The Sycamore School vs. Commonwealth Academy
Should you attend The Sycamore School or Commonwealth Academy? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School

Top Rankings
The Sycamore School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Extracurriculars
Commonwealth Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Advanced Degrees
Overview
Located in Arlington, Virginia, The Sycamore School is a small independent school helping families reimagine what school can be. By providing an innovative approach to 5-12 grade education, our mastery-based learning model and personalized instruction in a small classroom environment help students feel seen and reconnect with their love for learning.
CA offers a college preparatory program. We help students tap into their potential and connect or reconnect with the parts of themselves that are creative and capable. CA is comfortable and confident in who we are. We strive to ensure that our students feel the same. CA brings intention to everything we do. This includes the balance of structure and flexibility that defines each day and our program overall. CA students are seen, heard, and understood. We believe strongly in the social-emotional side of education.
It`s part and parcel of our program. CA is a safe and caring community. Our school is a place where people (adults and kids alike) have each other`s back and work together for individual and collective success. CA is a trusted expert. Parents often come to us after years of holding and navigating their child`s educational experience all alone.
We have the training, skills, and desire to help kids be (and feel) successful, and offer families an opportunity to exhale.
Grades Offered
5-12
5-12
Blue Ribbon School
No
No
Offers Post-Graduate Year
No
No
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences including Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, ADD/ADHD, ASD, Nonverbal LD
ADHD, Executive Functioning challenges, anxiety, and mild learning differences
Year Founded
2015
1997
Students Body
Total Students
42 students
146 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
% Students of Color
26%
10%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Grade 3 Students
-
4
Grade 4 Students
-
7
Grade 5 Students
1
9
Grade 6 Students
6
22
Grade 7 Students
9
17
Grade 8 Students
6
20
Grade 9 Students
2
19
Grade 10 Students
8
5
Grade 11 Students
5
18
Grade 12 Students
5
25
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
11 teachers
40 teachers
% Faculty with Advance Degree
43%
80%
Average Class Size
10
8
Number of AP Classes
n/a
3
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
4:1
List of Courses Offered
n/a
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
(We do not have a dress code)
(We do not have a dress code)
Casual
(Regular jeans & Khaki pants, etc.)
(Regular jeans & Khaki pants, etc.)
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
None / Rolling
Tuition Cost
$42,000
$46,350
Tuition Notes
We offer need based financial aid and determine eligibility using a third party system called FAST. We are proud to share that we awarded nearly $100,000 of financial aid for the 2025-26 school year. Please apply early if you are interested in need-based financial aid.
Tuition assistance available
% on Financial Aid
20%
25%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$20,000
n/a
Acceptance Rate
70%
n/a
Admissions Director
Andrea Shore
Geoffrey Stanton
Sports
Total Sports Offered
n/a
5
Extracurriculars
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
7
6
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Anime ClubArt Club
CookingDungeons & Dragons
ForensicsMath
Video Game Club
Club or Organization:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
January TermModel United Nations Club
Senior internships and tripSGA
Yearbook
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Soccer and Basketball
