Founded in 1889, Woodberry Forest School is an all-boarding community for boys in grades nine through twelve.
A Woodberry education, centered around a century-old, student-run honor system, emphasizes intellectual thoroughness and moral integrity.
Our 1200-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities and technology for academic, athletic, and artistic endeavors.
All students participate in an extensive leadership development program.
Our school is located in scenic Madison County, Virginia, a short drive from Washington, D.C., Charlottesville, or Richmond.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 400 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,850
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Average class size: 9 students
- Application Deadline: Nov. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Woodberry Forest School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 277 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Boarding Focus
School Resources
School Resources
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
Year Founded
1889
1907
Campus Size
1200 acres
125 acres
Colors
Orange & Black
Student Body
Enrollment
400 students
315 students
% Students of Color
24%
27%
% International Students
11%
21%
% Students Boarding
100%
70%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1170 - 1400
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
76%
73%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$450 million
(in Endowment and Managed Funds)
(in Endowment and Managed Funds)
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$69,850
$68,420
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
n/a
$37,600
% Students on Financial Aid
41%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$46,776
(Grant Range: $4,437 - $69,850.)
(Grant Range: $4,437 - $69,850.)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Nov. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
51%
64%
Director of Admissions
Karla Vargas-Kennedy
Chase Spong
Chase Spong
Associate Director of Admissions
Sydney Woodward
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
23
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
34
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
CaucusChess Club
Dance ClubDrone Club
Environmental ClubFly-Fishing Club
Gay Straight AllianceInternational Forum
Investment ClubLemon Tree Film Club
math leagueModel United Nations
Outdoors ClubPaintball Club
Peer Leadership CouncilRobotics Club
Rod and Gun ClubRopes Course Instructors
Rubik's Cube ClubScience Olympiad
Speech and DebateStudent Bands
Student Conservation CommitteeThe Fir Tree Yearbook
The OracleThe Talon
Vegetable Gardening InitiativeWoodberry Christian Fellowship
Woodberry Forest School Production NetworkYoung Democrats
Young LibertariansYoung Republicans
College Matriculation
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of Virginia
55
University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill
34
Sewanee: The University of the South
28
Washington and Lee University
26
Texas Christian Univeristy
24
University of South Carolina
22
Wofford College
18
Southern Methodist University
15
North Carolina University
14
The University of Georgia
14
School Notes
- Join a community where boys are known, challenged, and loved. Woodberry is a school for boys who want something else, something more than they can get at home. It`s a school for boys who love a challenge and know that a hard thing is always worth doing. On our beautiful campus in the Virginia countryside, boys join an enduring community, develop friendships that last a lifetime, and gain a sense of self-confidence that is balanced by humility. They are mentored by teachers and coaches who devote their lives to the school and the boys who live and learn here. Together students and teachers pursue excellence in all areas of our community's life. Woodberry students graduate as young men who are becoming the very best versions of themselves. They graduate with a sense of honor and moral purpose, thanks to the uncommon experience they`ve had here together. Together Woodberry boys are shaping what it means to be a man in today`s ever-changing world.
- Woodberry Forest School accreditations: Accredited by Southern Assoication of Colleges and Schools and Virginia Association of Independent Schools. Member College Board, NACAC, and NAIS
- School Motto: Education is training for service to others.
- School Mascot: Tigers
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Woodberry Forest School cost?
Woodberry Forest School's tuition is approximately $69,850 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Woodberry Forest School?
The acceptance rate of Woodberry Forest School is 51%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
What sports does Woodberry Forest School offer?
Woodberry Forest School offers 23 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Diving, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Markmanship, Marksmanship, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Winter Track and Wrestling.
Does Woodberry Forest School offer a summer program?
Yes, Woodberry Forest School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Woodberry Forest School's ranking?
Woodberry Forest School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of boarding students, Large financial endowment and Highest endowment/student.
When is the application deadline for Woodberry Forest School?
The application deadline for Woodberry Forest School is Nov. 15 / Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Nov. 15 / Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
The thing I liked best about Woodberry was the incredible friends I made. Thirteen years after I graduated they're still my best friends. Living together on a dorm was a really cool experience and let. . .
WFS was pretty unique in that it was an all boys school. This aspect of the school really scares off potential students, but I can't even remember the number of classmates I had my. . .
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People that viewed Woodberry Forest School also viewed these schools: Mercersburg Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Choate Rosemary Hall, St. Andrew's School, DE and Phillips Exeter Academy.
The nearest boarding school to Woodberry Forest School is Blue Ridge School (23.8 miles away)
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