School Selection Season

Megan McGaha — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 21:51:26 +0000

Mike Boyle’s three children each attend different independent schools: Kinley, 16, is a junior at The John Carroll School in Bel Air; Mikey, 14, is a freshman at Loyola Blakefield in Towson; and Delaney, 11, is a sixth grader at Harford Day School in Bel Air.

While keeping track of their extracurricular activities can be a logistical challenge—especially factoring in the hour-long drive from their home in Bel Air to Towson—Boyle says it’s worth it for each child to be in an educational environment where they thrive.

“The school has got to work for the kid,” says Boyle, who is an alumnus of John Carroll.

Like many Baltimore-area families, school pride runs deep for the Boyles. “I have probably 50 relatives who went to John Carroll, so every time we get together it’s like a reunion,” he says.

But despite the family legacy, Boyle and the children’s mother gave their kids the opportunity to help choose the school that was the best fit for their academic, athletic, and extracurricular needs.

“I had to check those emotions a bit and let Mikey make the decision,” he says of his son’s choice to attend Loyola Blakefield.

“While facilities and location vary, we knew they all had rigorous college prep programs and that at any one of these schools, if you put your effort in, you can be well-positioned for the next step,” he adds. “At that point it came down to feel: What did the kids think was right for them?”

With 28 independent schools in the Greater Baltimore area and more than 100 across the Maryland and Washington, D.C., region, there are an overwhelming number to choose from. That’s why admissions experts say it’s so important to start the school search process early.

Families should begin the process by creating a list of what is most important to them, recommends Kim Slade, director of enrollment management and outreach at Severn School, an independent school enrolling students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade at its lower school in Arnold and sixth through 12th grade at its upper school in Severna Park.

“That could be anything from college placement, to specific sports, or how far they are willing to commute,” she says. “Doing that homework ahead of time enables families to narrow down their list of schools they consider to those that are most appropriate.”

For the high school or middle school level, Slade suggests having the child make their own list of important factors.

“Then, as a family, they can have a conversation so that everybody is on the same page about what’s important, as well as an understanding about who is ultimately making the decision,” she says. “Are parents making that decision, or are they narrowing down a list from which the student can choose any of the schools? The time to know that is before decisions must be made, so that everybody is clear from the get-go.”

One thing that makes independent schools unique from public schools is that each has its own unique mission statement and the freedom to offer a broader curriculum that comes with not being tied to state mandates and budgets.

“Every independent school has a mission statement, and they value different things within that mission,” Slade says. “Evaluating if that mission aligns with your values as a family is a really helpful and important place to start.”

The fall of the year before you want your child to attend, get to know the schools on your list through events like the open house, shadow day, school tours, and interviews. Once you have the application materials, make a calendar of important deadlines and materials you need to gather, including those for financial aid, standardized testing, transcripts, teacher recommendations, interviews, and more.

Most application deadlines are in December and January, but due to the combination of winter break, the busy holiday season, and unpredictable winter weather, Slade recommends families aim to submit their applications before the holidays.

“Families can’t control when a school releases their child’s transcript or when teachers fill out recommendations, so the earlier they ask for these things the better,” she says. “The onus should not be put on a teacher or a child’s school to meet deadlines at the last minute.”

The open house is one of the best opportunities to get to know a school quickly. (See the open house guide in the following pages.) Held annually in the fall, these events make it easy for families to tour facilities and meet key contacts like administrators, faculty, and coaches, and ask questions of current families and alumni.

Even if families feel they already know a school well, it’s still a good idea to come out to official admissions events like the open house.

At that point it came down to feel: What did the kids think was right for them?

“It shows your interest,” says Diane Russell, director of enrollment management at Harford Day School, an independent school for children age 3 through eighth grade in Bel Air. “As many touchpoints as possible are helpful to see how committed a family is to the process.”

Russell recommends arriving with specific questions in mind, especially in terms of your child’s needs.

“If your child has a particular interest or gift in a certain area, or if they struggle in a certain area, this is an opportunity to find out how a school responds—each school may have a different approach,” she says.

Since COVID-19, Russell notes that some schools, including Harford Day, continue to offer virtual visits or information sessions in addition to in-person events, making it more convenient for families to get an early sense of the school before coming out in person. It’s also a good option for families who are looking at schools outside of their area or for those who want a low-key way to start the process a year early.

While the open house is a one-stop shop to get to know the best a school has to offer, it’s an admissions-focused event and not a typical representation of the day-to-day school culture. To get that insight, Russell recommends families connect with current community members and attend events on campus that are open to the public, like sporting events or theatrical productions. “These kinds of opportunities can be really instructive in addition to all the typical events,” she says.

Another change since the pandemic? Independent school admission has gotten more competitive in some areas, Russell says, due to the larger-than-normal influx of families who moved their children from public schools to independent schools, which were largely able to continue some form of in-person learning while public schools were closed. “Many of us are fuller than we were before the pandemic,” she says.

While the competition shouldn’t deter families, it’s even more reason to make your interest in a school known by attending events and communicating frequently with admissions staff.

Families should also be careful to check the availability of tour and shadow days since many schools have narrowed the availability since the pandemic. “It takes a bit more diligence and pre-planning on the part of families to know the options, so you don’t miss an opportunity,” says Slade at Severn.

Shadow days, when prospective students attend a full or partial school day with a current student, offer an opportunity to get to know the school’s culture from the inside. (See the sidebar for more on making the most out of the shadow day.)

While it can be nerve-wracking for a student to shadow an unfamiliar school with an unfamiliar student, Slade implores parents to trust the process.

A common mistake, she says, is requesting that friends shadow together or with a current student they already know, such as a neighbor or older sibling. Because it can distract prospective students from forming their own impressions of the school, it’s a practice that Severn strongly discourages. “We want them to see Severn through their own eyes,” Slade explains.

She also recommends families think of the application process as developing a relationship with the school. “That relationship should be built on trust and transparency,” she adds, and families shouldn’t try to gloss over any details that they think could hurt their acceptance.

By being honest about a child’s talents, interests, and needs up front, schools can best assess if they can meet those needs and families will end up at the school that is the best match. “There’s a right school for every child, but not every child is right for every school,” she explains.

Typically, schools begin to share their admissions decisions in mid-March and enrollment contracts and deposits are due by April.

Wait-listed for the top choice? If so, Slade recommends parents stay in communication with the school about the desire to stay on the waitlist or the decision to accept an offer at another school.

Severn, for one, uses the term “wait pool” since the students are not ranked by priority but rather create a group from which staff can pull to round out the incoming class when space comes available.

“Check in periodically,” Slade says. “Schools are not bothered by it. Admissions officers are trying to manage not just the yield of new families but also returning families, and things happen over the course of spring and summer—families are transferred, families move out of state—so we as a school are just as eager to know who is realistically still in our wait pool as the families are to know whether a space is available.”

The best part about the process? Getting to enrollment. While the process can be stressful, it’s designed to help students end up at the perfect school for their needs. At independent schools, enrolling in the school is the beginning of a lifelong relationship.

“You can really become part of a community that isn’t just about school itself but something larger that becomes a part of your children’s lives,” says Russell at Harford Day. “We have our alumni come back after graduation to visit us and many of them, when they get married, it’s their Harford Day friends that are in their wedding party. So it’s a long-term relationship.”

DAY IN THE LIFE

CROFTEN RESIDENT MACKENZIE GETZ, a sophomore at the Severn School, had such a great experience during her own shadow day at the Severna Park school that she signed up to host other potential students as soon as she enrolled.

Getz is a member of the sailing, swimming, and archery teams at Severn, as well as the archery and Red Cross clubs. In her first year, she was matched as a host with four prospective students looking to enter Severn for ninth or 10th grades.

“If I can share my experience in my first year with these other kids who are having their first experience at the school, I think I can connect to them at a better level,” she says. “I know what it’s like to transfer in.”

Here, Severn School sophomore MacKenzie Getz shares her shadow day tips:

HOW ARE SHADOW STUDENTS MATCHED WITH HOSTS?
The prospective students share their interests and they match me with students based on those interests. One of them was a sailor, I was a sailor, and one was a swimmer, I was a swimmer. It adds more of a personal connection between the host and the shadow. The students can learn more about their interests at the school, and you have something more to talk about.

WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS EXPECT FOR THE SHADOW DAY?
My job as a hostess is to show them what a normal day is like. They get to sit in on all my classes and get to know their way around the school, so that next year if they enroll they already know the environment. If they play a sport, I show them the fields on a free period and introduce them to coaches or teachers.

HOW CAN STUDENTS MAKE THE MOST OF THE EXPERIENCE?
Ask a lot of questions and just be yourself. I wish more students would ask me, especially if they play a sport, what the schedule is like. I also wish they would ask more about what the clubs are like and how they work. A lot of students don’t ask about that, and we have so many clubs to offer at Severn. And if you go to the school the next year and you see your host on campus, go say hi.

READY, SET, ENROLL

A timeline of the independent school application process

The path to finding your child’s perfect school is a long one. Follow this monthly checklist provided by the National Association of Independent Schools to make sure you hit the important milestones. Don’t forget to start the year before you want your child to attend. Visit parents.NAIS.org for more helpful tools.

AUGUST
▶ Define your ideal school
▶ Create a list of schools that match your child’s needs
▶ Research and ask questions of schools on your preliminary list

SEPTEMBER
▶ Attend school fairs to gather materials and get first impressions
▶ Browse schools’ websites to learn more about their programs and philosophies
▶ Request admissions and financial aid materials
▶ Create a calendar of deadlines for the schools on your list
▶ Register for any standardized tests required for admission
▶ Schedule individual school tours, class visits, and interviews

OCTOBER
▶ 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
▶ Request teacher recommendations from your child’s current school
▶ Start working on applications, financial aid forms, student questionnaires, and essays

DECEMBER
▶ Request transcripts at the end of your child’s first semester
▶ Complete applications, questionnaires, and essays

JANUARY
▶ Most applications are due in January or February, along with tests scores, references, transcripts, and financial aid forms

FEBRUARY
▶ Turn in any final applications before the deadlines
▶ Visit schools and have your child participate in a student shadow day

MARCH
▶ Watch for school and financial aid decisions starting in mid-March
▶ 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–SEPTEMBER
▶ Attend events and activities for new parents and students

SAVE THE DATE

BELOW IS A LIST OF OPEN HOUSES at schools in the Greater Baltimore region. The time of the open houses, when available at press time, is printed directly after the name of each school. Dates and times are always subject to change, and many schools prefer that prospective families visit their websites for information on virtual and in-person tours, open house dates, shadow options, and more. Always visit the website of the school or call for the most up-to-date information.

ARCHBISHOP CURLEY HIGH SCHOOL
10/29, 10/30, 10 a.m.-noon
3701 Sinclair Ln.
410-485-5000, archbishopcurley.org
Grades: 9-12, all male
Affiliation: Catholic/Franciscan

ARCHBISHOP SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL
Contact the admissions office to schedule tours.
8080 New Cut Rd., Severn
410-969-9105, archbishopspalding.org
Grades: 9-12, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL
Visit the website for more information.
2220 St. Paul St.
410-261-5500, baltimorelabschool.org
Grades: 1-12, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

BETH EL @ FEDERAL HILL
Call for tour information.
1530 Battery Ave.
410-528-6001, bethelbalto.com
Grades: 2-5 years, coed
Affiliation: Jewish

BETH TFILOH DAHAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Upper: 10/27, 11/15, 11/30, 9 a.m.; Middle: 11/10, 12/7 9 a.m.; Lower: 10/20, 11/8, 9 a.m.;
Register online: bethtfiloh.com/bmag
3300 Old Court Rd., Pikesville
410-486-1905, bethtfiloh.com
Grades: 15 months-grade 12, coed
Affiliation: Jewish

THE BOYS’ LATIN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND
10/16, 10 a.m.
822 W. Lake Ave.
410-377-5192, boyslatinmd.com
Grades: K-12, all-male
Affiliation: Non-denominational

THE BRYN MAWR SCHOOL
Upper School: 11/5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
109 W. Melrose Ave.
410-323-8800, brynmawrschool.org
Grades: K-12, all-female; The Little School, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

CALVERT HALL COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
11/13 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (registration required)
8102 La Salle Rd.
410-825-4266, calverthall.com
Grades: 9-12, all-male
Affiliation: Catholic and LaSallian

CALVERT SCHOOL
10/4, 10/19, 11/3, 11/16, 12/7, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
105 Tuscany Rd.,
410-243-6054, calvertschoolmd.org
Grades: K-8, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL
8/30 10-11 a.m. New Student and Family Orientation
6200 N. Charles St.
410-486-3686, cambridgeschool.org
Grades: K-8, coed
Affiliation: Christian

THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
10/22, 12-3 p.m.
2800 Edison Hwy.
410-732-6200, thecatholichighschool.org
Grades: 9-12, all-female
Affiliation: Catholic

COLUMBIA ACADEMY
Visit the website for more information.
10350 Old Columbia Rd., Columbia (multiple locations)
410-312-7413, columbiaacademy.com
Grades: Junior K-8, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

CONCORDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL
10/29, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
1145 Concordia Dr., Towson
410-825-2323, concordiaprepschool.org
Grades: 6-12, coed
Affiliation: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

EASTERN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Visit the website for more information.
1100 Mace Ave., Essex
443-809-0190, easterntechhs.bcps.org
Grades: 9-12, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational, public

FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY
Admissions Fair 11/19 and 12/10 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (pre-registration required)
4744 James Madison Hwy., Fork Union, Virginia
Main: 434-842-3212,
Admissions: 434-842-4205, forkunion.com
Grades: 7-12 and post-grad program, boarding, all male
Affiliation: Christian

FRIENDS SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
Middle and Upper: 10/20 9 a.m.;
Pre-Primary and Lower: 11/8 9 a.m.;
All grades: 11/15, 4:30 p.m. and 12/8 at 9 a.m.
Pre-register at friendsbalt.org/admissions
5114 N. Charles St.
410-649-3200, friendsbalt.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed
Affiliation: Quaker

GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL
Tours for prospective students and families held Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills
410-363-1500, gfs.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, all-female except coed preschool, boarding and day grades 8-12
Affiliation: Non-denominational

GERSTELL ACADEMY
10/22, 10 a.m.
2500 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg.
410-861-3000, gerstell.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

GILMAN SCHOOL
Visit the website for information.
5407 Roland Ave.
410-323-3800, gilman.edu
Grades: K-12, all male
Affiliation: Non-denominational

GLENELG COUNTRY SCHOOL
10/21, 11/8, 12/7, 1/5, 2/22, 3/30, 9 a.m.
12793 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City
410-531-8600, glenelg.org
Grades: Age 2-grade 12, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

GREENSPRING MONTESSORI SCHOOL
On-campus information sessions: 10/6, 11/3, 12/1, 1/12, 2/2, 3/2, 4/6, 5/4, 9-11 a.m.
10807 Tony Dr., Lutherville/Timonium
410-321-8555, greenspringmontessori.org
Grades: 18 months-grade 8, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

HARFORD DAY SCHOOL
Middle School Visit Day: 11/8
Fall Admissions Open House: 11/13, Noon-2 p.m.
715 Moores Mill Rd., Bel Air
410-838-4848, harfordday.org
Grades: Age 3-grade 8
Affiliation: Non-denominational

HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY
12/10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
200 Military Dr., Chatham, Virginia.
1-434-432-2481, hargrave.edu
Grades: 7-12, plus post-graduate for boys
Affiliation: Baptist

THE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL
Call to schedule tour.
2409 Creswell Rd., Bel Air
410-836-1415, highlandsschool.net
Grades: K-12, coed. Rolling admissions
Affiliation: Non-denominational

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL
Pre-K to Grade 8: 11/4, 9:30 a.m.;
Middle school: 10/7, 6 p.m.
112 Ware Ave., Towson
410-427-4801, theimmaculate.org
Grades: Pre-K (age 3) through Grade 8, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

JEMICY SCHOOL
Contact the Admission Office to schedule a meeting.
Upper school: 11202 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills.
Lower and Middle School: 11 Celadon Rd., Owings Mills
410-653-2700, jemicyschool.org
Grades: 1-12, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL
Open House: 11/5
Discovering John Carroll: 9/27, 10/12, 11/15, 12/7, 4:30-6 p.m.
703 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air
410-838-8333, johncarroll.org
Grades: 9-12, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

KRIEGER SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
Schedule a personal tour with the Director of Admissions.
8100 Stevenson Rd.
410-486-8640, ksds.edu
Grades: K-8, coed
Affiliation: Jewish

LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD
10/23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
500 Chestnut Ave., Towson
410-823-0601, loyolablakefield.org
Grades: 6-12, all-male
Affiliation: Jesuit Catholic

MARYVALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Upper: 10/21 and 11/8, 9-10:30 a.m.;
Middle: 10/28 and 11/15, 9-10:30 a.m.
11300 Falls Rd., Lutherville
410-252-3366, maryvale.com
Grades: 6-12, all female
Affiliation: Catholic

McDONOGH SCHOOL
Lower: Tours every Wednesday 9/14 to 11/16
Middle: Tours every Tuesday 9/13-11/29
Upper: Tours every Thursday 9/15-11/30
8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills,
410-363-0600, mcdonogh.org/admissions/ways-to-visit
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed, day and 5-day boarding
Affiliation: Non-denominational

MERCERSBURG ACADEMY
10/10 100 Academy Dr., Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
Admissions: 717-328-6173, Main: 717-328-2151, mercersburg.edu
Grades: 9-12, plus post-grad year, boarding and day, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
10/22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
1300 E. Northern Pkwy.
410-433-8880, mercyhighschool.com
Grades: 9-12, all female
Affiliation: Catholic

MOTHER SETON ACADEMY
Visit the website for more information.
2215 Greenmount Ave.
410-563-2833, mothersetonacademy.org
Grades: 6-8, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY
Visit the website for more information.
700 Academy Rd., Catonsville
410-744-8498, mountdesalesacademy.org
Grades: 9-12, all female
Affiliation: Catholic

MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
11/6, 11 a.m.
4403 Frederick Ave.
410-644-3300, msjnet.edu
Grades: 9-12, all male
Affiliation: Catholic

NATURE PRESCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
(Formerly Hunt Valley Country Day School)
Call to schedule meeting.
200A Lakefront Dr., Hunt Valley
410-329-9867, naturepreschoolbaltimore.org
Grades: 2-5 years
Affiliation: Non-denominational, nature-based early-childhood program

NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL
10/15, 8:30 a.m.-noon
815 Hampton Ln., Towson
410-825-6202, notredameprep.com
Grades: 6-12, all female
Affiliation: Catholic

THE ODYSSEY SCHOOL
Inside Odyssey: 1/19, 6:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Snow date 1/26, 6:45 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
3257 Bridle Ridge Ln., Lutherville
410-580-5551, theodysseyschool.org
Grades: K-8, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

OLDFIELDS SCHOOL
10/15, 12/10, 4/15
1500 Glencoe Rd., Sparks Glencoe.
410-472-4800, oldfieldsschool.org
Grades: 8-12, all female
Affiliation: Non-denominational

OUR LADY OF GRACE PRE-SCHOOL
Prospective parent tours every Wednesday.
Register online, gracepreschoolbaltimore.com
18310 Middletown Rd., Parkton
410-329-6956, olgs.org
Grades: Preschool, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
10/30, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
1704 Old Eastern Ave., Essex.
410-238-1163, olmcmd.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL
Call for times.
4801 Ilchester Rd., Ellicott City
410-744-4251, olphschool.org
Grades: Pre-K to grade 8, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

THE PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
Visit the website for information.
2425 Old Court Rd.
410-339-7070, parkschool.net
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

PAULINE MASH SCHOOL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Call for tour information.
8101 Park Heights Ave.
410-484-0411, bethelbalto.com
Grades: birth-5 years, coed
Affiliation: Jewish

PEABODY PREPARATORY
Preparatory Institute of The Johns Hopkins University.
Call for times.
21 E. Mount Vernon Pl.
667-208-6640, peabody.jhu.edu/preparator
Grades: Music and dance instruction for all ages and abilities, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

REDEEMER CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Visit the website for more information.
6415 Mount Vista Rd., Kingsville
410-592-9625, rccs.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed
Affiliation: Christian

ROLAND PARK COUNTRY SCHOOL
Upper: 10/13, 4-5 p.m.; Middle: 10/20, 4-5 p.m.;
Lower: 11/3, 4-5 p.m.
5204 Roland Ave.
410-323-5500, rpcs.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, all female except coed preschool
Affiliation: Non-denominational

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL
10/1, 1/29, 11 a.m.
3617 Harford Rd.
410-467-1683, sfa-school.org
Grades: Pre-K to Grade 8., coed
Affiliation: Catholic

ST. JAMES ACADEMY
In-person open house 11/ 15, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.;
Virtual open house: 12/6, 12 – 1 p.m.; See website for virtual tour.
3100 Monkton Rd., Monkton
410-771-4816, saintjamesacademy.org
Grades: Pre-K-8, coed
Affiliation: Episcopalian

SAINT JAMES SCHOOL
Visit the website for more information.
17641 College Rd., Hagerstown
301-733-9330, stjames.edu
Grades: 8-12, coed
Affiliation: Episcopalian

ST. JOHN’S PARISH DAY SCHOOL
In-person open house 10/15, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; 11/17, 5-6:30 p.m.; 1/7,10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; 2/16, 5-6:30 p.m.;
Virtual open house: 10/27, 11 a.m.
9130 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City
410-465-7644, stjohnspds.org
Grades: Age 3-Grade 5, coed
Affiliation: Episcopalian

ST. MARK SCHOOL
Call for times.
26 Melvin Ave., Catonsville
410-744-6560, stmark-school.org
Grades: Pre-K(3)-8, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

ST. PAUL’S PRE AND LOWER SCHOOL
Parent Information Sessions: 10/14, 11/14, 12/7, 1/9, 9-10:30 a.m. 11232 Falls Rd., Brooklandville
Preschool: 410-823-0061; Lower school: 410-821-3029, stpaulsmd.org/coed
Grades: 6 weeks-Grade 4
Affiliation: Episcopalian

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Parent Information Sessions:
Middle School: 10/25, 12/9, 1/10, 8:45-10:45 a.m., Virtual: 11/17, 6:30-7:30 p.m.;
Upper School: 10/20, 11/8, 11/15, 12/6, 1/6, 8:45-10:45 a.m., Virtual: 11/15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville
410-825-4400, stpaulsmd.org/boys
Grades: 5-12
Affiliation: Episcopalian

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Parent Information Sessions:
Middle School: 10/18, 12/13, 1/13, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Virtual: 11/8, 6:30-7:30 p.m.;
Upper School: 10/21, 12/7, 1/11,8:30-10:30 a.m., Virtual: 11/9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Visit Days: Middle School: 10/12, 10/18, 11/4, 11/9, 12/6, 12/9, 12/13, 1/9, 1/13;
Upper School: 10/3, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/25, 11/2, 11/8, 11/15, 11/18, 12/7, 1/6, 1/11.
11232 Falls Rd., Brooklandville
410-823-6323, stpaulsmd.org/girls
Grades: 5-12
Affiliation: Episcopalian

ST. TIMOTHY’S SCHOOL
Visit the website for more information.
8400 Greenspring Ave., Stevenson
410-486-7401, stt.org
Grades: 9-12, boarding and day, all female
Affiliation: Episcopalian

ST. URSULA SCHOOL
Call for times.
8900 Harford Rd., Parkville
410-665-3533, stursula.org
Grades: Pre-K(4)-8, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

SANDY SPRING FRIENDS SCHOOL
Call for times.
16923 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring
301-774-7455, ssfs.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed
Affiliation: Quaker

THE SCHOOL OF THE CATHEDRAL OF MARY OUR QUEEN
10/11, 11/15, 1/31, 9 -11:30 a.m.
111 Amberly Way.
410-464-4100, schoolofthecathedral.org
Grades: Pre-K(4)-8, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

SEVERN SCHOOL
(now merged with Chesapeake Academy)
Lower School: 10/4, 1/12
Middle and Upper schools: 10/20, 7 – 9 p.m.
Lower School: 1185 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Arnold.
Middle/Upper School: 201 Water St., Severna Park.
410-647-7700, severnschool.com
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

SHADY SIDE ACADEMY
Call for information. 423 Fox Chapel Rd. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
412-968-3000, shadysideacademy.org
Grades: Pre-K-12, coed, day and boarding (board only high school)
Affiliation: Non-denominational

SPRINGDALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Call for times.
1000 Green Valley Rd., New Windsor.
410-671-0072, springdaleprep.org
Grades: 6-12, day and boarding, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

TONG LE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Call for times.
805 E. Fayette St., Suite 100.
410-929-1628, tonglemontessori.com
Grades: Ages 6 weeks-6th grade
Affiliation: Non-denominational
Mandarin Chinese immersion program

TRINITY SCHOOL
Call for times.
4985 Ilchester Rd., Ellicott City
443-744-1524, trinityschoolmd.org
Grades: Pre-K(3)-8, coed
Affiliation: Catholic

WALDORF SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
Windows into Waldorf: 10/20, 11/29, 12/15, 9-10 a.m.
4801 Tamarind Rd.
410-367-6808, waldorfschoolofbaltimore.org
Grades: Pre-K-8, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

WEST NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY
Call for times.
1079 Firetower Rd., Colora
410-658-5556, wna.org
Grades: 9-12, day and boarding, coed
Affiliation: Non-denominational

Source

Filmmaker George Lucas to Receive Honorary Degree at Johns Hopkins Commencement

Christine Jackson — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:11:00 +0000

Those gathered at the Royal Farms Arena on May 24 to celebrate the Johns Hopkins University Class of 2018 will likely hear a few familiar names among the graduates, but one may stick out from the rest.

George Lucas, film innovator and the mind behind the iconic Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, has been chosen to receive one of the six honorary degrees from Johns Hopkins University to be conferred this year.

“I am passionate about creating educational opportunities that enable our young people to learn and grow,” says Lucas. “I am extraordinarily impressed with Johns Hopkins and its academic mission—one that fosters an environment of creativity, imagination and innovation.”

Lucas, who also holds an honorary doctorate in fine arts from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, will attend the commencement ceremony along with his wife, Mellody Hobson, who is also being awarded an honorary degree. Hobson is president of Ariel Investments, one of the country’s largest African-American-owned investment firms, and was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2015.

JHU senior Claudia Perez, who has been a member of The Johns Hopkins Science-Fiction and Fantasy Association (HopSFA) since her freshman year, is excited to graduate alongside one of the heroes of the sci-fi community.

“I’m a pretty big Star Wars fan,” says Perez. “I’ve seen all the movies multiple times and have played many hours of the various video games, not to mention owning many of the Lego sets. One summer a group of HopSFA members, myself included, got together each week and watched 1-6 before the seventh movie came out.”

For the past three years, Perez has worked to organize many HopSFA events as a member of the group’s board, including an annual convention called JohnCon, in addition to her studies in molecular and cellular biology. She and other HopSFA members found out about Lucas’ honorary degree via JHU Hub and have been talking about it since.

“I think it’s really cool and would love to see more people with similar interests to myself get acknowledged for their accomplishments,” Perez says.

Since selling Lucasfilm to the Walt Disney Company in 2012, Lucas has dedicated his time to the George Lucas Educational Foundation, which he founded in 1991. The foundation promotes “innovative, replicable, and evidence-based programs and practices that prepare students to thrive in school.” The filmmaker’s latest project, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art broke ground last month in Los Angeles and is expected to open in 2022.

Lucas and Hobson will be honored alongside locals David H. Bernstein, Douglas Miles and Solomon H. Snyder, as well as commencement speaker Bryan A. Stevenson.