St. Albans School

“Pro Ecclesia et Pro Patria”

At a Glance

St. Albans School is an all-boys Episcopal day and boarding school serving grades 4-12, situated on the Mount St. Alban grounds alongside Washington National Cathedral in Ward 3. Founded in 1909, the school combines a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with chapel life, athletics under the Bulldogs mascot, arts programming, and community service as core elements of its educational mission. St. Albans operates as a coordinate school with National Cathedral School (NCS), meaning upper school students take co-educational classes together while maintaining separate single-sex environments for other aspects of school life.

The school accommodates both day students throughout grades 4-12 and boarding students beginning in grade 9, making it one of the relatively few boarding options within the District of Columbia. As a parochial independent school, St. Albans operates outside the DC public school system with its own admission process and tuition structure.

What Parents Should Know

St. Albans uses a traditional independent school application process rather than the My School DC lottery system. Families interested in enrollment should expect to complete an application that typically includes transcripts, recommendations, student interviews, and standardized testing, with specific requirements and deadlines available through the school's admissions office. Because it's a selective independent school, the admissions timeline generally runs nearly a year ahead of the intended start date.

The grade 4 entry point represents the lower school beginning, while grade 9 marks both the start of upper school and the introduction of boarding as an option. These transition years typically see larger incoming classes, though the school does accept students at other grade levels when space permits. Parents should be aware that the coordinate relationship with National Cathedral School means upper school boys will attend co-educational academic classes while other school activities remain single-sex.

The school's Episcopal identity shapes daily life through regular chapel services and religious programming, though families of various faith backgrounds attend St. Albans. Parents should understand that chapel attendance is part of the school culture and schedule. The location on the Cathedral Close in upper Northwest DC offers extensive campus grounds but may require consideration of commute times from other parts of the city.

As a boarding school option for high schoolers, St. Albans provides a residential experience unusual among DC schools. Families considering the boarding program should inquire about residential life structure, weekend programming, and how boarding and day students integrate throughout the school community.

Programs and Approach

St. Albans follows a college-preparatory model designed to prepare students for selective colleges and universities. The academic program emphasizes traditional liberal arts disciplines, and the coordinate structure with National Cathedral School allows the upper school to offer expanded course options through shared teaching resources while maintaining the single-sex educational environment each school provides.

Athletics form a significant component of school life, with teams competing as the Bulldogs. The extensive Cathedral Close campus provides space for various athletic facilities. Arts and community service round out the program, reflecting the school's commitment to developing well-rounded students grounded in Episcopal values of scholarship, service, and spiritual growth.

The boarding program serves grades 9-12, creating a residential community within the larger school population. This structure allows families both local to DC and from other regions to access St. Albans' educational program. Parents interested in either day or boarding enrollment should contact the admissions office directly, as the application process, financial aid availability, and specific program details are managed independently from DC public school systems.

Visiting and Contact

St. Albans School is located at Mount St. Alban in upper Northwest Washington DC, on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral in Ward 3. Families can reach the school at (202) 537-6435 or visit https://www.stalbansschool.org for information about tours, admission events, and current program details.