The Field School

“School should be joyous”

The Field School

At a Glance

The Field School is an independent private school serving students in grades 6 through 12 in Northwest Washington, DC. Located on Foxhall Road in Ward 3, the school provides both middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) education under one roof, allowing students to progress through adolescence and into young adulthood within a single school community.

The school describes itself as a place where purposeful learning meets a student-centered approach, with an emphasis on fostering curiosity and academic engagement. For DC families exploring independent school options for the middle and high school years, The Field School represents a smaller-scale alternative to some of the city's larger private institutions.

What Parents Should Know

The Field School's grade configuration—spanning grades 6 through 12—means families can potentially stay with one school community from early middle school through graduation. Students who enter in sixth grade can remain through high school without navigating another admissions process or school transition, which some families value for continuity and community building. That said, the school also accepts students at various entry points, with ninth grade typically being another common entry year at most independent schools.

As a private independent school, The Field School requires a separate application process outside the My School DC lottery system used for DC public and public charter schools. Families interested in admission should expect to navigate a private school application timeline, which typically includes inquiries, campus visits, applications, and interviews well in advance of the desired enrollment year. Application deadlines, tuition information, and financial aid availability would be found directly through the school.

The Foxhall Road location in upper Northwest DC means the school sits in a residential area that's less accessible by Metro than some DC schools. Families should consider transportation logistics—whether that means driving, carpooling, or school-provided transportation options—as part of their decision-making process.

Because the school serves both middle and high school students in one building, younger students learn alongside older peers. Some families appreciate the mentorship opportunities and maturity this can foster; others prefer separate campuses for different age groups. Understanding how the school structures its day, social opportunities, and programming for different age groups would be an important question during any visit.

Programs and Approach

Independent schools in DC vary widely in their educational philosophies, size, and structure. The Field School emphasizes a student-centered approach and describes its learning environment as both joyous and purposeful—language that suggests an emphasis on engagement and individual attention rather than a highly traditional or test-focused model.

As with most private schools, families considering The Field School would want to explore what "student-centered" means in practice: class sizes, teaching methods, advising structures, and how students' individual needs and interests are supported. The school's description of its faculty as passionate points to teacher engagement as a priority in the school culture.

Families exploring The Field School should inquire about the college counseling process for high school students, extracurricular and athletic offerings, and how the school supports students academically and socially throughout the middle and high school years. Independent schools typically offer detailed information during tours and through their admissions offices about curriculum, school culture, and outcomes.

Visiting and Contact

The Field School is located at 2301 Foxhall Road NW in Washington, DC, in the upper Northwest section of the city. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling a tour, or beginning the admissions process should visit https://www.fieldschool.org or call (202) 295-5800 for current information.