City: Middleburg, VA

Category: Education

Telephone: (540) 687-5555, (800) 858-2364

Address: 22407 Foxhound Lane

Description: Founded in 1914, this small, residential prep school strives to foster self-esteem and strong moral character in ninth- through twelfth-grade girls. Around 190 students attend Foxcroft, nationally recognized for its academic and athletic programs. About half the senior class receives merit scholarships. The student/faculty ratio is 7 to 1 and the average class numbers 10 students. Educational highlights include an interim term, featuring nontraditional course offerings, guest lecturers, and field trips; three-week, career-oriented senior projects; a fellowship program that brings to the school such notable visitors as Maya Angelou and Richard Leakey; an ESL program for international students; and an annual poetry festival. The beautiful 500-acre campus is slightly more than an hour away from Washington, in the heart of Virginia’s Hunt Country; consequently, riding is a popular extracurricular activity here.