuition: 12,000 to 20,000

Hands on learning, mixed age classrooms, and Montessori principles define this beloved school.

Visit Mountaintop Montessori

Helpful Tools for Comparing Schools

These sites are the most trusted sources for school reviews and parent ratings:

Final Thoughts from a Crozet Realtor

Crozet has become one of the most desirable places to live in Central Virginia thanks to its excellent school options, natural scenery, and friendly community. Whether you choose public or private education, the area provides outstanding opportunities for your children.

If you ever need guidance on school zones or help finding a home in a specific district, I would love to help. I have assisted Crozet families since 2003 and know every neighborhood and school boundary inside and out.

Choosing the Right Crozet School

Choosing the right school in Crozet can feel overwhelming at first, but the good news is that every school in the Western Albemarle pyramid offers strong academics, supportive teachers, and active parent communities. The key is matching each school with your child’s learning style and your family’s lifestyle.

After helping Crozet families since 2003, here are the most important factors parents should consider.

1. Start With Your Child’s Learning Style

Each Crozet elementary school has its own personality.

Crozet Elementary
Warm, community centered, and walkable. A great match for families who love a close knit environment.

Brownsville Elementary
Larger, energetic, and fast paced. Ideal for children who enjoy a busy classroom setting and strong PTO involvement.

Ivy Elementary
Calm, rural, and academically strong. A perfect fit for children who thrive with structure and a quiet campus.

Understanding your child’s learning style helps families make more confident choices.

2. Consider How You Want Your Child to Grow

Every school offers something unique. Think about what matters most to your family:

  • Creative learning
  • Traditional academic rigor
  • Outdoor experiences
  • Small class sizes
  • Competitive athletics
  • Arts and music programs

For example, Western Albemarle High School excels in academics and athletics, while Henley Middle School shines in performing arts and hands on learning. Private schools add even more variety with classical, Montessori, and arts centered options.

3. Look at After School Life and Daily Rhythm

School choice is not only about academics. Consider everyday life:

  • How long do you want your child on the bus
  • Do you prefer a walkable school from your neighborhood
  • Do you need before or after school care
  • How involved do you want to be with the PTO

For example, Old Trail is walkable to Brownsville and Henley.

Western Ridge and Parkside Village enjoy short bus rides to Crozet Elementary.

Families along Free Union Road often prefer the rural rhythm at Ivy.

4. Explore Extracurricular Opportunities

Crozet schools offer a wide range of activities that can help narrow your focus:

  • Robotics
  • Mountain biking
  • Band and orchestra
  • Theater and chorus
  • Coding clubs
  • Outdoor adventure programs
  • Strong athletic teams at WAHS

If your child is passionate about a specific activity, this can guide your decision.

5. Take a Tour and Meet the Staff

School tours are one of the best ways to understand the culture and energy of each campus. During your visit, consider asking:

  • How does the school communicate with parents
  • What is the homework philosophy
  • How is technology used in the classroom
  • How are different learning styles supported

A school that feels right in person is usually the best fit.

6. Use Trusted School Rating Sites Wisely

Ratings offer helpful data, but they do not always reflect the full experience. Parent reviews often provide better insight into culture, teacher quality, and daily life.

Helpful links include:
GreatSchools
Niche School Rankings
Public School Review

7. Talk to Families in the Crozet Neighborhood You Like

Neighborhood culture and school culture often go hand in hand in Crozet. Parents in Old Trail, Western Ridge, Chesterfield Landing, Foothill Crossing, or Parkside Village can share firsthand stories that help you understand daily life at each school.

Since I have helped families move throughout Crozet for more than twenty years, I am always happy to share what parents consistently tell me about these schools and their surrounding neighborhoods.

8. Think Long Term: Crozet/Brownsville Elementary to Henley Middle  to Western Albemarle High School to UVA

Choosing a school is about more than your child’s starting grade. Think about the entire Western Albemarle pathway:

  • Crozet, Brownsville, or Meriwether Lewis Elementary
  • Henley Middle School
  • Western Albemarle High School
  • UVA

Stability across these transitions helps children feel secure and reduces the need to move again.

Final Thoughts About Crozet Schools: What Parents Should Know in 2026

You truly cannot make a bad choice in the Crozet school system.

The key is to match your child’s personality with the environment that helps them flourish.

Visit the schools, explore the neighborhoods, and read parent reviews to learn what each place feels like day to day.

If you ever want personalized guidance, I would be happy to share my insight from more than twenty years as a Crozet realtor.

I know these school boundaries and neighborhood personalities inside and out.