Special Section
Decisions, Decisions: Your Guide to Independent School Admissions in Baltimore
Choosing the right school for your child can be tough. Hear from parents and admissions experts on how to approach the process with confidence.
By Riley Greenberg — October 2026
When Andrea Vasold and her husband moved to Harford County in 2006, it was with the intention of sending their daughter Ryleigh to one of the area’s high-achieving public schools.
However, as Ryleigh approached school age and Vasold reflected on her own formative education at Baltimore-area private schools, they reconsidered whether public school was the right fit for their family.
“I knew going in that I wanted her to have some kind of foundation from a religious or a belief standpoint, and I also knew that I wanted her to make the sacraments [of the Catholic church],” Vasold said. That’s why they chose St. Margaret’s School, a private Catholic school in Bel Air, for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
When it came time to apply to upper schools, there were a lot more factors to consider: college preparatory resources, athletics, extracurricular options. Is the school co-ed or single gender? How far is the commute for a new driver? The Vasolds did their research, attending open houses and shadow days, and narrowed down their list to four schools.
They found a match in The John Carroll School, a co-educational Catholic high school only a few miles down the road from St. Margaret’s. It was when Ryleigh walked out of her shadow day at John Carroll excited to talk about her experience that Vasold knew it was the right choice. “Ultimately, the priority was her being happy and being able to succeed in a place that she felt welcome,” Vasold says.
GOING INDEPENDENT
According to Rebekah Jackson, the senior director of enrollment management at the all-girls Bryn Mawr School, that perspective is common among parents who opt for the independent school system. “Families, when they’re looking at an independent school, they’re looking to join a community of like-minded parents and teachers and alumni who are invested in the same sort of success and well-being of their children,” says Jackson.
Since independent schools often benefit from having more resources, they are able to provide students with a more personalized educational experience. Through smaller class sizes, faith-based options, and expanded extracurricular opportunities, independent schools offer a kind of individual attention uncommon in the public sector, says Edward Maynard, admissions director at The John Carroll School.
This one-on-one attention opens the door for stronger relationships between students and faculty. At John Carroll, Vasold says her daughter has found mentors in a lot of her teachers, attesting to the supportive environment the school fosters.
Many families also regard private schooling as an investment in the bigger picture for their children. For those that plan on attending college after graduation, Vasold notes, independent schools often have incredibly high success rates for college acceptance across the country, not to mention the grants and scholarships students may receive.
Jackson says it’s important for families to consider when they feel ready to make this investment. While some parents wait until middle school or high school to transition to independent education, others might want their children to build a foundation in pre-k.
QUICK TIPS for SUCCESS
Tap the Grapevine
Talking to families with first-hand experience can be a great help in getting a realistic sense of a school.
“I think a lot of it has to do with word of mouth and sharing stories about how things are academically, or where older siblings have gone, and what kind of journeys they took for their future,” Vasold says.
Jackson agrees, from an admissions standpoint. “We always feel like that first-hand perspective is really valuable.”
If you need an extra hand in the process, consider working with a private educational consultant. Baltimore has a number of experienced professionals whose mission is to guide families through school admissions and identify best fits.
Missy Evans-Moreland of Moreland & Associates Educational Consulting uses her background in college admissions and independent school development to help align families with schools academically, socially, and culturally. “We work directly with those families, asking ‘What are your needs?’ ‘What are you looking for?’”
Keep an Open Mind
Researching and applying to schools can be stressful. Admissions counselors get that. “You’re talking about your child and your money, which are probably the closest things to your heart and most anxiety-inducing,” Jackson acknowledges.
While you and your family do all the hard work of investigating schools, remember to stay flexible. “There is a school for everyone,” Evans-Moreland says. “Be open-minded. Don’t always rely on preconceived notions or reputations.”
“Don’t let distance be a determining factor,” adds Maynard. “Don’t be afraid to take a look around at all the schools and see if there’s a way… there might be a bus that comes right by your house and picks you up.”
Vasold agrees with that sentiment. “I would just say ask questions and don’t rule out anything until you visit it and spend time there. You can hear a lot of stories. Everybody’s stories are different. Everybody’s experiences are different,” she says. “[T]hey offer so many different things and it’s important to be able to explore your options before crossing something off the list.”
Stay on Track
While each school has different requirements, here is a typical timeline for independent school admissions from the National Association of Independent Schools (nais.org). Use it as a checklist, but be sure to find specific dates from each school you’re interested in.
AUGUST
(of the year before desired enrollment date)
• Define your ideal school
• Find schools that match your child’s needs
• Research and ask questions of schools on your preliminary list
SEPTEMBER
• Attend local school fairs to gather material and impressions from multiple schools
• Browse schools’ websites to learn more about their programs and philosophies
• Request admissions and financial aid material by phone or online
• Review admissions materials to determine which schools to visit
• Create a calendar of pertinent admission and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you are considering applying
• Ask elementary schools about their test schedules and make appointments
• Register for any standardized tests required for admission
• Review the test websites to learn about procedures and test dates, see sample questions, and purchase test-preparation books
• Call schools to schedule individual tours, class visits, interviews, and “shadow days”
OCTOBER
• Continue scheduling tours, interviews, class visits, and standardized or school-based tests
• Visit schools during open houses, attend information sessions, and take tours
• Finalize the list of schools to which you will apply
• Take required standardized admission tests
NOVEMBER
• Continue scheduling tours, interviews, class visits, and standardized or school-based tests
• Continue to watch for open houses you may want to attend
• Request teacher recommendations from your child’s current school
• Start working on applications, financial aid forms, student questionnaires, and essays
DECEMBER
• Continue to watch for any open houses or school events of interest
• Request transcripts at the end of your child’s first semester
• Complete applications, questionnaires, and essays
JANUARY
• Pay attention to deadlines: Most applications are due in January or February, along with test scores, references, transcripts, and financial aid forms
FEBRUARY
• Don’t miss deadlines: Most schools’ applications are due in February at the latest
• Visit schools and/or have your child participate in a student shadow day
MARCH
• Watch for school decisions starting in mid-March
• Watch for financial aid decisions
• If your student is accepted by multiple schools, decide which school your child will attend
APRIL
• Sign and return enrollment contracts and send deposits
• May to September
• Attend events and activities for new parents and students
DO YOUR RESEARCH
No matter how far in your child’s trajectory you decide to go independent, it always helps to be prepared. For children going into pre-k or lower schools, the formal research process typically begins the year before the date of desired enrollment. When it comes to upper schools, Patricia Hill, admissions director at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, recommends starting earlier.
“Sometimes when you wait, you’re trying to rush and look at all those schools in one year,” Hill says. “I would say attend open houses as early as sixth grade.”
Most independent schools hold open houses in the fall (see our guide on the following pages), giving families an opportunity to tour the facilities, meet faculty, and ask questions. Then, your child can schedule shadow days to get an authentic feel of the schools they’re most interested in; here, they will experience a typical day in the life as a student.
At The John Carroll School, parents are invited to participate in shadow days with an informational session, coffee, and a tour of the school, Maynard says. Prospective students also have the option to be paired with a host based on their interests or request a host they already know–a family friend, a sibling– which can make the big day a lot less nerve-wracking.
Once the school day kicks off, prospective students “get a true feel of what it’s like,” Maynard says. “They get to meet that host’s friends. They get to meet their teachers. They get to be a part of the community for that day. They eat lunch with everybody, and then they come back to us at the end of the school day, and we wrap everything up and talk about next steps.”
Jackson suggests planning these school visits sooner rather than later. Once winter hits, snow days can throw unexpected wrenches in your school admission plans. In addition, she urges families to get creative in researching schools.
“I would encourage both formal and informal ways to check out a school, whether that’s going to a sports game or a production on campus,” Jackson says. “Just outside of the traditional admissions opportunities, get your own sense of the community.”
And while you familiarize yourself with each school, make sure to stay diligent with application requirements, testing, and deadlines, which often vary school to school (see our typical timeline and checklist below).
For example, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School has strict criteria for prospective students to qualify–like income caps and the ability to work in the United States–since they cater to families who might not typically be able to afford a private school education, says Hill.
If given the opportunity to meet directly with an admission professional, says Ruthie Sachs Kalvar, director of admission at The Park School of Baltimore, “families can use that time to ask about a school’s philosophy, curriculum, community life, classroom dynamics, and approach to teaching and learning. As you prepare those questions, think about the overall experience you seek for your child based on their temperament, learning style, interests, strengths, and areas for growth.”
MATTERS to WEIGH
Cost
Academic rigor
Location and transportation
Diversity
Community service
Extracurricular opportunities
Global education
Support for learning differences
PAUSE AND REFLECT
With so many options available in the Baltimore area, it can be difficult to narrow down the ideal match for your child. Each school is unique–just like each child. Take some time to identify your family’s priorities and non-negotiables to make the process a bit less overwhelming.
Consider diversity; is a co-educational learning environment important to you, or do you want to explore single-gender schools? At Bryn Mawr, Jackson says, the all-girls foundation promotes a culture where girls are supported and uplifted.
“Every leadership role, every center forward position, every seat in the robotics lab is held by a girl, and that creates an environment that’s free from any gender stereotypes, and girls are encouraged and able to lead without hesitation,” Jackson says.
Along with this foundation, Bryn Mawr participates in a tri-school coordinate system with Gilman School (all-boys) and Roland Park Country School (all-girls), where upper school students are able to take classes at all three campuses. Jackson describes it as “the best of both worlds.”
And it’s not all about academics–Maynard suggests looking at each school holistically. If your child is interested in a particular sport, activity, or club, see if they will be able to nurture those passions.
“Are they interested in the arts? Maybe the school has a dance program that they want to be a part of. Maybe they are really interested in drawing or painting,” Maynard says. “Just take the time to learn more about each individual aspect of the school and how it pertains to your child.”
“Ultimately, the best fit is one where children are inspired to become thoughtful, engaged learners who are prepared not only for academic success but also to make meaningful contributions to the world around them,” says Kalvar.
On a practical note, parents should always think about location and how a school might fit into their family’s everyday routine. Many schools have systems in place for transportation, and some even offer boarding options.
Above all, Jackson says, “be authentic in the process. Be really clear about who your child is, what their strengths are, but also what their areas of growth are, and how the school might serve that.”
School Open House Guide 2026
Looking for the best school for your student? Begin with a visit to one of the area’s many campuses for an pen house. Here is our guide to help you navigate this process. Always double check with the school by phone or via their website to confirm dates and times, pre-register for events, and to inquire about visiting opportunities beyond the open house.
Archbishop Curley High School
10/24, 10/25, 10 a.m.-noon
3700 Sinclair Ln., Baltimore
410-485-5000
archbishopcurley.org
Grades 9-12, all male
Catholic
Archbishop Spalding High School
Please contact the admissions office for information about campus tours: [email protected]
8080 New Cut Rd., Severn
410-969-9105
archbishopspalding.org
Grades 9-12, coed
Catholic
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Visit the website for information on schools and events.
Multiple locations
410-547-5515
archbalt.org/schools
Pre-K-12
Catholic
Baltimore Lab School
10/15, 9-11 a.m.
2220 St. Paul St.
410-261-5500
baltimorelabschool.org
Grades: 1-12, coed
Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School
Visit the website to schedule a small group tour.
3300 Old Court Rd., Baltimore.
410-413-2323
bethfiloh.com/admissions/visit
Grades Preschool 2s-12.
Jewish
The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland
9/27 10 a.m.
822 West Lake Ave., Baltimore
410-377-5192
boyslatinmd.com
K-12, All-boys
The Bryn Mawr School
10/24, 9:00-10:15 a.m. (pre-k-grade 5);
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (grades 6-12)
109 West Melrose Ave., Baltimore
410-323-8800,
Brynmawrschool.org/admission/visit-bryn-mawr
Grades pre-K-12, all-girls (coed preschool)
Calvert School
9/29, 10/16, 11/5, 11/18, 9:30-10:30 a.m., 11/10, 9-10 a.m.
105 Tuscany Rd.,Baltimore.
410-243-6054
calvertschoolmd.org/discover
Grades K-8 and early childhood education center, coed
Calvert Hall College High School
11/7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
8102 LaSalle Rd., Towson.
410-825-4266
calverthall.com/admissions/welcome-to-the-hall
Grades 9-12, all-boys
Catholic
The Catholic High School of Baltimore
10/24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
2800 Edison Highway, Baltimore
410-732-6200
thecatholichighschool.org
Grades 9-12, all-girls
Catholic
Concordia Preparatory School
10/24, 9 a.m.-noon.
1145 Concordia Dr., Towson
410-825-2323
concordiaprepschool.org
Grades 6-12, coed.
Lutheran
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
11/8, noon-3 p.m.
420 S. Chester St., Baltimore.
410-727-3255,
cristoreybalt.org
Grades 9-12, coed.
Catholic
Friends School of Baltimore
10/14, 10-11:30 a.m., 11/14 9-10 a.m., 12/19 10-11:30 a.m.
5114 N. Charles St., Baltimore
410-649-3200
friendsbalt.org
Grades pre-K-12, coed.
Quaker
Garrison Forest School
10/16, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills.
410-363-1500
gfs.org/visit
Grades K-12, all-girls (coed preschool, boarding option grades 8-12)
Gerstell Academy
10/24 10 a.m.-noon, 11/18 9-11 a.m., 1/19 4-6 p.m.
2500 Old Westminster. Pike, Finksburg
410-861-4400
gerstell.org
Grades pre-K-12, coed
Gilman School
10/24 9:30-11:30 a.m., 10/14, 11/4, and 12/9 from 9:30 -11 a.m.
5407 Roland Ave., Baltimore
410-323-3800
gilman.edu/admissions
Grades pre-K-12, all-boys
The GreenMount School
10/18, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
501 W 30th St., Baltimore
410-235-6295
greenmountschool.org
Grades K-8, coed
Harford Day School
Multiple visit options available please visit the website for schedule information.
715 Moores Mill Rd.,
Bel Air. 410-838-4848
harfordday.org
Grades pre-K3-8, coed
Immaculate Conception School
10/1 9:30-11:30 a.m., 10/14 6-8 p.m.
112 Ware Ave., Towson.
410-427-4903
theics.org
Grades pre-K3-8, coed.
Catholic
Immaculate Heart of Mary School
10/14 3:30-5:30 p.m., 1/31 1-3 p.m.
8501 Loch Raven Blvd,, Towson
410-668-8466
ihmschoolmd.org
Grades: Preschool-8, coed
Catholic
Jemicy School
Grades 8-11: 10/29, 11,17, 1/14, 4/20 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Grades 1-7: 10/21, 11/12, 12/8, 1/20, 4/14, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Lower & Middle School Campus: 11 Celadon Rd., Owings Mills
Upper School Campus: 11202 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills
410-653-2700
jemicyschool.org
Grades 1-12, coed
Loyola Blakefield
10/17, 10 a.m.
500 Chestnut Ave., Baltimore
443-841-3680
Loyolablakefield.org
Grades 6-12, all-boys.
Catholic
Maryvale Preparatory School
Upper School: 10/20 9-10:30 a.m.;
Middle School: 10/22 9-10:30 a.m.
11300 Falls Rd., Lutherville
410-308-8531
maryvale.com
Grades 6-12, all-girls.
Catholic
McDonogh School
There are multiple open houses and visitation opportunities. Please visit the website for more details.
8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills
410-363-0600
mcdonogh.org
Grades PK-12, coed (five-day boarding option)
Mercy High School
10/17 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
1300 East Northern Pkwy., Baltimore.
410-433-8880
mercyhighschool.com
Grades 9-12, all-girls.
Catholic
Notre Dame Preparatory School
10/17 8-11 a.m. 815 Hampton Ln., Towson
410-825-6202
notredameprep.com
Grades 6-12, all-girls. Catholic
The Odyssey School
1/21/27 5:45-8 p.m. (Snow date: 1/28/27)
3257 Bridle Ridge Ln., Lutherville
410-580-5551
theodysseyschool.org
Grades K-8, coed
Oldfields School
Visit scheduling is available online at the website.
1500 Glencoe Rd., Sparks Glencoe
410-472-4800
oldfieldsschool.org
Grades 8-12, all-girls
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
There are multiple open house and visitation opportunities please visit the website for more details.
4801 Ilchester Rd., Ellicott City
410-744-4251
olphschool.org
Pre-K-8, coed
Catholic
The Park School of Baltimore
10/24, 10–11:30 a.m. (lower school), 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (middle and upper school).
2425 Old Court Rd., Baltimore
410-339-7070
parkschool.net
Pre-k-12, gender inclusive
The Peabody Preparatory of The Johns Hopkins University
There are multiple open house and visitation opportunities please visit the website for more details.
21 East Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore.
667-208-6640
peabody.jhu.edu/preparatory
K-12 & Adult, coed
Resurrection-St. Paul School
9/21, 10/15, 11/3
Please visit the website for schedule information.
3155 Paulskirk Dr., Ellicott City
410-461-9111
resstpaul.org
Pre-K3-8, coed
Catholic
Roland Park Country School
10/3, 10 a.m.-noon.
5204 Roland Ave., Baltimore
410-323-5500
rpcs.org/visit
K-12, all-girls
St. Augustine Catholic School
11/11 10-11:30 a.m., 12/6 10 a.m. -noon
Please visit the website for schedule information.
5990 Old Washington Rd., Elkridge.
410-796-3040
staug-md.org
Pre-K3-8, coed
Catholic
St. James Academy
10/15, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
3100 Monkton Rd., Monkton
410-771-4816
saintjamesacademy.org
Preschool-8, coed
Episcopal
Saint John’s Catholic Prep
Please visit the website for schedule information.
3989 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown.
301-662-4210
saintjohnsprep.org
Grades 9-12, coed
Catholic
St. Joseph School Cockeysville
There are multiple open house and visitation opportunities please visit the website for more details.
105 Church Ln., Cockeysville.
410-683-0600
sjpray.org
Grades Pre-K through grade 8; coed.
Catholic
St. Joseph School-Fullerton
9/26, 9a.m.-noon.
8416 Belair Rd., Baltimore
410-256-8026
stjoeschool.org/admissions/open-house
Grades Pre-K4-8th, coed
Catholic
St. Margaret School
10/20 and 10/21. Elementary Campus:
205 Hickory Ave., Bel Air.
Middle School Campus:
1716 Churchville Rd., Bel Air
410-879-1113
smsch.org
Grades PreK-3-8
Catholic
St. Mark School
10/27 9-11 a.m. 26 Melvin Ave.,
Catonsville
443-860-0926
stmark-school.org
Grades pre-K3-8, coed
Catholic
St. Mary’s Parish & School
Lower School: 10/23 9 a.m.;
Upper School: 10/24 9 a.m.
109 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis.
410-990-4100
stmarysannapolis.org
Grades Pre-K-12, coed
Catholic
The St. Paul’s Schools
Lower School: 10/8, 9-11 a.m.;
Boys’ Middle School: 10/23, 8:45-10:45 a.m.;
Girls’ Middle School: 10/27, 8:30-10:30 a.m.;
Boys’ Upper School: 10/21, 8:45-10:45 a.m.;
Girls’ Upper School: 10/20, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Visit the website for additional dates and information.
11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville
410-825-4400
stpaulsmd.org/visit
Six weeks-grade 4: coed
Grades 5-12: single-gender
Episcopal
St. Stephen School
Please visit the website for schedule information.
8028 Bradshaw Rd., Kingsville
410-592-7617
SSSchool.org
Grades Pre-K 3-8, coed.
Catholic
St. Ursula School
Please visit the website for schedule information.
8900 Harford Rd. Baltimore
410-665-3533
stursula.org
Grades PK4-8, coed
Catholic
The School of the Cathedral of Mary our Queen
Please visit the website for schedule information.
111 Amberly Way, Baltimore
410-464-4117
schoolofthecathedral.org
Grade preK4-8, coed
Catholic
