chool pride runs deep in Baltimore, where independent-school emblems adorn car bumpers and campus amenities rival those of the top colleges and universities in the region. Meet someone new in Charm City, and you might be as likely to hear about where they went to high school as where they attended college. Here, graduates join a long legacy of alumni that share a sense of pride for each unique institution. But with more than 120 independent schools in the Baltimore-Washington area—and 30 in the Baltimore area alone—finding the perfect fit can be a daunting task.

While public schools typically accept new students on a rolling basis, most independent-school admissions timelines operate on an annual schedule like universities. Families should begin the process a year before students plan to attend.

“I think for a family that’s coming to it for the first time, it can be overwhelming,” says Annie Smallwood Morse, executive director of enrollment management at the St. Paul’s Schools, a family of independent schools serving students from infancy through grade 12 in Baltimore County. “We try to make it as similar as possible, but each school is going to do things a little differently. Getting started early is a good idea.”

Even if you’re familiar with schools in the area from your own or a family member’s prior experience, Morse suggests embarking on the process with fresh eyes for each child.

“In this saturated independent-school world that we live in here, try not to listen to the stereotypes that people have,” she says. “Schools have very much changed and evolved. Make your decisions and impressions of the school by your own personal experience and the best fit for your child and your family, and not that chatter. It’s easy to get sucked up in that, but it’s so refreshing when you’re working with families who don’t have those preconceived notions.”

Before wading through dozens of admissions websites, make sure you understand and prioritize your child’s unique needs by creating a whish list.

To figure out the ideal educational opportunity for your child, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) recommends families ask themselves a series of questions, including whether the ideal school would be small or large, day or boarding, coeducational or single-sex, traditional or progressive, and how it would be best equipped for the child’s special needs and interests.

This wish list serves as a starting point to narrow down potential schools during the selection process. Armed with your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and anything you want to avoid, conduct a search using a comprehensive online tool like the one provided by NAIS, or by visiting school websites to come up with a list of schools that fit your criteria.

With several options in mind, it’s time to get to know each school’s culture on a personal level.

“My advice to families is to start early, to be objective, and to approach the search with an open mind with the end goal of learning about all of the programs offered at each school,” says Missy Moreland, an independent educational consultant (IEC) based in Monkton, who specializes in helping families navigate the school search and application process. “The endeavor is to always try and picture the student at each school to evaluate if each prospective school would be a good fit.”

Moreland is one of more than 40 IECs in the state who serve as a link between a family’s needs and the many unique day and boarding school options that best fit those needs.

“I like to partner and guide the family through the school search process with a genuine interest in the student’s success,” Moreland says. “An IEC should take a caring and individualized approach to understanding the student’s relative strengths and weaknesses, all while clarifying the search process. The IEC should be familiar with this universe of schools and select the best fit list of schools for each individualized search.”

After getting to know your family and your child, a consultant can assist with everything from developing a list of potential schools and creating a timeline for the search process to keeping track of application requirements and interpreting search results.

While partnering with an independent educational consultant gives families a leg up in the school search, getting a feel for schools through the open house remains one of the most important experiences in the selection process.

Held each year in the fall, open houses make a great entry point to learn more about independent schools that could be a good match for your child. Consult the following list, or reach out to schools to find out open house dates and more information. You should visit open houses the fall before you plan to enroll your child in a new school.

Some schools open for a few hours for families to come and go, tour facilities, and meet the admissions team, while others organize full-day programs that include talks by the head of school or admissions counselors and require advance registration. Still others offer a suite of admissions experiences covering topics such as affording a private-school education and hearing from a panel of young alumni about how the school contributed to their success.

The open house is the perfect opportunity to learn about a school’s mission and to get a first impression of its values and culture. Be sure to jot down in-depth questions that come to mind during the event to follow up about later, during a personal tour or interview.

For open-house season last fall, schools pivoted to virtual formats, where prospective families could hear from faculty, administrators, and current families. In addition, many schools offered virtual campus tours online and facilitated one-on-one conversations with enrolled families.

While many schools are returning to modified in-person admissions experiences this year, some elements introduced over the past year are here to stay. Check individual school websites as events approach for the most up- to-date information.

“We all learned a lot during a year of virtual admissions,” says Morse of St. Paul’s Schools. “There are some things we felt like worked really well virtually, and some things we were able to do that, had we done them in person, wouldn’t have worked the same.”

Encompassing three schools—a coed pre-and lower school through fourth grade and single-gender girls’ and boys’ schools beginning in fifth grade—St. Paul’s Schools share a 120-acre campus and Episcopal tradition. This fall, the schools’ admissions events will include a hybrid of in-person and virtual open houses and school visit experiences.

When possible, however, in-person experiences offer the best glimpse into a school’s culture.

“Take advantage of every opportunity to get on campus,” Morse adds, noting that a lot of campus events are open to the public, such as plays or sports games. “What you see at the open houses might be different than what you see by going to a game and cheering from the sidelines. Getting to experience the school in more than just one way gives you a real feel for the community and what the campus has to offer.”

Another welcome change inspired by the pandemic are more intimate events, like personal or small-group campus tours.

“The on-campus events have become personalized,” Moreland says, noting that, at several local schools, the large group tours have been downsized. “It started out because they had to be socially distanced, but it’s nice because it’s become much more individualized, and I think it’s something that is going to continue.”

In addition to the open house, Moreland suggests connecting with as many different types of school representatives as possible. Admissions is a great place to start, but also look beyond that office at faculty and staff, current parents and students, and alumni. “It’s such a great opportunity for insight,” she says. “There’s a lot that you can really learn through those conversations for families to better understand the culture of each of the schools.”

At St. Paul’s Schools, parents are available through the admissions website for prospective families to connect with to ask questions and learn more. “Use current parents as a resource,” Morse suggests. “Connect with them, and find out what it was that was the deciding factor for them and their family.”

To make comparisons easier, write down your questions and ask the same ones at each school interview or tour. Once you’ve narrowed down your top choices, make sure you add application and financial aid deadlines—typically in January—to your calendar.

Admissions offices begin to share decisions in March. If your child is accepted at more than one school, arrange a shadow day at each school for your child to experience what daily life would be like. Revisit your original wish list to make sure you haven’t lost sight of your family’s priorities or each child’s unique needs.

“It’s not going to be the same for every student,” Morse says. “What may be the fit for one child might not be the fit for the second student. Families will know when they come on campus and when they’ve been in the school—they get a feeling. Don’t be afraid to listen to that feeling.”

Save the Dates

Below is a list of open houses at schools in the Greater Baltimore region. The time of the open houses, when available, is printed directly a er the name of each school.

ARCHBISHOP CURLEY HIGH SCHOOL
10/23 and 10/24, 10 a.m.-noon. 3701 Sinclair Ln. 410-485-5000 archbishop-curley.org Grades: 9-12, all-male. Enrollment: 560. Affiliation: Roman Catholic/ Franciscan.

ARCHBISHOP SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL
10/24, 12 p.m. 8080 New Cut Rd., Severn 410-969-9105 archbishpspaulding.org Grades: 9-12, coed. Enrollment: 1,253. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL
Third Thursday breakfast tour each month, 9-10:15 a.m. 2220 St. Paul St. 410-261-5500 baltimorelabschool.org Grades: 1-12, coed. Enrollment: 137. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

BETH EL @ FEDERAL HILL
Call for tour information. 1530 Battery Ave. 410-528-6001 bethelbalto.com Grades: 2-5 years of age, coed. Enrollment: 40. Affiliation: Jewish.

BETH TFILOH DAHAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
High School: 11/14, 7 p.m.; Middle school: 11/19, 7 p.m.; Lower school: 11/7, 8:45 a.m. 3300 Old Court Rd., Pikesville. 410-486-1905 bethtfiloh.com Grades: 15 months-grade 12, coed. Enrollment: 943. Affiliation: Jewish.

THE BOYS’ LATIN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND
10/24, 10 a.m. 822 W. Lake Ave. 410-377-5192 boyslatinmd.com Grades: K-12, all-male. Enrollment: 630. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

THE BRYN MAWR SCHOOL
10/23, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 109 W. Melrose Ave. 410-323-8800 brynmawrschool. org Grades: K-12, all-female; The Little School, coed. Enrollment: 700. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

CALVERT HALL COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
10/31, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 8102 La Salle Rd. 410-825-4266 calverthall.com Grades: 9-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,192. Affiliation: Roman Catholic and LaSallian.

CALVERT SCHOOL
10/1, 10/20, 11/11, 12/2, 1/11, 9:30-11 a.m. 105 Tuscany Rd. 410-243-6054 calvertschoolmd.org Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 626. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL
Call for times. 110 Sudbrook Ln., Pikesville. 410-486-3686 cambridgeschool.org Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 121. Affiliation: Christian.

THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
10/23, 12-2 p.m. 2800 Edison Hwy. 410-732-6200 thecatholichighschool. org Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 300. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

COLUMBIA ACADEMY
Elementary and Middle School: 10/26, Call for time. 10350 Old Columbia Rd., Columbia. 410-312-7413 columbiaacademy.com Grades: Junior K-8, coed. Enrollment: 138. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

CONCORDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL
10/12, 10 a.m.-noon. 1145 Concordia Dr., Towson. 410-825-2323 concordiaprepschool.org Grades: 6-12, coed. Enrollment: 400. Affiliation: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

EASTERN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
10/17, 6-8 p.m. 1100 Mace Ave., Essex. 410-809-0190 easterntechhs.bcps.org Grades: 9-12, coed. Enrollment: ~1,174. Affiliation: Non-sectarian, public.

FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY
Call for appointment. 4744 James Madison Hwy., Fork Union, Virginia. 1-800-GO-2-FUMA (1-800-462-3862) forkunion.com Grades: 7-12 and post- grad program, boarding, all-male. Enrollment: ~367. Affiliation: Christian.

FRIENDS SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
First Look @ Friends: 9/22, 10/7, 10/21, 11/9, 4:30 p.m. Zoom 12/7, 7 p.m. 5114 N. Charles St. 410-649-3200 friendsbalt.org Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 830. Affiliation: Quaker.

GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL
Parent visit days, lower school: 10/11, 8-10:00 a.m.; middle school: 10/16, 7:45-9:30 a.m.; upper school: 10/17, 8-10 a.m. 300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills. 410-363-1500 gfs.org Grades: Pre-K-12, all-female except coed pre-K. Enrollment: 550. Affiliation: Non- sectarian.

GERSTELL ACADEMY
10/16, 10 a.m.; 10/28, 6 p.m.; 11/19, 9 a.m.; 12/10, 11 a.m. 2500 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg. 410-861-3000 gerstell.org Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. En- rollment: 400. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

GILMAN SCHOOL
Middle and upper school: 10/26, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 5407 Roland Ave. 410-323-3800 gilman.edu Grades: K-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,020. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

GLENELG COUNTRY SCHOOL
10/15, 11/2, 12/1, 9 a.m. 12793 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City. 410-531-8600 glenelg.org Grades: Age 2-grade 12, coed. Enrollment: 780. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Call for times. 10807 Tony Dr., Lutherville-Timonium. 410-321-8555 greenspringmontessori.org Grades: 18 months-grade 9, coed. Enrollment: 260. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

HARFORD DAY SCHOOL
10/18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Middle school preview: 11/4, call for time. 715 Moores Mill Rd., Bel Air. 410-838-4848 harfordday.org Grades: Age 3-grade 8. Enrollment: 295. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY
10/2, 12/11, 1/8, 4/30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 200 Military Dr., Chatham, Virginia. 1-434- 432-2481 Hargrave.edu/admission/visit Grades: 7-12, plus post-graduate for boys. Enrollment: 140. Affiliation: Baptist.

THE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL
Call to schedule tour. 2409 Creswell Rd., Bel Air. 410-836-1415 highlandsschool.net Grades: K-12, coed. Enrollment: 92, rolling admissions. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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. Enrollment: 535. Affiliation: Catholic

JEMICY SCHOOL
Please contact the Admission Office to schedule a meeting with the admission staff to discuss your child’s learning profile and to learn about our program. 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. Enrollment: 449. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL
10/30, 10 a.m. to noon, 1-3 p.m. 703 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air. 410-838-8333 johncarroll.org Grades: 9-12, coed. En- rollment: 700. Affiliation: Catholic.

KRIEGER SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
Info session and tours: 10/17, 12/4, 1/9, 9 a.m. 8100 Stevenson Rd. 410-486-8640 ksds.edu Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 295. Affiliation: Jewish.

LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD
10/24, 500 Chestnut Ave., Towson. 410-823-0601 loyolablakefield.org Grades: 6-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,000. Affiliation: Jesuit Catholic.

MARYVALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Upper School: 10/4 and 11/5, 8:30 a.m.; Middle School: 10/17 and 12/5, 8:30 a.m. 11300 Falls Rd., Lutherville. 410-252-3366 maryvale.com Grades: 6-12, all-female. Enrollment: 380. Affiliation: Catholic.

MCDONOGH SCHOOL
Lower: 10/10, 10/23, 11/5, 9 a.m.; Middle: 10/27, 12:30 p.m.; Upper: 10/27, 3 p.m. 8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills. 410-363-0600 mcdonogh.org/ admissions/ways-to-visit Grades: Pre- K-12, coed. Enrollment: 1,450. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

MERCERSBURG ACADEMY
10/11, 12/13, Call for times. 100 Academy Dr., Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. 717-328-6173 mercersburg.edu/open-house Grades: 9-12, plus post-grad year, boarding and day. Enrollment: 445, coed Affiliation: Non-sectarian

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
10/23, 10 a.m.-2 pm. 1300 E. Northern Pkwy. 410-433-8880 mercyhighschool.com Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 427. Affiliation: Catholic.

MOTHER SETON ACADEMY
11/3, 12-3 p.m. 2215 Greenmount Ave. 410-563-2833 mothersetonacademy.org Grades: 6-8, coed. Enrollment: 75. Affiliation: Catholic.

MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY
11/7, 12-3 p.m. 700 Academy Rd., Catonsville. 410-744-8498 mountdesalesacademy.org Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 485. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Call for times, 4403 Frederick Ave. 410-644-3300 msjnet.edu Grades: 9-12, all-male. Enrollment: 924. Affiliation: Roman 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. Enrollment: N/A Affiliation: Non-sectarian, nature- based early-childhood program

NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL
10/12, 8:30 a.m.-noon. 815 Hampton Ln., Towson. 410-825-6202 notredameprep.com Grades: 6-12, all-female. Enrollment: 800. Affiliation: Catholic.

THE ODYSSEY SCHOOL
Inside Odyssey: 1/20, 6:45-9 p.m. Snow Date for Inside Odyssey: 1/27, 6:45-9 p.m. 3257 Bridle Ridge Ln., Lutherville. 410-580-5551 theodysseyschool.org Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 160. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

OLDFIELDS SCHOOL
10/16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1500 Glencoe Rd., Sparks-Glencoe. 410-472-4800
oldfieldsschool.org Grades: 8-12, all-female. Enrollment: 120. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

OUR LADY OF GRACE PRE-SCHOOL
Call for times, 18310 Middletown Rd., Parkton. 410-329-6956 olgs.org Grades: Preschool, coed. Enrollment: 35. Affiliation: Catholic.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Call for times, 1704 Old Eastern Ave., Essex. 410-686-4972 olmcmd.org Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 532. Affiliation: Catholic.

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL
Call for times, 4801 Ilchester Rd., Ellico City. 410-744-4251 olphschool.org Grades: Pre-K to grade 8, coed. Enrollment: 240. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

THE PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
Call for times, 2425 Old Court Rd. 410- 339-7070 parkschool.net Grades: Pre- K-12, coed. Enrollment: 813. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

PAULINE MASH SCHOOL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Call for tour information, 8101 Park Heights Ave. 410-484-0411 bethelbalto.com Grades: 8 weeks-5 years, coed. Enrollment: 120. 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 Grades: Music and dance instruction for all ages and abilities, coed. Enrollment: Approx. 2,000 per week at four locations. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

REDEEMER CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
11/7, 6:30 p.m. 6415 Mount Vista Rd., Kingsville. 410-592-9625 rccs.org Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 234. Affiliation: Christian.

ROLAND PARK COUNTRY SCHOOL
Middle/Upper school: 9/25, 4-5 p.m.; Lower school: 10/4, 10/30, 8:30-10 a.m. 5204 Roland Ave. 410-323-5500 rpcs.org Grades: Pre-K-12, all-female except coed preschool. Enrollment: 579. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL
Call for times, 3617 Harford Rd. 410-467-1683 sfa-school.org Grades: Pre-K to Grade 8. Enrollment: 260, coed. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

ST. JAMES ACADEMY
10/20, 1:30 p.m.; 11/ 5, 9 a.m.; 11/ 17, 9 a.m.; 12/3, 1:30 p.m.; 12/15, 1:30 p.m. See website for virtual tour. 3100 Monkton Rd., Monkton. 410-568-7573 saintjamesacademy.org Grades: Pre- K-8, coed. Enrollment: 300. Affiliation: Episcopalian

SAINT JAMES SCHOOL
Virtual: 9/27, 7 p.m. In-person (COVID- depending): 11/11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 17641 College Rd., Hagerstown. 301-733-9330 stjames.edu Grades: 8-12, coed. Enroll- ment: 230. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

ST. JOHN’S PARISH DAY SCHOOL
Call for times 9130 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. 410-465-7644 stjohnspds.org Grades: Age 3-Grade 5, coed. Enrollment: 350. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

ST. MARK SCHOOL
Call for times, 26 Melvin Ave. Catonsville. 410-744-6560 stmarkschool.org Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 340. Affiliation: Catholic.

ST. PAUL’S PRE AND LOWER SCHOOL
Parent Information Sessions: 10/15, 11/17, 12/8 (virtual), 1/11, 11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville. 410-821- 3060 stpaulsmd.org/coed Grades: Infant-Grade 4. Enrollment: 374. Affiliation: Episcopalian.
Parent Information Sessions: Middle School: 10/26, 11/16, 11/18 (virtual), 12/7, 1/12. 410-821-3034 stpaulsmd.org/boys Grades: 5-12. Enrollment: 546. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Parent Information Sessions: Middle School: 10/19, 11/9 (virtual), 12/2, 1/13 Upper School: 10/14, 11/4 (virtual), 12/8, 1/6. 11232 Falls Rd., Brooklandville. 443-632-1082 stpaulsmd.org/girls Grades: 5-12. Enrollment: 451. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

ST. PIUS X SCHOOL
Call for times, 6432 York Rd. 410-427-7400 stpiusschool.org Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 145. Affiliation: Catholic.

ST. TIMOTHY’S SCHOOL
10/14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 2-4 p.m.; 11/2, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; 11/11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. 8400 Greenspring Ave., Stevenson. 410-486-7401 stt.org Grades: 9-12, boarding and day, all-female. Enrollment: 200. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

ST. URSULA SCHOOL
Call for times, 900 Harford Rd., Parkville. 410-665-3533 stursula.org Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 626. Affiliation: Catholic.

SANDY SPRING FRIENDS SCHOOL
10/20, 1-3:30 p.m. 16923 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring. 301-774-7455 ssfs.org Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 622. Affiliation: Quaker.

THE SCHOOL OF THE CATHEDRAL OF MARY OUR QUEEN
10/5, 11/11, 8:30-11:30 a.m. 111 Amberly Way. 410-464-4100 schoolofthecathedral.org Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 354. Affiliation: Catholic.

SEVERN SCHOOL
(now merged with Chesapeake Academy) Lower School: 10/7, 9 a.m.; Middle and Upper schools: 11/4, 7 p.m. Lower School: 1185 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Arnold. Middle/Upper School: 201 Water St., Severna Park. 410-647-7700 severn-school.com Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 884. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

SHADY SIDE ACADEMY
Senior School: 10/16, 9 a.m.; 11/13, 9 a.m.; 12/11, 9 a.m. 423 Fox Chapel Rd. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 412-968- 3000 shadysideacademy.org Grades: 9-12, coed, day and boarding. Enrollment: 475. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

SPRINGDALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Call for Times, 1000 Green Valley Rd., New Windsor. 855-405-8600 springdaleps.org Grades: 5-12, day and boarding, coed. Enrollment: n/a. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

TONG LE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Open house: Call for times, 805 E. Fayette St., Ste. 100. 410-929-1628 tonglemontessori.com Grades: Ages 6 weeks-6 years Enrollment: 35. Affiliation: Non-sectarian Mandarin Chinese immersion program.

TRINITY SCHOOL
All grades: 10/9, 10 a.m.; 11/14, 9:30 a.m. 4985 Ilchester Rd., Ellicott City. 443-744-1524 trinityschoolmd.org Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 320. Affiliation: Catholic.

WALDORF SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
Call for times, 4801 Tamarind Rd. 410- 367-6808 waldorfschoolofbaltimore.org Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 153. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

WEST NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY
Call for times, 1079 Firetower Rd., Colora. 410-658-5556 wna.org Grades: 9-12, day and boarding, coed. Enrollment: 130. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Paying for Private: A New Take on Tuition

It’s no secret that an independent-school education comes with a significant price tag. And the cost keeps going up. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the median Baltimore-area day-school tuition was $29,264, while boarding tuition was $63,846.

However, more than 37 percent of students at Baltimore-area schools receive financial aid, according to the National Association of Independent Schools.

The cost of tuition has well outpaced inflation, and it’s getting increasingly challenging for families to keep up. From 1997 to 2019, education expenses increased by 157 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, compared to an overall inflation increase of 58 percent.
As tuition takes up an increasingly larger share of family income, affording an independent school can feel out of reach for many.

What are schools doing to address these challenges? We spoke with David Schriver, CPA, a director in the audit and accounting department of Ellin & Tucker, about how independent schools are rethinking their tuition models to make financing a private-school education possible for more families.

There are two ways most tuition gets subsidized, Schriver says: It’s either self-funded through an endowment, or budgeted into a school’s annual forecast. Most institutions in Baltimore fall under the latter.

“Schools are trying to identify ways to make tuition a little bit more affordable,” Schriver says. “It’s expensive. They acknowledge that, and they want to help you figure out how to afford it.”

As the rise in tuition becomes unsustainable for many families, new tuition models are popping up at independent schools in Baltimore and beyond.

One approach to the rising tuition rates is to start fresh and drop tuition down to a new level. “This approach seeks to make the school more accessible by reducing the sticker price and increasing transparency throughout the financial-aid application process,” Schriver says. “While the result is a new advertised price, the reality is that families would likely already be paying as much through financial aid.”

Indexed tuition is a model that seeks to demystify the financial-aid process, allowing schools to advertise tuition rates based on a percentage of family income. “The school may set different rates for certain income ranges and publish these rates so that a potential family will be able to calculate what tuition will cost them before they even apply,” Schriver says. “It allows families to have a better understanding of what they might end up paying going in.”

Flexible tuition is another model. Like indexed tuition, it is also scale-driven based on income, but with a limited number of available spaces for each tuition tier. When those spaces ll up, families would be bumped into the next tier. “It’s a first-come, first-served kind of approach, so you may see an early drive toward enrollment because they want to make sure they get into the tier they qualify for,” Schriver explains.

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 (starting the year before you want your child to attend) from the National Association of Independent Schools to make sure you hit the important milestones. 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 student.

To Board or Not to Board: How to Know if Boarding School is the Right Fit for Your Family

Boarding schools offer excellent opportunities for students to develop their independence and foster deep relationships with peers and faculty. With more than 75 boarding schools within a day’s drive of Baltimore—and 11 in Maryland alone—it’s worth determining if boarding is a potential fit for your child.

Maryland-based independent educational consultant Missy Moreland, who works with families to place students at boarding schools around the globe, shares the questions families considering the boarding option should ask.

“There are lots of varieties, lots of kinds of schools and a lot of opportunities,” she says. “At a boarding school, students are able to grow and learn in new environments, becoming more independent and con dent, and are looking for challenges academically, where they have more diversity of friends and more opportunities to try new sports or activities.”

Much like the day-school admissions process, it’s important to ask questions and conduct research to find a school that is the best fit for your child and your entire family.

“Look for the schools that o er the academic and extracurricular programs to provide your student with a learning environment and residential community that is safe, nurturing, and offers potential for growth,” she says.

When working with families, Moreland asks questions regarding things like culture, location, and campus life to determine if a boarding school is a good fit.

Asking the Right Questions

▶ Does the school culture and values resonate with your family?

▶ Do the current students seem happy? Are they relaxed? Are they having fun? Do they seem motivated and challenged in and outside of the classroom?

▶ Can you see your child there?

▶ Is there a specialized program that meets your child’s needs, such as performing arts, sports, or special learning needs?

▶ What does the campus population look like? Where are students coming from?

▶ Is it near an airport or easily accessible by car or train?

▶ How is campus safety?

▶ Is there an on-campus health center or community hospital nearby?

▶ What cultural and civic attractions are available nearby? Can students take advantage of these opportunities?

▶ What are the populations of five-and seven-day boarders compared to
day students?

▶ What percentage of students and faculty remain on campus on weekends?

▶ What activities are available on nights and weekends?

▶ What type of support or programs are available to acclimate first-year boarding students?

▶ Is parent and alumni involvement visible on campus?

Carol Adams-Knight and her husband, Sydney Knight, took an approach to planning their children’s educational future that could only be described as methodical. And it paid off.

As her middle school-aged daughters neared the end of their educations at Trinity School in Ellicott City, which culminates at eighth grade, she and her husband began the process of choosing an independent secondary school nearly two years before their eldest, Sereena, graduated.

“We did start the process a little bit earlier than maybe most people—I’ve heard from other parents that I started too early,” says Adams-Knight. “But I wouldn’t change anything.”

“After all, this is one of the most important decisions you’re going to make as parents,” she says. “It’s going to affect your children for the rest of their lives.”

First, the couple created a matrix of criteria (single-sex versus coed, distance from home or work, class size, budget, etc.) and came up with a preliminary list of potential schools to see how they stacked up. “We also looked at the college matriculations, what types of clubs they had, and the travel-abroad programs,” adds Adams-Knight.

Starting early allowed them to narrow the list to a handful of the most serious prospects. “The earlier you start the process, the earlier you’re able to eliminate,” she explains. “So, by the second serious year, you’re focusing on three or four choices, not six or seven.” Ultimately, the family applied to five schools and enrolled Sereena and Caroline in The Bryn Mawr School, a nonsectarian school for K-12 girls in Baltimore, for the 2016-2017 school year.

While the family considered schools based on many criteria, one stood out from the rest.

“Fundamentally, we really wanted to see that the academic curriculum was challenging for the girls,” she says. “That was a very important criteria, and we knew that Bryn Mawr had a great reputation in terms of the challenging curriculum.”

The Power of Independence

A personalized experience—for both children and their parents—is a hallmark of independent-school education. But what makes a school independent? According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), it’s the school’s philosophy (each is driven by a unique mission), as well as the way it is managed and financed (each is governed by an independent board of trustees rather than a public school board and supported by tuition and charitable contributions).

This independence allows schools to respond uniquely to each child’s needs. Other benefits include mission-driven education, high academic standards, small class sizes, excellent teachers, and diverse communities that value inclusiveness.

With dozens of these schools in the region—the Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. schools (AIMS) claims 123 member institutions, including a great many faith-based schools—there’s a perfect match for every child. But with so many options, finding the right fit for your family takes time.

To start, NAIS recommends creating a “wish list” to help guide your search. For instance, would your child thrive in a small or large community? Are you looking for day school or boarding school? Do you prefer a coeducational or single-sex environment? Would your child excel in any special programs, such as an emphasis in the arts or technology?

Mount Washington parents Angela Lima and Sergio Lima Arroyo, for example, knew their active children would benefit from play-based learning, so, at each prospective school, they asked about how much time students typically spend being active or outdoors.

During the selection process, Angela Lima reflected on her own educational experience. “To me, elementary school was reciting poetry and doing plays,” recalls the mother of three. “We were looking for a school where every student gets art education integrated into every program.”

After looking into several options, including local public schools, Lima was won over by The Waldorf School of Baltimore (WSB), a coed independent day school enrolling students from nursery school through eighth grade in Baltimore’s Cold Spring-Newton neighborhood.

“We know adults in every walk of life who have gone through Waldorf schools that are productive and good human beings,” says Lima, three of whose four children, Giorgio, 8, Vincent, 6, and Lucia, 3, all attend WSB. Developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1919, the Waldorf educational method emphasizes holistic learning with a foundation in imagination and curiosity.

Lima found the active curriculum, which emphasizes introducing the right material at the right time for each child, to be a good fit for her “ants-in-their-pants” sons. “We love that kids can be kids—that they’re nurtured and honored and that instructors get to know each child through hands-on discovery,” says Lima. “They aren’t chided for not sitting still.”

But it was more than the school’s unique educational philosophy that made it a good fit. The Limas say they felt valued from their first interaction with admissions. “It wasn’t a turnstile,” says Lima. “We felt that we counted, and the relationship felt personal.”

Making the Most of the Open House

Unlike public schools, which take in new students year-round, most independent schools follow an admissions process much like a college or university. Since the timeline can begin almost a year before new students would attend the school, NAIS recommends parents seek out deadlines early—for both admissions and financial aid—by calling or visiting the websites of potential schools. Then, keep careful track of the dates, and allow plenty of time to meet them.

Once you’ve defined your family’s ideal school and narrowed down a list of the best contenders, it’s time to see the schools in action. Open houses, held in the fall and winter, give parents an opportunity to experience an institution’s mission and environment for themselves. Individual school tours, planned in advance with the admissions department, offer parents and families a more personalized look at the school. 

“When you come to an open house or a visiting day, really dive into it,” suggests Pat Whitehead, executive director at The Waldorf School. Find out how the school will meet the needs of your child by asking questions—beyond what might be found on the brochure. “Your job is to dig deep, to ask as many questions as you want. Prepare your list of questions before you go into the school.”

While children should always be involved in the decision-making process, the degree obviously varies depending on age. “One of the hardest things for parents, particularly parents of kids going into middle school, is to be clear about who is making the decision,” says Whitehead. “You have to listen to your child’s experience and their feelings, but you should remember that you have their long-term needs in mind in a way that they don’t. The here and now is really important, and your child needs to feel heard. But so, too, is the long-term educational strategy, and the parents understand that.”

An integral way to involve children is through shadow days, where they are paired with a student ambassador and attend classes with them for all or part of a school day. Visit days offered Sereena and Caroline Knight the opportunity to get an inside look at schools and share their experiences with their parents. “We encouraged them to not just look at the person they’re shadowing with, but to look at the girls beyond that person. In some instances, we were surprised at the feedback,” says Knight. “But at Bryn Mawr, they definitely felt a connection that they told us about.”

In addition to the organized school tour and visit days, Angela Lima recommends parents get to know the school away from the glitz of admissions events. “Don’t just go through the steps the school wants, when they put their best foot forward,” she says. “Visit on random, non-open house days. Attend other events and interact with current students.” At Waldorf, she was won over by the sense of community evident in the everyday details—children there exuded warmth, holding doors open for one another and saying good morning.

“Don’t be frightened by the process,” advises Whitehead of WSB. Think of choosing the right school as establishing a partnership between parents and educators that begins from the first admissions inquiry and continues through graduation. “You’re going into a partnership that is going to last for quite some time,” she says. “The parents and school will hold that child between them. It’s not to be taken lightly.”

After several years of day care, Deserea Russell felt her oldest daughter, Madison Speaks, then 4 years old, was ready for a more stimulating environment that would prepare her for kindergarten.

So the Columbia mom, who had just made a move from Washington, D.C., began the search for pre-K programs in Howard County. After attending several open houses and applying to a few local schools, she was most impressed by Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City.

Each fall, families like the Russells across the Baltimore region enter the final stages of the independent-school research process—a sometimes daunting experience, which is why admissions advisors suggest starting at least one year in advance. Most open houses and admissions events begin in the fall, with final applications due in the winter, and acceptances and final selections in the spring.

For Russell, what was intended to be a pit-stop on the way to public kindergarten ended up igniting a passion for independent schooling. Seven years later, both of her daughters remain at Glenelg—Madison Speaks, now 11, entered sixth grade this fall, while her younger sister, Zaria, 8 years old, follows in third grade.

“Our intention was to move on from Glenelg after pre-K, but I went to a kindergarten informational for public school, and I was intimidated by how large the class sizes could be and how they weren’t offering some of the curriculum or programs that we had come to expect from GCS,” Russell recalls. “So we decided to stay there.”

With this in mind, Russell advises other parents to keep an open mind when it comes to educational options.

“Maybe you don’t expect to come this far out of your area, or pay tuition, or even choose a private school, but you have to do what’s best for your child,” she counsels. “Your child may not survive or thrive in a setting where there’s a lot of students and might not get that special attention they need.”

She says taking her 4-year-old daughter along to the open house and observing her interactions confirmed the family’s decision to choose Glenelg. Says Russell, “You can see in their eyes if they like it.”

Do Your Research

Finding the Right Match

With more than 120 independent schools in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., region, there is an abundance of qualified institutions to fit each child’s needs. To find the right match, it’s important to determine your family’s top priorities in a school, from its price and location to learning style and diversity.

First, it’s a good idea for families to establish a set of basic criteria that they’d like in a potential school. Weigh options such as faith-based or nondenominational, co-ed or single gender, traditional or progressive, large or small, cost, and local, commuting, or boarding programs.

Once the family’s criteria has been established, the next step is prioritizing which elements are most important, for example, a religious framework or the teaching philosophy, since it may not be possible to meet both criteria in a single institution.

With their priorities defined and at top of mind, families can better evaluate a school during admissions events. “Having reviewed the website ahead of time and coming with questions that they can address while they’re here is extremely helpful for parents to make the most effective use of their time while they’re at an open house,” says Karen Wootton, director of admissions at Glenelg Country School.

Located on a 90-acre campus in Ellicott City, the school enrolls students in pre-K through 12th grade.

While cost is a very important factor in a family’s final choice, Wootton suggests parents not cross any schools off their list based on tuition alone.

“Families who need to seek financial aid are sometimes reluctant to share that information from the start because they’re afraid that it might jeopardize or affect somehow the success of their application process,” she says. “The fact of the matter is, it does not. And I don’t know of any independent schools out there that consider whether a family is applying for aid or not in their admission process.”

In Baltimore, the median day school tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year was $23,840, according to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). A third of the region’s more than 46,000 students received financial aid, with the average award for a single student at $13,354. That’s about 56 percent of the average tuition price—and a big difference in affordability for most families. (For more about how to afford a private-school tuition, see our sidebar on footing the bill.)

In fact, Wootton emphasizes the importance of transparency in all aspects of the application process. “It’s important for families to be open about their needs,” she says. “Don’t hide anything from the school, because it’s only to the child’s benefit when the parents and the school work together to make sure that we have all of the information that we need in making sure that it will be a good fit for the student.”

Prioritization allows families to narrow down the serious contenders on their list and focus their efforts during the next step of the school selection process: open houses and visit days.

The First Look

Navigating the Open House

Most Baltimore-area schools hold open houses for prospective families during October and November. Don’t be shy about checking these events out, either, even if your child won’t be applying the same year.

Rossini suggests parents attend open houses the year before they plan to start the application process.

At The Park School, a co-ed, nonsectarian pre-K-12 school in Baltimore County, formal admissions events include tours with principals, open houses, parent interviews and tours, and student visit days. Ranked in the top 10 percent of private K-12 schools in the country by Niche, a website with comprehensive rankings and report cards for schools and neighborhoods across the country, Park was founded in 1912 and is rooted in the progressive educational philosophy of John Dewey. It has 820 students making up its lower, middle, and upper schools.

“Sometimes parents visit a school with specific expectations about what they will see and hear,” says Ruthie Kalvar, director of admissions at Park. “It may close them off to aspects of school life that they never even thought about.” Instead, Kalvar suggests families learn about the school’s philosophy and then look for it in action. At Park, that philosophy includes curriculum devoted to intellectual inquiry, experiential analysis, and collaboration.

“During a visit, we recommend looking for students who are really engaged and thinking, rather than being told what to think, memorizing, and repeating,” says Kalvar. “Your observations and responses to your questions should reveal the opportunities that students have for growth, for individual and collaborative challenges, and for the opportunities they have to develop and pursue passions both inside and outside of the classroom.”

The chance to get on campus, see facilities in person, and meet faculty and staff at an open house may be enough to drop a few options off your list, or push others to the top. But admissions professionals agree it’s just the first step in getting to know a school’s inner workings.

“Stay engaged with the school. Attend events that you are invited to, not only open-house events but musicals, plays, sporting events. Read the school’s newspaper if they have one, and any magazines that are sent home to you,” says Wootton. “Try your best to understand the culture of the school to help you know if it’s the best fit for your child. There are many options out there, just as there are when students are looking at colleges. Each school presents unique qualities that may or may not be the right fit for every child, but just try to do your homework throughout the admissions process.”

Third Base

Completing the Application Process

You’ve made your lists, done your research, and picked your top contenders. Now it’s time for the application process, which wraps up in the winter months of December and January for most local schools.

If your child has his or her heart set on a specific school, do what you can to demonstrate that to the admissions team, both in your application and by attending as many prospective events as possible.

For older children, Glenelg conducts an interview during the shadow day.

“I always enjoy it when the student shares something with me that helps me remember who they are—not just their favorite class in school or what kind of sports they play, but maybe a story that they can tell me about a project that they completed, or a trip they took, or something that is unique about them,” she suggests. Stories like these can help the child stand out in the minds of admissions professionals. “If they can think of something ahead of time to talk about for their interview, that can be very helpful for the student.”

Families that approach the application process with a positive mindset have the most to benefit, says The Park School’s Kalvar.

“You will not only learn about schools and their distinctive features, but you’ll also gain immeasurable insight into your child, your family, and Baltimore, too,” she says. “It’s always interesting to hear opinions about schools, but it’s a good idea for families to remember that people look at schools through different lenses. What feels right for one student and family might not feel right for another. Context is important, and you should set out to gather as much first-hand information as possible.”

Kalvar points to the school’s sense of community as one of the best indicators of a potential fit. “Make sure you feel welcomed and comfortable and that the school understands and appreciates who your child is,” she says. “It’s important to remember that today’s parents must consider what’s possible beyond their own experiences they had in school. Twenty-first century learning requires a different sort of engagement on the part of students. Keep an eye out for schools that are willing to grow and change—and get excited for the new possibilities that lie ahead for your child.”

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Archbishop Curley High School
Lower Open house: 10/27 and 10/28, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
3701 Sinclair Ln. 410-485-5000.
Grades: 9-12, all male. Enrollment: 560. Affiliation: Roman Catholic/Franciscan.

Archbishop Spalding High School
Open house: 10/28, 12-3 p.m.
8080 New Cut Rd. Severn. 410-969-9105.
Grades: 9-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 1,253. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

The Auburn School, Baltimore Campus
Open house: 10/3, 9-11 a.m.
7401 Park Heights Ave. Pikesville. 410-617-0418.
Grades: K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 63. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Baltimore Lab School
Open house: Third Thursday breakfast tour each month 9-10:15 a.m.
2220 St. Paul St. 410-261-5500.
Grades: 1-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 137. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Beth El @ Federal Hill
Open house: Call for tour information. 1530 Battery Ave. 410-528-6001.
Grades: 2-5 years of age, co-ed. Enrollment: 40. Affiliation: Jewish.

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Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School
Lower School Open House: 11/16 and 12/5, 8:45 a.m. Middle School Open House: 11/27, 7 p.m. High School Open House: 11/19, 7 p.m.
3300 Old Court Rd. Pikesville. 410-486-1905.
Grades: 15 months-grade 12, co-ed. Enrollment: 950. Affiliation: Jewish.

The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland
Open House: 10/14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
822 W. Lake Ave. 410-377-5192.
Grades: K-12, all-male. Enrollment: 630. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

The Bryn Mawr School
Open House: 10/21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
109 W. Melrose Ave. 410-323-8800.
Grades: K-12, all-female except co-ed Little School. Enrollment: 678. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Calvert Hall College High School
Open House: 11/11, 12-4 p.m.
8102 La Salle Rd. 410-825-4266.
Grades: 9-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,175. Affiliation: Roman Catholic and Lasallian.

Calvert School
Open House: 10/18, 11/14, 9-11 a.m.
105 Tuscany Rd. 410-243-6054.
Grades: K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 592. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Cambridge School
Open House: 10/15, 9-11 a.m., 10/16, 6:30-8 p.m., 11/5, 9 a.m., 3/7, 9-11 a.m.
110 Sudbrook Ln. Pikesville. 410-486-3686.
Grades: K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 121. Affiliation: Christian.

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The Catholic High School of Baltimore
Open House: 10/20, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
2800 Edison Hwy. 410-732-6200.
Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 320. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Columbia Academy Elementary and Middle School
Open House: Call for times.
10350 Old Columbia Rd. Columbia. 410-312-7413.
Grades: Junior K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 150. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Concordia Preparatory School
Open House: 10/13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
1145 Concordia Dr., Towson. 410-825-2323.
Grades: 6-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 310. Affiliation: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

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Eastern Technical High School
Open House: 10/18, 6-8 p.m.
1100 Mace Ave., Essex. 410-809-0190.
Grades: 9-12, co-ed. Enrollment: approx. 1,181. Affiliation: Non-sectarian, public.

Fork Union Military Academy
Open House: Call for appointment.
4744 James Madison Hwy. Fork Union, Virginia. 1-800-GO-2-FUMA (1-800-462-3862).
Grades: 7-12, and post-grad program, boarding, all-male. Enrollment: approx. 367. Affiliation: Christian.

Friends School of Baltimore
Open House: First Look@Friends: Several dates Oct-Jan, 9-11am.
5114 N. Charles St. 410-649-3200.
Grades: Pre-K-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 803. Affiliation: Quaker.

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Garrison Forest School
Open House: Parent visit days, Lower school: 10/12, 8 -10 a.m.; Middle school: 10/24, 7:45-9:30 a.m.; Upper school: 10/25, 8-10 a.m.
300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills. 410-363-1500.
Grades: Pre-K-12, all-female except co-ed pre-K. Enrollment: 550. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Gilman School
Open House: Call for times, 10/5 through 11/30.
5407 Roland Ave. 410-323-3800.
Grades: K-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,023. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Glenelg Country School
Open House: 10/19, 11/6, 12/5, 9 a.m.
12793 Folly Quarter Rd. Ellicott City. 410-531-8600.
Grades: age 2-grade 12, co-ed. Enrollment: 750. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Greenspring Montessori School
Open House: Call for times.
10807 Tony Dr., Lutherville-Timonium. 410-321-8555.
Grades: 18 months-grade 9, co-ed. Enrollment: 252. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

The Highlands School
Open House: Call to schedule tour.
2409 Creswell Rd. Bel Air. 410-836-1415.
Grades: 1-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 80/rolling admissions. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Harford Day School
Open House: 11/6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
715 Moores Mill Rd. Bel Air. 410-838-4848.
Grades: Pre-K (age 3)-grade 8, co-ed. Enrollment: 300. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Immaculate Conception School
Open House: Middle School: 10/18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Pre-K to Grade 8: 11/8, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
112 Ware Ave., Towson. 410-427-4903.
Grades: Pre-K (age 3)-grade 8, co-ed. Enrollment: 535. Affiliation: Catholic.

Institute of Notre Dame Open House: 11/3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
901 Aisquith St. 410-522-7800.
Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 354. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Jemicy School Open House: Call to schedule tour.
11202 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills (upper school). 11 Celadon Rd., Owings Mills (lower and middle schools) 410-653-2700.
Grades: 1-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 394. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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John Carroll School Open House: 10/27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
703 E. Churchville Rd. Bel Air. 410-879-2480.
Grades: 9-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 659. Affiliation: Catholic.

Krieger Schechter Day School
Open House: 11/28, 7 p.m. Drop-in days: 10/17, 12/12, 1/9, 9 a.m.
8100 Stevenson Rd. 410-486-8640.
Grades: K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 295. Affiliation: Jewish.

Loyola Blakefield
Open House: 10/21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
500 Chestnut Ave., Towson. 410-823-0601.
Grades: 6-12, all-male. Enrollment: 970. Affiliation: Jesuit Catholic

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Maryvale Preparatory School
Upper School: 9/28 and 10/25, 8:30 a.m., Middle School: 10/12 and 11/6, 8:30 a.m.
11300 Falls Rd. Lutherville. 410-252-3366.
Grades: 6-12, all-female. Enrollment: 425. Affiliation: Catholic.

McDonogh School
Upper School: 10/28, 3-5 p.m. Middle School: 10/28, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Lower School: 10/11, 10/24, 11/6, 9 a.m.
8600 McDonogh Rd. Owings Mills. 410-363-0600.
Grades: Pre-K-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 1,384. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Mercersburg Academy
Open House: 10/8, 12/10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
300 E. Seminary St. Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. 717-328-6173.
Grades: 9-12, plus post-grad year, boarding, and day, co-ed. Enrollment: 435. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Mercy High School
Open House: 10/20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
1300 E. Northern Pkwy. 410-433-8880.
Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 350. Affiliation: Catholic.

Mother Seton Academy
Open House: 11/4, 12-3 p.m.
2215 Greenmount Ave. 410-563-2833.
Grades: 6-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 75. Affiliation: Catholic.

Mount de Sales Academy
Open House: 11/4, 12-3 p.m.
700 Academy Rd. Catonsville 410-744-8498.
Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 510. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

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Mount Saint Joseph High School
Open House: 10/28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
4403 Frederick Ave. 410-644-3300.
Grades: 9-12, all-male. Enrollment: 924. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Notre Dame Preparatory School
Open House: 10/13, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
815 Hampton Ln. Towson. 410-825-6202.
Grades: 6-12, all-female. Enrollment: 800. Affiliation: Catholic.

The Odyssey School
Open House: Call for tour times.
3257 Bridle Ridge Ln. Stevenson. 410-580-5551.
Grades: K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 164. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Oldfields School
Open House: 11/12, call for times.
1500 Glencoe Rd. Sparks Glencoe. 410-472-4800.
Grades: 8-12, all-female. Enrollment: 180. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Our Lady of Grace Pre-school
Open House: 9/18, 9-11 a.m.
18310 Middletown Rd. Parkton. 410-329-6956.
Grades: Preschool, co-ed. Enrollment: 35. Affiliation: Catholic.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Open House: Call for times.
1704 Old Eastern Ave. Essex. 410-686-4972.
Grades: Pre-K-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 502. Affiliation: Catholic.

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
Open House: 10/17, 10 a.m.; 11/14, 10. a.m.; 12/6, 7 p.m.
4801 Ilchester Rd. Ellicott City. 410-744-4251.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 240. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic School
Open House: 11/16, 9-11 a.m.
4416 Wilkens Ave. 410-242-3688.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed Enrollment: 194. Affiliation: Catholic.

The Park School of Baltimore
Open House: Call for times.
2425 Old Court Rd. 410-339-7070.
Grades: Pre-K-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 822. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Pauline Mash School for Early Childhood Education
Open House: Call for tour information.
8101 Park Heights Ave. 410-602-2245.
Grades: 8 weeks-5 years of age, co-ed. Enrollment: 120. Affiliation: Jewish.

Peabody Preparatory Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Open House: Call for times.
21 E. Mount Vernon Pl. 667-208-6640.
Grades: Music and dance instruction for all ages and abilities, co-ed. Enrollment: Approx. 2,000 per week at four locations. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Redeemer Classical Christian School
Open House: 11/1, 6:30-8 p.m.
6415 Mount Vista Rd. Kingsville. 410-592-9625.
Grades: Pre-K-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 250. Affiliation: Christian.

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Roland Park Country School
Open House: Middle/upper school: 10/14, 1-4 p.m. Lower school: Several dates October-January, 8:30-10 a.m., call for dates.
5204 Roland Ave. 410-323-5500.
Grades: Pre-K-12, all-female except co-ed preschool. Enrollment: 610. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

St. Francis of Assisi School
Open House: 10/6, 12-2 p.m.
3617 Harford Rd. 410-467-1683.
Grades: Pre- K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 260. Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

St. James Academy
Open House: 11/15, 9-10:30 a.m. Coffee with headmaster: 11/29, 12/5, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
3100 Monkton Rd. Monkton. 410-568-7573.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 300. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

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Saint James School
Open House: 10/20, 1/21, call for times.
17641 College Road, Hagerstown. 301-733-9330.
Grades: 8-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 238. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

St. John’s Parish Day School
Open House: Call for times.
9130 Frederick Rd. Ellicott City. 410-465-7644.
Grades: Age 3-grade 5, co-ed. Enrollment: 350. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

St. Mark School
Open House: 10/8, 11/12, 9-11 a.m.; 1/29, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; 3/14, 9-11 a.m.; 4/16, 1-3 p.m.; 5/1, 9-11 a.m. 26 Melvin Ave. Catonsville. 410-744-6560.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 340. Affiliation: Catholic.

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St. Paul’s School

Open House: Upper School: 10/4, 11/8, 12/6, 8:45-10:15 a.m., Middle School: 10/2, 10/23, 11/13, 12/4, 8:45-10:15 a.m., Lower School: 10/16, 9-11 a.m.
11152 Falls Rd. Brooklandville. 410-823-0061.
Grades: Pre-K-4, lower school is co-ed. Grades: 5-12, middle/upper school is all-male. Enrollment: 758. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

St. Paul’s School for Girls
Parent information sessions: Upper School: 10/23; middle school: 10/26; Joint middle and upper school open house: 11/7.
11232 Falls Rd. Brooklandville. 410-632-1082.
Grades: Infants-grade 4, co-ed; 5-12, all-female. Enrollment: 444. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

St. Timothy’s School
Open House: 10/20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
8400 Greenspring Ave. Stevenson. 410-486-7401.
Grades: 9-12, boarding and day, all-female. Enrollment: 200. Affiliation: Episcopalian.

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St. Ursula School
Open House: 11/16, 8:30-11 a.m., 1/27, 1-3 p.m.
8900 Harford Rd. Parkville. 410-665-3533.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 639. Affiliation: Catholic.

St. Pius X School
Open House: Call for times.
6432 York Rd. 410-427-7400.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 170. Affiliation: Catholic.

Sandy Spring Friends School
Open House: 10/14, 1-3:30 p.m.; 5/21, 8:15-11 a.m.
16923 Norwood Rd. Sandy Spring. 301-774-7455.
Grades: Pre-K-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 575. Affiliation: Quaker.

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The School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

Open House: 10/9, 11/16, 1/29, 4/16, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
111 Amberly Way. 410-464-4100.
Grades: K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 377. Affiliation: Catholic.

Severn School (now merged with Chesapeake Academy)
Open House: Call for times.
1185 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Arnold (lower school) and 201 Water St., Severna Park (middle/upper school). 410-647-7700.
Grades: Pre-K-12, co-ed. Enrollment: 844. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

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Shady Side Academy Senior School
Open House. Call for times.
423 Fox Chapel Rd. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 412-968-3000.
Grades: 9-12, co-ed, day and boarding. Enrollment: 460. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Springdale Preparatory School
Open House: Call for Times.
1000 Green Valley Rd. New Windsor. 855-405-8600.
Grades: 5-12, day and boarding, co-ed. Enrollment: TBA. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

Trinity School
Open House: All grades: 10/12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; kingergarten: 11/8, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; all grades: 11/11, 11 a.m. after 10 a.m. mass; 12/6, all grades: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
4985 Ilchester Rd. Ellicott City. 443-498-5040.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 350. Affiliation: Catholic.

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Waldorf School of Baltimore
Open House: Call for times.
4801 Tamarind Rd. 410-367-6808.
Grades: Pre-K-8, co-ed. Enrollment: 133. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

West Nottingham Academy
Open House: Call for times.
1079 Firetower Rd. Colora. 410-658-5556.
Grades: 9-12, day and boarding, co-ed. Enrollment: 130. Affiliation: Non-sectarian.

But the Bolton Hill residents began by looking inward. “Going through the school search process was really insightful,” says Levenson. “It forced us to think about our core values and priorities as parents and balance lots of competing interests—our beliefs in public education, but also age-appropriate learning, as well as financial and logistical concerns.”

They decided a progressive curriculum was important, one that incorporated the arts and lots of time spent outside. They also put an emphasis on a sense of community among parents and school administrators, and a convenient location to their home and the Bolton Hill daycare attended by their younger daughter, Ellie.

They knew what they wanted: Now it was time to get into the schools and learn more.

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Getting Started

Prioritize values and visit schools

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There are more than 120 independent schools in the Baltimore-Washington area and more than 30 in the greater Baltimore area. With so many options, finding the right fit is no simple task.

By visiting schools in person, asking questions, and talking with current students and parents, it’s easier to get a sense of which schools align best with your family’s needs. The best place to start? The open house.

Held each year in the fall, open houses make a great entry point to learn more about independent schools that sound like potential matches for your child. You should visit open houses the fall before you plan to enroll your child in a new school.

Some schools open for a few hours for families to come and go, tour facilities, and meet the admissions team, while others organize full-day programs that include talks by the head of school or admissions counselors and require advanced registration. Still others offer a suite of admissions experiences covering topics such as affording a private-school education and hearing from a panel of young alumni about how the school contributed to their success.

Before open house season, it’s important to prioritize your desires for an independent school into must-haves and nice-to-haves, along with anything you don’t care about or want to avoid in a school.

Armed with this information, the next step is finding schools that sound like potential fits based on the information you can easily glean from websites, admissions brochures, and word of mouth. These are likely the handful of schools you’ll want to learn more about by visiting in person.

Levenson and Kucskar explored at least 10 different options for their daughter before choosing The GreenMount School, a coed K-8 school with about 100 students tucked away in Remington. “The process was long and draining,” Levenson says. “But ultimately, we felt confident that GreenMount was the right fit for our family because of the progressive curriculum, small size, supportive community, and proximity to downtown.”

The GreenMount School got its start in 1993, thanks to six adventurous parents devoted to a model focused on child-centered education. The school offers several opportunities each year for prospective families to get to know the school better, including group and private tours, open houses, play dates, and shadow days.

“Parents should take time to look for several things during their visit to the school,” says admissions director Laura Marsico. “While touring, observe the way students and adults interact with each other—respectful, kind, and encouraging interactions are key,” she says. “If the timing seems right, engage a student or faculty member in a conversation: What do they love about The GreenMount School? As you tour, think, ‘Does the school’s mission and philosophy come shining through?’”

The school’s mission is to provide creative, experience-based education in a community of families invested in their children’s education, and that fit Levenson and Kucskar’s wish list.

“Figure out what is important to your family before you begin your search, and then use that information as your guidepost,” says Levenson. “When we began this process, we knew very little about GreenMount, but we knew how important a developmentally appropriate education and supportive community were to us. We were tempted by other schools that offered extras that seemed appealing, like foreign language instruction, but ultimately chose the school that best aligned with our core values.”

Most importantly, have faith in each step of the process. “It takes time to figure this out—you may not know what the right choice is in November when you’re applying, but the process will help you,” Levenson says.

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Make Cuts

Narrow down your choices and plan visit days

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The open house should give you a sense of the mission and environment of each school. With this in mind, you should be able to narrow your prospective list down to the handful that make the most sense for your family.

Feel free to reach out to an admissions counselor for a meeting or phone call, and set up a shadow day for your child or observation day for your family, depending on your child’s age.

Make sure you take note of all application deadlines and schedule any necessary standardized tests and interviews required by schools where you may be applying.

“We made the calls, asked the questions, and scheduled appointments with the appropriate people so that we could really digest what was at the core of each school,” says Catherine Chasen, who went through the school search process last fall with her husband, Brandon, for their son, Brandon Jr. “We visited each prospective school three separate times, and while it was exhausting, I’m so grateful we did, because we felt very confident in our final choice.”

It was the family’s first time going through the private-school selection process, and Chasen says there were some surprises along the way. “In the beginning, we were leaning toward a single-sex education environment,” she explains.

But after reflecting on their educational priorities and visiting several schools, the Phoenix-based family decided the coeducational environment at the Calvert School in North Baltimore was the best fit for Brandon, the oldest of three sons.

Located near The Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus in Tuscany-Canterbury, Calvert School is a nondenominational coed school focusing on creative thinking and character building for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

It also provides an innovative solution for families interested in same-sex education. “Calvert School blends the best practices of single-sex and coeducation in our unique approach to teaching and learning,” says Calvert School admissions director Nicole Webster. “We are a coeducational environment, but single-sex homerooms, classes, and advisories allow us to capture many of the benefits of single-sex education as well.”

It took three visits to each school for the Chasens to feel like they had a firm grasp on the environment. “On our first visit to each school, we met with the admissions head, then did a general tour with other parents at the schools’ designated open house days, and then went back for Brandon’s testing day,” Chasen recalls. “People usually just do the open house and then a testing day, but we had an extra meeting so we could get some more personal questions answered.”

Multiple trips give you the chance to see the school and its students, teachers, and administrators in many scenarios. Once you’re on campus, Webster at Calvert School suggests families observe with an open mind. “Enjoy your time there. Speak with the current students, as they are the truest reflection of a school and its learning environment. Are these students excited to talk about their school? Are they comfortable speaking with prospective parents? Ask them what they love most about being there. Their enthusiasm and personal stories speak volumes.”

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The Final Decision

Go with your gut

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At this point, you’ve gone to the open house, had a tour, and asked questions of admissions. What’s left? It’s a good idea to go beyond the typical admissions events to get a deeper sense of the schools to which your child will be applying. Attending events open to the public, such as a football game or theater production, can offer a unique glimpse into school spirit and culture without the hard sell of admissions.

“Following a school’s social media, like Instagram or Facebook, is a great way to view photos and video clips from events and activities around campus,” Webster says. “They can help provide you with real insight into the day-to-day happenings and personality of a school.”

Another good resource? Other parents. “They are an excellent resource and, like the students, are able to share personal experiences,” Webster adds. “If you don’t know parents at a particular school, the admission office can help connect you with current parents who might live in your neighborhood, have similar interests, or have children of a similar age.”

No matter how much you prepare, the independent-school selection process can be overwhelming.

“Trust the admission process,” Webster says. “At the end of the day, as parents, we want our child to be in an environment where he or she will thrive academically and emotionally and grow to be the best version of themselves that they can be. As admission professionals, we want the same.”

The Chasens took solace in knowing that there was more than one place where their son would thrive. “While it can be very overwhelming, especially if you’re looking at multiple schools, it’s important to see the big picture,” Chasen says. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the politics of what’s popular among other families, so stay focused on trying to find the right fit for your child. Baltimore is a unique place in that it is so saturated with high-quality schools, so narrow the search down to a few and go after it knowing you are in good hands in so many places.”

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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, is printed directly after the name of each school.

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Archbishop Curley High School

Open house: 10/26 and 10/27, 10 a.m.-noon. 3701 Sinclair Ln. 410-485-5000. archbishopcurley.org. Grades: 9-12, all male. Enrollment: 560. Affiliation: Roman Catholic/Franciscan

Archbishop Spalding High School

Open house: 10/27, 12 p.m. 8080 New Cut Rd., Severn. 410-969-9105. archbishpspaulding.org. Grades: 9-12, coed. Enrollment: 1,253. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

The Auburn School, Baltimore Campus

Open house: Call for times. 7401 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville. 410-617-0418. theauburnschool.org. Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 65. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Baltimore Lab School

Open house: Third Thursday breakfast tour each month, 9-10:15 a.m. 2220 St. Paul St. 410-261-5500. baltimorelabschool.org. Grades: 1-12, coed. Enrollment: 137. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Beth El @ Federal Hill

Open house: Call for tour information. 1530 Battery Ave. 410-528-6001. bethelbalto.com. Grades: 2-5 years of age, coed. Enrollment: 40. Affiliation: Jewish

Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School

High school open house: 11/14, 7 p.m. Middle school open house: 11/19, 7 p.m. Lower school open house: 11/7, 8:45 a.m. 3300 Old Court Rd., Pikesville. 410-486-1905. bethtfiloh.com. Grades: 15 months-grade 12, coed. Enrollment: 775. Affiliation: Jewish

The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland

Open house: 12/5, 8:30-10 a.m. 822 W. Lake Ave. 410-377-5192. boyslatinmd.com. Grades: K-12, all-male. Enrollment: 630. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

The Bryn Mawr School

Open house: 11/2, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 109 W. Melrose Ave. 410-323-8800. brynmawrschool.org. Grades: K-12, all-female except coed The Little School. Enrollment: 678. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Calvert Hall College High School

Open house: 11/13, noon-3 p.m. 8102 La Salle Rd. 410-825-4266. calverthall.com. Grades: 9-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,175. Affiliation: Roman Catholic and Lasallian

Calvert School

Open house: 9/25, 10/3, 10/16, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. 105 Tuscany Rd. 410-243-6054. calvertschoolmd.org. Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 598. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Cambridge School

Open house: Call for times. 6200 N. Charles St. 410-486-3686. cambridgeschool.org. Grades: k-8, coed. Enrollment: 121. Affiliation: Christian

The Catholic High School of Baltimore

Open house: 10/19, 9 a.m.-noon. 2800 Edison Hwy. 410-732-6200. thecatholichighschool.org. Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 320. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

Columbia Academy Elementary and Middle School

Open house: 10/26, call for times. 10350 Old Columbia Rd., Columbia. 410-312-7413. columbiaacademy.com. Grades: Junior K-8, coed. Enrollment: 138. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Concordia Preparatory School

Open house: 10/12, 10 a.m.-noon. 1145 Concordia Dr., Towson. 410-825-2323. concordiaprepschool.org. Grades: 6-12, coed. Enrollment: 310. Affiliation: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

Eastern Technical High School

Open house: 10/17, 6-8 p.m. 1100 Mace Ave., Essex. 410-809-0190. easterntechhs.bcps.org. Grades: 9-12, coed. Enrollment: Approx. 1,174. Affiliation: Non-sectarian, public

Fork Union Military Academy

Open house: Call for appointment. 4744 James Madison Hwy., Fork Union, VA. 1-800-GO-2-FUMA (1-800-462-3862). forkunion.com. Grades: 7-12, and post-grad program, boarding, all-male. Enrollment: Approx. 367. Affiliation: Christian

Notre Dame Preparatory School

Open house: 10/12, 8:30 a.m.-noon. 815 Hampton Ln., Towson. 410-825-6202. Notredameprep.com. Grades: 6-12, all-female. Enrollment: 800. Affiliation: Catholic

The Odyssey School

Open house: Call for times. 3257 Bridle Ridge Ln., Stevenson. 410-580-5551. theodysseyschool.org. Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 162. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Oldfields School

Open house: 9/28, 11/11, call for times. 1500 Glencoe Rd., Sparks Glencoe. 410-472-4800. oldfieldsschool.org. Grades: 8-12, all-female. Enrollment: 120. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Our Lady of Grace Pre-school

Open house: Call for times. 18310 Middletown Rd., Parkton. 410-329-6956. olgs.org. Grades: Preschool, coed. Enrollment: 35. Affiliation: Catholic

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Open house: Call for times. 1704 Old Eastern Ave., Essex. 410-686-4972. olmcmd.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 532. Affiliation: Catholic

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

Open house: Call for times. 4801 Ilchester Rd., Ellicott City. 410-744-4251. olphschool.org. Grades: Pre-K-grade 8, coed. Enrollment: 240. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

Our Lady of Victory Catholic School

Open house: 11/8, 9:30-11 a.m. 4416 Wilkens Ave. 410-242-3688. olvmd.org. Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 194. Affiliation: Catholic

The Park School of Baltimore

Open house: Call for times. 2425 Old Court Rd. 410-339-7070. parkschool.net. Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 811. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Pauline Mash School for Early Childhood Educationoth

Open house: Call for tour information. 8101 Park Heights Ave. 410-484-0411. bethelbalto.com. Grades: 8 weeks-5 years of age, coed. Enrollment: 120. Affiliation: Jewish

Friends School of Baltimore

Open house: 9/25, 9-11 a.m., 10/22, 11/14, 9-11 a.m. 5114 N. Charles St. 410-649-3200. friendsbalt.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 830. Affiliation: Quaker

Garrison Forest School

Lower school open house: 10/11, 8 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Middle school open house: 10/16, 7:45-9:30 a.m. Upper school open house: 10/17, 8-10 a.m. 300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills. 410-363-1500. gfs.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, all-female except coed Pre-K. Enrollment: 550. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Gerstell Academy

Open house: 10/12, 11/24, 1 p.m., 12/13, 11 a.m. 2500 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg. 410-861-3000. gerstell.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 400. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Gilman School

Middle and upper school open house: 10/26, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 5407 Roland Ave. 410-323-3800. gilman.edu. Grades: K-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,020. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Glenelg Country School

Open house: 10/18, 11/5, 12/4, 9 a.m. 12793 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City. 410-531-8600. glenelg.org. Grades: Age 2-grade 12, coed. Enrollment: 750. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Greenspring Montessori School

Open house: Call for times. 10807 Tony Dr., Lutherville-Timonium. 410-321-8555. greenspringmontessori.org. Grades: 18 months-grade 9, coed. Enrollment: 260. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Harford Day School

Open house: 10/18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Middle school preview: 11/4, call for times. 715 Moores Mill Rd., Bel Air. 410-838-4848. Harfordday.org. Grades: Pre-k (age 3)-grade 8, coed. Enrollment: 295. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Hargrave Military Academy

Open house: Call for times. 200 Military Dr., Chatham, VA.1-800-432-2480. Hargrave.edu Grades: 7-12 plus post-graduate for boys. Enrollment: 140. Affiliation: Baptist

The Highlands School

Open house: Call to schedule tour. 2409 Creswell Rd., Bel Air. 410-836-1415. highlandsschool.net. Grades: K-12, coed. Enrollment: 92/rolling admissions. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Hunt Valley Country Day School

Open house: Call for times. 200 A Lakefront Dr., Hunt Valley. 410-329-9867. Hvcountryday.com. Grades: Ages 2-5 years, coed. Enrollment: N/A. Affiliation: Non-sectarian, nature-based early childhood program

Immaculate Conception School

Middle school open house: 10/17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Annual open house: 11/7, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 112 Ware Ave., Towson. 410-427-4801. theimmaculate.org. Grades: Pre-K (age 3) through grade 8, coed. Enrollment: 535. Affiliation: Catholic

Institute of Notre Dame

Open house: Call for times. 901 Aisquith St. 410-522-7800. indofmd.org. Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 354. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

Jemicy School

Open house: Call to schedule tour. 11202 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills (upper school). 11 Celadon Rd., Owings Mills (lower and middle schools). 410-653-2700. jemicyschool.org. Grades: 1-12, coed. Enrollment: 405. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

John Carroll School

Open house: 11/2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 703 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air. 410-879-2480. johncarroll.org. Grades: 9-12, coed. Enrollment: 659. Affiliation: Catholic

Krieger Schechter Day School

Open house: Info session and tours 10/17, 12/4, 1/9, 9 a.m. 8100 Stevenson Rd. 410-486-8640. ksds.edu. Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 295. Affiliation: Jewish

Loyola Blakefield

Open house: 10/20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 500 Chestnut Ave., Towson. 410-823-0601. loyolablakefield.org. Grades: 6-12, all-male. Enrollment: 1,000. Affiliation: Jesuit Catholic

Maryvale Preparatory School

Upper school open house: 10/4 and 11/5, 8:30 a.m. Middle School open house: 10/17 and 12/5, 8:30 a.m. 11300 Falls Rd., Lutherville. 410-252-3366. maryvale.com. Grades: 6-12, all-female. Enrollment: 380. Affiliation: Catholic

McDonogh School

Lower school open house: 10/10, 10/23, 11/5, 9 a.m. Middle school open house: 10/27, 12:30 p.m. Upper school open house: 10/27, 3 p.m. 8600 McDonogh Rd., Owings Mills. 410-363-0600. Mcdonogh.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 1,398. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Mercersburg Academy

Open house: 10/19, 12/16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 100 Academy Dr., Mercersburg, PA. 717-328-6173. mercersburg.edu/openhouse. Grades: 9-12, plus post-grad year, boarding and day, coed. Enrollment: 442. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Mercy High School

Open house: 10/19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 1300 E. Northern Pkwy. 410-433-8880. mercyhighschool.com. Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 328. Affiliation: Catholic

Mother Seton Academy

Open house: 11/3, 12-3 p.m. 2215 Greenmount Ave. 410-563-2833. mothersetonacademy.org. Grades: 6-8, coed. Enrollment: 75. Affiliation: Catholic

Mount de Sales Academy

Open house: 11/3, 12-3 p.m. 700 Academy Rd., Catonsville. 410-744-8498. mountdesalesacademy.org. Grades: 9-12, all-female. Enrollment: 510. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

Mount Saint Joseph High School

Open house: Call for times. 4403 Frederick Ave. 410-644-3300. msjnet.edu. Grades: 9-12, all-male. Enrollment: 924. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

Peabody Preparatory

Preparatory Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

Open house: Call for times. 21 E. Mount Vernon Pl. 667-208-6640. peabody.jhu.edu. Grades: Music and dance instruction for all ages and abilities, coed. Enrollment: Approx. 2,000 per week at four locations. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Redeemer Classical Christian School

Open house: 11/7, 6:30 p.m. 6415 Mount Vista Rd., Kingsville. 410-592-9625. rccs.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 234. Affiliation: Christian

Roland Park Country School

Middle/upper school open house: 9/25, 4-5 p.m. Lower school open house: 10/4, 10/30, 8:30-10 a.m. 5204 Roland Ave. 410-323-5500. rpcs.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, all-female except coed preschool. Enrollment: 579. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

St. Francis of Assisi School

Open house: Call for times. 3617 Harford Rd. 410-467-1683. sfa-school.org. Grades: Pre-K-8. Enrollment: 260, coed. Affiliation: Roman Catholic

St. James Academy

Open house: 11/20, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 3100 Monkton Rd., Monkton. 410-568-7573. saintjamesacademy.org. Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 300. Affiliation: Episcopalian

Saint James School

Open house: 10/19, call for times. 17641 College Rd., Hagerstown. 301-733-9330. stjames.edu. Grades: 8-12, coed. Enrollment: 230. Affiliation: Episcopalian

St. John’s Parish Day School

Open house: Call for times. 9130 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. 410-465-7644. Stjohnspds.org. Grades: Age 3-grade 5, coed. Enrollment: 350. Affiliation: Episcopalian

St. Mark School

Open house: Call for times. 26 Melvin Ave., Catonsville. 410-744-6560. stmark-school.org. Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 340. Affiliation: Catholic

St. Paul’s School

Upper school open house: 10/10, 11/12, call for times. Middle school open house: 10/23, 11/20, call for times 11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville. 410-825-4400. stpaulsschool.org. Grades: Pre-K-4, lower school is coed. Grades: 5-12, middle/upper school is all-male. Enrollment: 575. Affiliation: Episcopalian

St. Paul’s School for Girls

Upper school open house: 10/18, 11/3, 11/19. Middle school open house: 10/22, 11/13. 11232 Falls Rd., Brooklandville. 410-823-6323. spsfg.org. Grades: Infants-grade 4, coed; 5-12, all-female. Enrollment: 475. Affiliation: Episcopalian

St. Pius X School

Open house: Call for times. 6432 York Rd. 410-427-7400. stpius10school.org. Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 145. Affiliation: Catholic

St. Timothy’s School

Open house: 10/14, 11/11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., or 2-4 p.m. 11/2, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 8400 Greenspring Ave., Stevenson. 410-486-7401. stt.org. Grades: 9-12, boarding and day, all-female. Enrollment: 200. Affiliation: Episcopalian

St. Ursula School

Open house: Call for times. 8900 Harford Rd., Parkville. 410-665-3533. stursula.org. Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 626. Affiliation: Catholic

Sandy Spring Friends School

Open house: 10/20, 1-3:30 p.m. 16923 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring. 301-774-7455. ssfs.org. Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 622. Affiliation: Quaker

The School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

Open house: 10/15, 11/12, 8:30-11:30 a.m. 111 Amberly Way. 410-464-4100. schoolofthecathedral.org. Grades: K-8, coed. Enrollment: 340. Affiliation: Catholic

Severn School

Now merged with Chesapeake Academy

Lower school open house: 10/17, call for times. 1185 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Arnold. Middle and upper school open house: 11/6, call for times. 201 Water St., Severna Park. 410-647-7700 (Chesapeake campus). Grades: Pre-K-12, coed. Enrollment: 850. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Shady Side Academy Senior School

Open house: 10/19, 11 a.m., 12/5, 6 p.m. 423 Fox Chapel Rd., Pittsburgh, PA. 412-968-3000. shadysideacademy.org. Grades: 9-12, coed, day and boarding. Enrollment: 442. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Springdale Preparatory School

Open house: Call for times. 1000 Green Valley Rd., New Windsor. 855-405-8600. springdaleps.org. Grades: 5-12, day and boarding, coed. Enrollment: n/a. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Tong Le Montessori School

Open house: Call for times, 805 E Fayette St., Ste. 100. 410-929-1628. tonglemontessori.com. Grades: Ages 6 weeks through 6 years. Enrollment: 35. Affiliation: Non-sectarian Mandarin Chinese immersion program

Trinity School

Open house: 11/14, 12/5, 9:30 a.m. 1/26, 11:30 a.m. 4985 Ilchester Rd., Ellicott City. 443-498-5040 trinityschoolmd.org. Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 320. Affiliation: Catholic

Waldorf School of Baltimore

Open house: Call for times. 4801 Tamarind Rd. 410-367-6808. waldorfschoolofbaltimore.org. Grades: Pre-K-8, coed. Enrollment: 153. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

West Nottingham Academy

Open house: Call for times. 1079 Firetower Rd., Colora. 410-658-5556. wna.org. Grades: 9-12, day and boarding, coed. Enrollment: 130. Affiliation: Non-sectarian

Last week, the Archdiocese of Baltimore announced that it would be opening a new school in the city for the first time in more than 50 years. With a decline in enrollment and budget concerns causing three schools to shutter their doors in 2016, and two others to merge, the prospect of a new school might come as a surprise, but it’s all part of a larger plan.

The Cardinal Keller Regional Community School (CKRCS) is set to open in time for the 2020-2021 school year at Lexington Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard in West Baltimore. The new state-of-the-art building will be more than 66,000 square feet, will have a capacity to hold 500 students, and will include new 21st century technology including a STEM lab and media center. So far, the archdiocese has raised $13 million towards the $18.5 million goal to open the co-ed school that will serve pre-k through eighth grade. 

“Catholic education is alive and well in the City of Baltimore, and we do a phenomenal job of educating children,” said Jim Sellinger, chancellor for the archdiocese. “The Cardinal Keller School will be a landmark that will serve students in Baltimore City that have not had access to a non-public school for many years.”

The erection of a new school is just one piece of the archdiocese’s “master plan,” according to Sellinger, which comes at a price tag of $120 million. The remaining funds will be invested in the 44 existing Catholic schools under the archdiocese. 

Under the leadership of Archbishop William Lori and through a partnership with University of Maryland Baltimore, BioPark, and the Southwest Partnership, CKRCS is part of a joint effort to reinvest in the West Baltimore community. 

“We looked at the west side of Baltimore because we need to be present in that area,” he said. “With all the revitalization work being done, we know that a Catholic school is a critical component to bringing stability and growth to that community.”

Sellinger believes that this couldn’t come at a more perfect time, following the unrest from 2015 and the increased poverty and homicide rates in that area. While the school will draw students from East and West Baltimore, its immediate focus area will include the Lexington Terrace, Poppleton, and Hollins Market neighborhoods, where most students live below the poverty line with families that have a low high school graduation rates.

The financial commitment that is required to send a child to Catholic school is also a common deterrent for families from low-income households, but for the past three years, the archdiocese has been able to help those families through a program created by Gov. Larry Hogan called Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST). The program is designed to provide assistance for thousands of Maryland students from low-income families who receive state-funded vouchers to attend private schools.

“I look at this like the three legs of a stool,” Sellinger said. “We’ve got parishes in West Baltimore, Catholic Charities, and now we’ll have a Catholic school. So, all three legs of the stool will be there to support the west side.”

With three children who have been through the independent-school application process, Susan Miller and her husband, Scott, have become veterans of the school selection and admission ritual. Their youngest child, 15-year-old Jack, entered the ninth grade at Loyola Blakefield this fall. But the Millers’ history with independent schooling goes back 14 years, to when their oldest son, Bryan, now 21 and studying at the University of South Carolina, started kindergarten at The School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

Susan, a product of public schools, and her husband, who attended Catholic school as a child, decided on Cathedral for their son after looking at Immaculate Conception School and Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet, as well as local public schools, and based the decision on a combination of price, location, academics, religion, and facilities.

But before starting the selection process, parents must make another important decision: whether independent schooling is right for their child.

“I recommend that parents start by thinking about what their child needs in a school,” says Myra McGovern, National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) spokesperson. “Would the child do best in a small, close-knit community, or in a community with a larger circle of friends and acquaintances? Does he or she have special interests that you’d like to nurture or challenges that you’d like to address?”

Luckily, Baltimore has diverse educational options for every type of child. About 11,400 students attended 19 independent schools in the greater Baltimore area for the 2013-2014 school year, according to NAIS. And despite a roughly 4 percent student population decline in Baltimore City since 2010, about a quarter of independent schools in the greater Baltimore area have seen enrollment growth during that time.

Once Bryan was happy at Cathedral—and the parents were convinced, too—the Millers’ decision to also enroll their two younger children, Sarah and Jack, was easy. But the bigger challenge came when Bryan reached fifth grade and began the search for middle school. Although the family visited open houses for several schools, including St. Paul’s School and The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland, Bryan’s interest in Loyola Blakefield came from another area, club sports, since he’d played in practices and games there.

But despite his familiarity with the school, the Millers pushed their son to visit other schools and shadow at Loyola before making the final decision.

Shadowing, when a prospective student accompanies a current student for all or part of a school day, is one step in the selection process that admission directors recommend families begin a year in advance.

Why start so early? Although many families will form opinions about schools before it’s time to start the formal application process, it’s a good idea to begin with an open mind. Look at school websites so you’ll know which open houses you want to attend in the spring.

“An open house is an introduction,” says Ron Goldblatt, executive director of the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools (AIMS). Because open houses are often on the weekends, it’s a convenient time for working parents to learn more about a school. But because you don’t see the school in action, open houses alone aren’t enough to make a decision. Rather, he says, the events are a chance to ask, “‘Have I heard enough to want to follow up?’ It’s merely a scratching of the surface.”

Shadow days provide hands-on insight for the prospective student, which can give parents an idea of how their child will fit into the school’s culture. The best way for parents to get a genuine feel for a school is to sit in on classes, Goldblatt recommends.

A typical school visit may include a tour, meeting some students, and conversations with teachers and administrators, but there are other ways to get a feel for the day-to-day environment. “Get off the beaten path and go unscripted,” says Goldblatt, former headmaster of The Key School in Annapolis. “Suggest to the admissions office, ‘I’d like to spend a half hour in the halls, sit in a class you didn’t choose.’”

While not all schools may be able to accommodate the request, it’s a good way to see the school in action.

When choosing a middle school for their daughter, Sarah, the Millers looked for a close-knit school that would provide individual support. After looking at several schools, they decided on St. Paul’s School for Girls, a private school for girls grades 5 through 12, from which Sarah graduated in the spring, before heading off to Elon University.

It was the special learning programs offered by St. Paul’s that made the school the right fit. “St. Paul’s has a learning specialist that has been a godsend to us,” says Miller. The individual attention helped her daughter thrive at the school, and diverse programs, like a choir trip to Ireland in her junior year, gave her memories she’ll never forget.

“St. Paul’s was a very nurturing school. The girls are all giggling in the halls—she loved it.”

Although many parents let the final decision rest with their older children, finding the right match isn’t so easy with young children who can’t make the decision on their own.

Dawn Cofiell, the mother of three children—Donovan, age 7, Brayden, age 6, and Kaitlyn, age 4—instead asked lots of questions and got to know the teachers and administrators of the school she was considering for kindergarten, St. Ursula School, which offers coeducation from pre-K through eighth grade.

To choose the best kindergarten, Cofiell attended open houses and classroom visits. Two major factors in her decision were price and continuity—she wanted all three children to attend the same school and avoid multiple school transitions before high school—as well as religion and the quality of the instruction.

Another important factor was academics—Cofiell wants her children to be prepared for rigorous high schools. “A lot of kids that graduate [from St. Ursula] go to Calvert Hall [College High School], Loyola, those kinds of schools. They mold them for where they’re going to go eventually,” she says. “I don’t want to look back and say, ‘I wish I would have.’ You only get one chance.”

Acing Admissions
Tips from Gilman’s director of admissions.

Applying to independent schools is a process—there’s much more to it than simply calling up the school and enrolling your child.

“It’s certainly an assumption we all get at independent schools,” says Bill Gamper, director of admissions and financial aid at Gilman School. “The process at many of the schools is similar, but it’s rarely the same.”

Gamper recommends that families begin the admissions process the spring before the application cycle, when admissions offices will be less busy and a tour can be arranged. “In the early fall, the family should begin the process in earnest and try to have all aspects complete before the holidays roll around,” says Gamper.

And who should make the final decision, the child or the parent? “For early ages, the parents are and should be the decision-makers. They know their child and they can discern what might be the best fit,” says Gamper. “When you’re getting into high school, many parents simply leave the decision to their 14-year-old.” For this reason, Gilman educates the prospective high school student as much, if not more, than the parent.

Beginning with middle school, peers play a larger role in a child’s choices. While children often want to remain with their current friends, “A student ought to be mindful of what’s best for him,” says Gamper. “Saying that to a 14-year-old is not always simple.”

Shadow days help older children see how they would fit into the school’s culture. “We feel strongly that an applicant should shadow,” says Gamper.

The often-lengthy admissions process (Gilman requires Independent School Entrance Exam test scores, teacher referral forms, transcripts from the current school, and parent and teacher interviews) is as much to see how your child will fit at the school as it is to see if the school is a fit for your child.

For Gamper, it all boils down to finding the right place. “That’s what families have got to do: recognize that their children are going to find the place where they’re going to be the most successful in an environment conducive to their strengths and supportive of their weaknesses,” he says.

And rejection sometimes has more to do with the space available than it does with how well the child would do at the school. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a few options you’ll be happy with.

Luckily, Baltimore has plenty of schools to choose from.

Facing the Financing
Funding an independent-school education.

With the median Baltimore-area day-school tuition ringing in at $23,846 for the 2013-2014 school year, there’s more for parents to worry about than the application.

Financing an independent school education is a daunting task. But schools are adding more programs to assist parents and deserving children.

Last year, more than 32.3 percent of Baltimore-area students received financial aid, with a median award of $4,100. Since offerings vary by school, check with the financial-aid office during the application process.

Don’t think you’ll qualify? “It doesn’t hurt to apply,” says Tom Travers, director of financial aid at St. Paul’s School for Girls. “Communicate with the school’s admissions office to determine if there are any merit-based scholarships available for their application.” St. Paul’s School for Girls offers two different types of academic scholarships, available at the middle and upper school levels.

Since most schools have a very limited financial-aid budget, it’s important to turn in all application materials on time.

At St. Paul’s School for Girls, about 30 percent of the students receive financial aid, and the awards range from 10 to 95 percent of total tuition, depending on the need.

Schools are committed to helping families afford independent education. Some members of the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools (AIMS) offer low-interest loans or partner with financial agencies to provide interest-subsidized loan programs.

Most Baltimore-area schools offer options that make paying the bill easier, regardless of financial need. St. Paul’s School for Girls has an interest-free monthly payment plan (after a one-time fee of $75), which many families find more affordable than a lump payment.

Parental Guidelines
The National Association of Independent Schools suggests that parents ask the following questions as they look through each school’s materials:

• Is the school accredited and by whom?
• What is the school’s mission and does its philosophy appeal to you?
• Does the school have a special or particular educational focus?
• Are academics rigorous?
• Is the environment competitive? Nurturing? Are there high expectations?Does the school meet your child’s needs?
• How large is the school and its student body?
• Where is the school located and what are your transportation options?
• Does the school seem to have a diverse student body and faculty?
• Do the school materials discuss parental involvement?
• For high schools, what are the graduation requirements? What percentage of students enters college-—and what kind of colleges do they attend?
• Is college counseling effective? (Look at the rates at which school grads achieve their first and second college choices.)
• What is the tuition and how flexible are the school’s financing options?

Beyond The Open House
If the glossy brochures, open houses, and school visits are making your head spin, try these alternative ways to learn more about a school.

Summer programs: Many schools offer summer programs that give a taste of the school’s culture long before it’s time to think about the application process. Try The Bryn Mawr School’s Little School Summer Camps for boys and girls ages 3 through 5, or Friends School of Baltimore’s Kindercamp for 4- and 5-year-olds.

Word-of-mouth: When asking others’ opinions of a school, you’re likely to hear both good and bad. But when selecting a school for your child, people you know are a great place to start. Neighbors, coworkers, and family members with ties to the school are great resources, as parents, teachers, and alumni can give you insights into a school’s inner workings.

School events: Extracurricular activities will define your child’s school experience just as much as academics, so why not check out what schools have to offer? Whether it be sports games and theater productions or art shows and community events, get your child on a school’s campus for a glimpse of programs he or she may someday join. Visit the annual Gilman Christmas Tree and Bake Sale, or the annual Turkey Bowl lacrosse game between Calvert Hall and Loyola Blakefield for a taste of a historic rivalry.

George Washington Studied Here
Ask a few schools about their famous grads, and here’s what you might hear.

Baltimore School for the Arts: Eric Greene, class of 1992, has sung with some of the principal opera companies of Europe and America including the Chicago Lyric Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the San Francisco Opera and the New York City Opera. Violist Nadia Sirota, class of 2000, was hailed by Time Out New York as one of New York’s “brightest, busiest players.” Project Runway champ Christian Siriano, class of 2004 created a line of make-up for Victoria’s Secret and a bridal collection for Nordstrom as well as several of the Emmy Awards dresses that ended up on best-dressed lists this year.

The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland: Outstanding alumni include Pulitzer Prize winners Hanson W. Baldwin ’20 and James Murray Kempton ’35; Dr. Arthur L. Bloomfield, 1904, a pioneer in the use of penicillin; and Alfred H. Barr, 1918, founding director of The Museum of Modern Art.

Calvert Hall: Juan A. Dixon ’97 led the University of Maryland Terrapins to their first NCAA championship in 2002 and earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2002 Final Four. The school also boasts a Maryland governor’s chief of staff (Matthew D. Gallagher ’90) and a top 10 finalist on America’s Got Talent (Drew Stevyns ’98).

Friends School of Baltimore: Dr. Jonathan Patz ‘76, was lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore. Other noteworthy alumni include Tucker Taylor ’57, part of the original management of Fed Ex, and Lance Reddick ’80, an actor known locally for playing Lt. Cedric Daniels on The Wire.

Gilman: Bespectacled Gilman student Walter Lord won an award as a senior in 1935 for his speech on the sinking of the Titanic. Nineteen years later, he published A Night to Remember, a book read by millions that has never been out of print. Some would say he created the narrative history genre.Charles C. Fenwick Jr. ’66 was winner of the Grand National—the world’s greatest steeplechase—in 1980 riding Ben Nevis. More recently, Fenwick, now president of Valley Motors Auto Group, participated in the Aintree Legends Charity Race at the 2011 Grand National in Liverpool, England on April 9. The celebrity race featured 10 Grand National winning jockeys. Another Gilman grad, Doug Becker ’84, has been chief executive officer and chairman of Laureate Education since 2000. Becker, who never attended college, led the transformation of Laureate Education (formerly Sylvan Learning Systems) from a domestic tutoring provider into the world’s leading international higher-education company with operations in more than 15 countries.

Loyola Blakefield: Graduates include the late Thomas L. Clancy Jr. ’65, author of such novels as The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, whose work has been adapted to film and video games. The Reverend George Coyne ’51 was the longtime director of the Vatican Observatory, and Thomas Hecht ’78 is a world-renowned pianist and head of piano studies at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore.

Maryvale Prepatory School: Maryvale graduate Patty Brown ’78, is president of Johns Hopkins Healthcare and senior counsel for The Johns Hopkins Health System. Suzanne Fischer-Huettner ’91 is publisher of The Maryland Daily Record.

McDonogh: Henry Laurence Gantt, a member of the class of 1878 (and one of the school’s original 21 students), created what became known as the Gantt chart, a project-management tool similar to a sideways bar graph. A more contemporary grad, Jenn Wasner ‘04, is a member of the up-and-coming band Wye Oak.

Notre Dame Prep: Notre Dame Prep grad Brigadier General Elizabeth Hoisington ‘36, was the second woman brigadier general in the U.S. Army. Corinne Raphael Sweeney ’71, is a veterinarian who ministered to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro after he shattered his leg in the subsequent Preakness Stakes. The Honorable Catherine “Katie” Curran O’Malley ’81, is a Maryland District Court judge, daughter of former state Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr., and wife of Governor Martin O’Malley.

The Park School: Park’s Rothman Brothers (John Rothman ‘67 and Tom Rothman ‘72) have made names for themselves in entertainment: John is an actor who has appeared in Law and Order and Arrested Development as well as the Broadway revival of Prelude to a Kiss, and off-Broadway in his one-person play The Impossible H.L. Mencken. After serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Fox Filmed Entertainment, Tom Rothman is chairman of a new joint venture with Sony Pictures to make movies and television for TriStar Productions. Nancy Weiss Malkiel ‘61, a historian, served as dean of the College at Princeton for 24 years—the longest serving dean of the college. She continues to teach history at Princeton. Dan Cummings ‘83 is executive vice chairman of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Roland Park Country School: RPCS grad Virginia Hall ‘24 was a member of the OSS and later the CIA. She engaged in espionage for the U.S. and Britain during World War II and was considered the most dangerous Allied agent in all of occupied France by the Gestapo. The late poet Adrienne Rich ‘47 garnered numerous honors, including the Academy (of American Poets) Fellowship, the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, the National Book Award, and a MacArthur Fellowship. Mary Renner Beech ’90 served as vice president and general manager of toys and social expressions for Disney Consumer Products at the Walt Disney Co.