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:
- Elementary Schools: Crozet Elementary, Brownsville Elementary, and Ivy Elementary
- Middle School: Henley Middle School
- High School: Western Albemarle High
- UVA
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.