As we make our way through another sweltering summer, check out these fun swimming spots (many of which are free!) to cool off in the area’s many rivers and streams while experiencing a new neck of the woods.

Beaver Dam Swimming Club
Nestled on a 30-acre complex, this freshwater quarry is not to be missed by rope-swing aficionados. 10820 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville

Hammerman Beach (Gunpowder Falls State Park)
Located in Gunpowder Falls State Park, this area—equipped with lifeguards on duty—includes 1,500 feet of beach for daytime swimming on the banks of the Gunpowder. 7200 Graces Quarters Road, Middle River

Hart-Miller Island State Park
This 1,110-acre island is located in Baltimore County where the Middle River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Mouth of the Middle River, Essex 

Mayo Beach Park
Pack up a cooler and spend the day lounging on the sand at this Anne Arundel County beach, which is free to visit (with an online reservation) Memorial Day through Labor Day. 4150 Honeysuckle Drive, Edgewater 

North Point State Park
North Point features beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay and includes a waterfront that is open to swimmers and waders. 8400 North Point Road, Edgemere

Patapsco Valley State Park
There are many reasons to visit the gem of Central Maryland, including hiking, mountain biking, camping, bird watching, and picnicking. But swimming—or more accurately, dipping—in the cool waters of the Patapsco River sometimes gets forgotten. 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City

Rocky Point Park and Beach
The 375-acre park sits at the mouth of the Back and Middle rivers and is open year-round for fishing, boating, and picnicking from sunrise to sunset—and for swimming at the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when lifeguards are on duty. 2200 Rocky Point Road, Essex

Updated June 2025. Fact-checking by Alana McCarthy Light

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you thinking about your next move? Maybe you’re empty nesters and you hardly use half the rooms in your house. Maybe you want to move, but not too far from your kids and grandchildren. Or maybe you’re thinking ahead and want a place that offers independent living with more care in the future. Luckily our area offers plenty of choices.

Purchasing A CCRC
Former astronaut 75-year-old Mary Cleave had a very exciting career. She went into space twice on Atlantis, and worked at NASA-Goddard and NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. “When I went to work at Goddard, my cousin suggested I move to Annapolis,” she says. Cleave lived in her house for 30 years. “I would have kept living there, but one night my hearing aids were out when the low battery on the fire alarm kept beeping, and I never heard it. My sister happened to be visiting and said, ‘You can’t live alone anymore, it isn’t safe.’”

“Since I love the water, I knew I wanted to stay in Annapolis,” she continues. After visiting several communities and talking to people at each, Cleave decided on Bay-Woods of Annapolis, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

“In the morning I sit and watch the sunrise over the Bay Bridge. . .”

Cleave moved in 2017. What attracted her to BayWoods is that it is a resident-owned-and-run co-operative community where residents provide vital input on operations. (In Maryland there are only two co-op CCRCs.) Also a must for Cleave was that it was pet-friendly. “I think for people who live alone, a pet is very important,” says Cleave, who lives with her dog Brinx.

“In the morning I sit and watch the sunrise over the Bay Bridge,” says Cleave, who has a one-bedroom with a patio. “It’s a great way to start the day.” Although downsizing can be difficult, Cleave found getting rid of a lot of her stuff to be liberating. And when she has company, she reserves a guestroom at BayWoods.

Elizabeth O’Conner, director of marketing and sales at Blakehurst, says, “Today’s residents are very active.” A gym is a must-have, and many CCRCs have more than equipment and classes. They may offer trainers, indoor pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, walking trails, a putting green—even gardens where residents can grow flowers and vegetables.

BayWoods has plenty of activities and amenities, some unique to that community, such as swimming in the bay off their dock. Cleave says, “With the gym right here, I take classes three times a week and do tai chi once a week. And Brinx, my ‘trainer,’ makes sure we get out and walk,” laughs Cleave.

Is a CCRC Right For You?
A CCRC is a type of retirement community that is part independent living, part assisted living, and part skilled nursing home. Today, many communities offer memory care too, and on-site rehabilitation therapy. According to AARP, a CCRC offers a tiered approach to the aging process, accommodating residents’ changing needs. Upon entering, healthy adults can reside independently in single-family homes, apartments, or condominiums. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can move into assisted living, memory care, or nursing care facilities. These communities give older adults the option to live in one location for the duration of their lives, with much of their future care already figured out.

“I came in needing a walker, graduated to a cane and, thanks to the in-house physical therapy, I now need nothing.”

When you choose a facility, it’s also important to know what type of contract it offers. These contracts can be very complex; treat this decision like you would any major investment, including seeking assistance from a lawyer or someone very knowledgeable. In addition, you should determine that the finances of the CCRC are healthy so that your present and future services are safeguarded.

Ray, 83, and Phoebe Sachs, 80, are no strangers to moving. “We’ve lived in New York, Chicago, Delaware, D.C., and moved about 10 or 12, times,” says Ray. While living in a Baltimore condo, with their three children living all over the country, the couple decided a CCRC would give them the future security they wanted. Their children agreed.

“We are very active and decided we’d make the move while we could participate in the activities and be part of the community,” says Ray. After checking out several CCRCs, they chose Blakehurst. “It had what we wanted—care if we need it, attractive surroundings, lots of activities including woodworking (where my wife is the only woman), walking trails, and we were able to make changes to the apartment.”

Making changes was very important to Phoebe, who was a builder and does interior design. “We made our second bedroom into a library and totally redid the kitchen,” she says. “We can cook, but they do such a remarkable job with the food and it’s so convenient, we don’t.”

“Our new appliances aren’t getting much of a workout,” admits Ray.

Typically, residents in independent living get at least one meal a day. In assisted living, memory care, and nursing, there are three meals provided. “At BayWoods the food is fabulous and healthy,” says Cleave. “I’m eating better than I ever did. And I don’t have to think about what I’m going to make for dinner, shop for it, and cook it.” Many CCRCs offer a variety of dining options beyond a dining room, including informal choices such as a café, bistro, deli, or pub. Some even have outdoor dining.

A Rental CCRC
Kathryn Lewis, age 72 and retired from working for the State of Maryland, was living with her son and his family. But after she had a knee replacement and ended up in rehab, she knew she could not return to her son’s house and its stairs. “The staff at the rehab facility suggested I consider moving to the Atrium Village in Owings Mills,” she says. Lewis moved there in 2021.

“I came in needing a walker, graduated to a cane and, thanks to the in-house physical therapy, I now need nothing. What was so great was that I didn’t need to leave Atrium Village and didn’t need family to take me to therapy,” says Lewis. As an ordained minister, Lewis loves volunteering at Atrium Village and doing activities: Bible study, choir, trivia, happy hour, movies, games, discussions, and exercise classes including Zumba and yoga.

At Atrium Village there are no entry or buy-in fees, or a commitment of retirement assets, as with most senior living communities. The cost of an apartment, dining options, all activities, fitness, housekeeping, and other services is included in a monthly lease.

Atrium Village has independent, assisted, and memory care. And it just underwent a $13 million renovation. Angela Spence, senior divisional director of sales and marketing for Senior Lifestyle, the company that manages Atrium Village, was involved in the renovation. According to Spence, the multimillion-dollar renovation is part of a 20-year anniversary transformation to create a next generation senior living experience.

“There are still some people who think of senior living communities as nursing homes. We need to overcome that stigma. Since COVID and with the renovation, our goal is to have programs that help residents get back into life and find a purpose. Living well is all about having a purpose,” says Spence.

Anyone visiting many of today’s CCRCs would never think of them as nursing homes. Many who live there say it’s like living on a cruise ship; it just doesn’t move.

Part of the renovation at Atrium Village included an array of new services and upscale amenities. In addition to two restaurant-style dining venues, there are two new bistros, a library, wellness center, salon, art studio, hospitality lounge, movie theater, and family center.

Happy hour is also big at many CCRCs. Spence says, “We added more happy hours after the residents requested them.”

Many of the CCRCs have continuing education. At BayWoods there are lectures given by neighboring St. John’s College scholars. Atrium Village partners with the Community College of Baltimore County to offer instructor-led classes.

CCRCs arrange trips, art classes and, yes, the list of activities and amenities goes on and on. But don’t worry, you can be as active as you want, or if you prefer a quieter experience, you can have that too. It’s all up to you.

An Over-55 Community
The Weidmans, Hope, 70, and Tim, 69, were no strangers to life at a 55-and-over community. They had lived in one in New Jersey for seven years and loved it. “When I retired after 38 years of teaching, we decided to move to a place that would be fun. A 55-and-over community fits the bill,” says Hope.

But trips to visit their son and his family in Virgina became too much. “So we started looking. We checked out Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland. When we visited Four Seasons on Kent Island it was everything we wanted.” There were single-family units and condos, walking trails, a pool, pickleball, and, best of all, there were other people their age for socializing. The Weidmans moved into a two-bedroom, two-and-half-bath home with a den and screened-in porch in 2021.

According to Veronica Lawson, an associate broker at Real Broker, LLC, these communities are ready-made for like-minded individuals for whom physical and emotional well-being are key.
Things like social activities and planned trips to local events create a strong sense of community that in turn create a fun and safe environment. Fifty-five-plus communities are becoming more and more popular as many healthy retirees look for active communities once retired.

And for some, buying before they retire is part of their long-range retirement plan. That was true for Gamini Dharmasena, 62, and his wife Desilva, 59, both scientists living in New Jersey. “We aren’t planning to retire for five years but thought prices would only keep going up. For my wife, who grew up in Sri Lanka, being by the water was a must. We checked out several places on the East Coast but were afraid of hurricanes in North Carolina,” says Gamini.

After filling out information online for Four Season on Kent Island, they got a call from a realtor. They visited and fell in love with the area and were attracted to a 55-plus active community with lots of activities and opportunities to be social.

The Dharmasenas purchased a single family, 3,500-square-foot home with the master bedroom on the first floor and a screened-in porch. It backs on trees and is a five-minute walk to the water. “Our 5,000-square-foot home on five acres is a lot to look after. When we retire, we’ll be ready to downsize,” says Gamini. Plus, they love to travel and won’t have to worry about the house. For now, the Dharmasenas plan to use it as a vacation home twice a month until it becomes their permanent home.

To learn more about retirement options check out these helpful websites:
• aging.maryland.gov
• continuingcarecommunities.org
• aarp.org/caregiving/basics
• seniorliving.org/continuing-careretirement-communities

As we dive into the new year, we’re already starting to see new fitness trends take over our Instagram feeds. People are using the calendar to reset and fuel fresh goals, pursuing all things health and wellness. There’s no shortage of new tips, tricks, and fads, but we’re taking a look at the things we think will stick around for the full year.

Body and Mind

First and foremost, we’re seeing a shift from only-fitness to all-around wellness. In 2019, you’ll focus on training your body and your mind. People are realizing they need to look at the whole picture, not just the physical. From sleep to mental health and stress to nutrition, being “well” is at the top of the list and brands are making help accessible to all. Apps like Headspace are making meditation more mainstream and we’re seeing it more in Baltimore, with events by Jason Williams of Charm City PT and others. Local legend Michael Phelps is working to lessen the stigma around therapy, sharing his story of anxiety and depression, encouraging approachable apps like Talkspace to assist with mental health.

Easy Access

Companies, trainers, and brands are building new ways to make their information more easily accessible, particularly with digital fitness. Streaming and digital-guided workouts are everywhere and apps have multiplied on your phone, on your TV and even in your Mirror. Amazon-owned audiobook seller Audible even has audio-guided fitness programs available from Aaptiv. As we see more focus on convenience and easy-to-use programming, we know this trend will only continue to grow.

Shorter Workouts

Shorter workouts are on the rise (count us in!). People are busier than ever and are looking for a short, effective workouts to help them reach their goals. The 2019 MINDBODY Wellness Index Report shared that 44 percent of Americans “try to prioritize fitness when they can” but nearly 37 percent identify time constraints as a an obstacle to living a healthier life. Studios and digital leaders are offering shorter classes and sessions to cater to the demand.

Because of the time constraints, we’re also seeing a continued rise in HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts, which typically involve short bursts of high-intensity bouts of exercise followed by a short period of rest. While HIIT started with elite athletes and has been growing in interest since 2014, this trend has gone fully mainstream. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal annual Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends ranks it in their top three of 2019 trends.

Low Impact

In an effort to balance high-intensity workouts and focus more on the long term, we’re also seeing a rise in swimming, walking, yoga, and other low-impact fitness activities. Swimming particularly has myriad benefits and can be perfect for people with osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and even bad posture. But don’t think because it’s low impact means it’s easy—your body is working hard to move you through the water. You can even add in underwater weights like surf legend Laird Hamilton, cycle bikes like D.C.’s Splash Cycle, and much more.

According to MINDBODY, yoga and swimming topped the list of exercises Americans are most interested in trying next. Although popular across the board, when broken down further by age, swimming rises to the top with exercisers ages 45 to 65. The Washington Post reported that “baby boomers are retiring but not slowing down,” making way for specific low-impact programs tailored to their age group. While it hasn’t been in the top 10 for ACSM since 2007, they are showing that fitness clubs are capitalizing on these individuals because they generally have more discretionary money than their younger counterparts.

Recovery, Recovery, Recovery

Going along with the theme of overall wellness, you’re going to see a major emphasis on recovery in 2019. On a recent episode of the Tim Ferriss podcast, LeBron James and his trainer talked about the importance of his recovery, including sleep. While you may have seen a foam roller in the corner at your gym, you can expect to see more myofascial, stretching, and compression tools. More trainers and studios are also utilizing percussion tools, like the Theragun and Hypervolt, to add another layer to your pre and post-workout.

Blurred Lines

Lastly, in 2019 we’ll see expanded offerings from your favorite places and trainers. As we’ve seen here in Baltimore, major cities are becoming saturated with fitness options. It’s not only hard for you to choose just one, but it’s tough for studio owners to keep up with the competition. This year, you’re going to see some studios and instructors grow their offerings to accommodate and attract clients with new classes, workshops, hours, etc. On the other end of the spectrum, we’re also seeing a rise in class offerings from large gym brands—in an effort to keep up with the desire for small, unique experiences.

For decades, pediatrician Ralph Brown noticed a difference between the white and Black children he saw. Nearly all the white kids in his Sinai Hospital practice learned to swim by age 7 or 8. “Not the case with African-American families,” says Brown. “I’m embarrassed to admit, it did not register what that meant until I saw a CDC report—maybe a half-dozen years ago—that Black children are five times more likely to drown than white kids.”

It also wasn’t until then, adds Brown, who recently retired, that he understood the statistic’s relationship to segregation and Jim Crow. “There were limited opportunities for their grandparents and great-grandparents to swim, and that legacy has been passed down,” Brown says. He began asking the parents of Black children who did know how to swim how they had learned. “And I kept hearing, ‘Mr. Thorpe.’”

Mr. Thorpe is the tall, skinny junior high schooler on the right in the above photo. His father, Marvin Thorpe Sr., whom he is named after, is the broad-shouldered man standing on the other side of the smiling kids in their backyard pool. The elder Thorpe, who once said he dreamt “of a day where there are no reports of a child drowning,” began offering swimming lessons behind their Windsor Mill beltway bungalow in 1972. He had managed to learn to swim in segregated Lynchburg, VA—by hounding local lifeguards—and developed a lifelong passion for the water. He died in 2004, at which point Marvin II took over the annual Memorial Day to Labor Day enterprise.

Together and separately, Thorpe, who is now 50, and his father have taught an estimated 15,000 people to swim over the past 46 seasons. Mostly, that’s been Black kids, but not all by any means. They’ve introduced three generations in some cases to swimming, including parents and grandparents who decided to learn after their children and grandchildren became swimmers. Former mayors Kurt Schmoke and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake brought their children to the Thorpes. So have the Mosbys—Marilyn and Nick, the city state’s attorney and state delegate, respectively—Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, and former Harlem Globetrotter Choo Smith.

“Word of mouth,” says Thorpe, getting the tidy 16-yard pool ready on a recent morning. “We’ve never done any advertising.”

His father’s first pupil, in fact, was his son, who nearly drowned in the family’s then-above-ground pool as a 4 year old. “My father was a physical education teacher in the city school system and coached swimming and tennis at Southwestern High for four years,” Thorpe says. “He taught me to swim the next day. He started teaching swimming in our backyard that summer, built an inground pool a few years later, and I was a part of it, helping him from day one.”

The popularity of the program did not manifest because of his father’s fun teaching style or teddy bear nature. The elder Thorpe was a taskmaster who did not allow parents to stay during lessons and was generally unmoved by children’s tears. “Dad could be very tough, even mean, I thought sometimes, but you did what he wanted. He didn’t think it should take longer than two weeks, two hours a day, to learn to swim,” says Thorpe. “But, at the end of those two weeks, he’d invite the parents to come afterward, and there’d be a Saturday barbecue and the kids could jump off the diving board and slide if they were ready. He called them ‘closing exercises,’ but they were more like a party. He loved those barbecues.”

Thorpe says he was “programmed” by his dad to take over. (His mother, who always handled the admin work, was also a schoolteacher.) He has several siblings, but it was clear his father always intended for him to inherit the job.

At 6-foot-4, Thorpe possesses some of the imposing qualities of his father, but also a gentler manner. Still, he went through a prodigal son period. “I moved out when I was a teenager,” he says. “I didn’t want to do this with my life, do the same thing as him. I quit for three years. Then I realized I loved to teach like he did. He never said a word about it when I came back. I didn’t have to work my way back up the ranks or into his good graces. It was just like I never left.”

Editor’s Note: This story is from the collection, If You Love Baltimore, It Will Love You Back: 171 Short But True Stories from Senior Editor Ron Cassie, due out Oct. 1 from Apprentice House Press at Loyola University Maryland To support local stores, it can be also pre-ordered through bookshop.org.

The five-time Olympic gold medalist and 14-time world champion Katie Ledecky can add one more accolade to her resume—2017 Female Athlete of the Year. The Associated Press chose Ledecky, with 351 votes, over world-class tennis player Serena Williams (343 votes) and track star Allyson Felix (248 votes).

Finishing second last year in voting to gymnast Simone Biles, her candidacy was strengthened this time around by her performance at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships is Budapest, where she won five gold medals and a silver.

According to the AP, Ledecky is the eighth female swimmer to win the award and the first since Amy Van Dyken in 1996. Among others is 1969 winner Debbie Meyer who Ledecky mirrored at last year’s Rio games by swimming the 200, 400, and 800 freestyles in a single Olympics. She is also the first active college athlete to win since UConn basketball player Rebecca Lobo in 1995.

“It’s a really great history of women swimmers and freestylers,” she told AP. “I really look up to a lot of those women.”

The 20-year-old Stanford sophomore got her start in swimming at age 6 because she wanted to make friends. Over the years, she has spent time training at Michael Phelps’ alma mater, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in Mt. Washington. Now, she is one of the most decorated American female swimmers in history and is favored to win big at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Despite the pressure of living in a performance-driven and results-driven world, Ledecky enjoys her journey from start to finish and always puts in her best effort.

She is remaining levelheaded and trying to enjoy a normal college experience—living in dorms, swimming with friends, and trying to decide on a major.

“Just being in the college environment has kind of added another layer of fun,” she said. “Being with teammates and working toward NCAA championships and having that team goal, that’s another thing that is fun. I know the four years goes by very quickly and I want to do everything I can to prepare.”

Lone Orioles All-Star Jonathan Schoop is bright spot for team.
This has been a rough first half of the Orioles season, to say the least. As we head into the All-Star break, the Orioles have a record of 40-45, a starting pitcher ERA of 8.66 in the month of July, and are averaging 3.25 runs per game this month—the worst run differential in the American League.

But we here at Baltimore magazine are optimists so, through our rose-colored glasses, we see that Jonathan Schoop was selected to play in his first All-Star Game on July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami. The second baseman, who leads the Orioles with 51 RBIs and 16 home runs, was selected by the MLB to be an AL reserve and becomes the fourth player from Curacao to become an  All-Star.

“I’m excited, happy,” Schoop told The Sun. “My head is spinning everywhere right now. I’ll just go in there and try to enjoy it . . . All I know since I was a kid was playing baseball. It was tough times for me to go through all this and now I’m an All-Star.”

Of course, his baseball BFF Manny Machado couldn’t contain his excitement either, and said he’s already offered to host Schoop and his family while they’re in Miami for the game. 

“To finally see what he’s turning into as a player, it’s unbelievable to watch,” Machado said. “His game has gone to another level and finally other players and teams and coaches are seeing it . . . words can’t describe how happy I am for him.”

Cue the chorus of awes. 

Plus, Britton is back!
Is it just us or does it seem like a lot of our problems can be traced back to May 5 when closer Zach Britton was put on the 60-day disabled list with a strained left forearm. Up until then, the closer had recorded a save in all five chances with a 1.00 ERA.

Though Buck Showalter says he’s easing him back into the ninth inning, things are looking promising as Britton pitched a scoreless seventh on Wednesday against the Brewers. And, clearly, fans are excited, too.

Swimmer Chase Kalisz dominates in 400-meter IM at Nationals.
Cheering on a local swimmer comes naturally to us, which is why we were so excited to see Bel Air native Chase Kalisz dominate in the 400-meter individual medley at the National Championships this past week. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist—who trained with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club—clocked in a winning time of 4:06.99—the fastest in the world this year.

All of this is fuel for Kalisz’s next big goal—the Olympics Games Tokyo in 2020.

“I’m really happy with that progress,” Kalisz told TeamUSA.org. “I tell people all the time that the best thing that happened to me for this four-year period was me getting silver. It motivates me every single day.”

Dunbar alum Jamel Artis shines in Knicks Summer League.
Though he was undrafted in the two-round selection process, Dunbar alum Jamel Artis is hoping to change is his story in the New York Knicks Summer League team in Orlando. In the team’s first three summer games, he has averaged nine points in under 18 minutes a game. Though he’s a swingman, Artis is playing mostly at forward and made five of 12 3-pointers.

“I’m in a good position right now with the Knicks,” told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m in a great position, actually. I can only be thankful and grateful for the position I’m in now. I’ve just got to go out there and play hard.”

“I just want to take it all in this last time around.”

This is what Michael Phelps told us in 2012, referring to the London Olympics and his impending retirement. That, of course, did not pan out and, while many ordinary people do not announce their retirement twice, Phelps’ story is far from ordinary.

It may have started out that way, as an 8-year-old swimming for the Meadowbrook Tomatoes in Mt. Washington. That’s when Phelps first met his lifelong coach Bob Bowman and his talent was obvious from the start.

“If you go and look at the Preakness horses, they look a certain way,” Bowman told us. “They have a certain body type. Michael’s put together like an ideal swimmer. You could see when he was in the water he had a tremendous feel, meaning he moved through the water without excess motion. He was efficient.”

Phelps made the trip to the 2000 Olympics while he was just a sophomore at Towson High School, becoming the youngest U.S. male swimmer to do so in 86 years. Though he didn’t medal, his career was propelling as fast as his butterfly stroke.

He first met with his lifelong agent, Peter Carlisle, in 2002 and proceeded to rack up medal after medal in the Olympic games in Athens, Beijing, London, and most recently Rio. USA Swimming saw its membership jump up exponentially and, from 2008-2012, airtime on NBC for swimming increased 35.5 hours.

“The goal I had was to change the sport of swimming and take it to a new level,” Phelps told us. “It’s amazing to see how its popularity has increased over the years.”

Phelps’ popularity certainly sky-rocketed, too. He has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated five times. He has made tens of millions of dollars in endorsement deals alone, signing with the likes of Visa, Subway, Under Armour, and Speedo. He now has his own line of swimwear called MP. That original swim school in Mt. Washington? It’s now named in his honor. Not to mention, he’s become the most decorated Olympian, by far, along the way.

But his path, as many know, has not been without its hurdles. In 2009, a photo of him smoking marijuana went viral, but he and his image came out relatively unscathed.

“It’s impossible to know what opportunities didn’t come because of it,” Carlisle told us. “I’m sure it had an effect, but most of the sponsors he had he still has, and he’s added to it. Fortunately, his brand has been resilient.”

Resilience is certainly what it took in September 2014 when Phelps was arrested for a DUI after being pulled over at 1:40 a.m. in the Fort McHenry Tunnel and clocking a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. After the arrest, Phelps didn’t leave his house for days and, in this revealing 2015 Sports Illustrated article, he admits he was depressed.

“I was in a really dark place,” Phelps told Sports Illustrated. “Not wanting to be alive anymore.”

In the article, friends and family, including Ray Lewis, whom Phelps describes as “like a brother to me,” convinced him to go to rehab. “’I gave him some harsh reality,’ Lewis said. ‘I said, ‘Bro, what are you doing with your life?’ Phelps’s recollection of that conversation? ‘He tore me a new one.’”

Though rehab was “probably the most afraid I’ve ever felt in my life,” the group therapy worked. Before that, “I saw myself as the athlete that I was, but not as a human being.” After, he began to value himself as a person.

Following rehab, many pieces of Phelps’ life came back together, including reconciling with his estranged father, Fred. He also got engaged to his longtime on-again-off-again girlfriend Nicole Johnson. The two had son Boomer in May and plan on marrying in the fall.

“I’m back to being the little kid who once said anything is possible,” Phelps told Sports Illustrated. “You’re going to see a different me than you saw in any of the other Olympics.”

And, boy, was he right. This past Olympics in Rio, Phelps looked like he could do no wrong. Even when he was trailing, a crucial turn or extended amount of time underwater pushed him ahead of the pack. He won races by a body length—all 6-foot-4-inches of it. In all, he added another five gold medals and one silver to his belt, which adds up to a staggering 27 Olympic medals in total.

“It’s rather amazing to think of Michael’s journey since 2000,” his mom, Debbie, said on the Today Show Friday morning. “Starting from age 15 and now 31, it’s just remarkable . . . Michael is very driven to correct thing that have gone wrong. I’ve never seen him as happy as he is now.”

As for the next phase of Phelps’ life, we can only go by what he told us he had planned back in 2012.

“After I retire, I want to take time for myself, golfing, and doing things I haven’t been able to experience,” he said. “I’ve never really taken a vacation. I want to travel and experience the world. I know that may sound strange, but while I have been to a lot of great countries, I’ve only seen the airport, pool, and hotel. We never have a chance to get out and explore. I’ll always be involved in swimming, just in a different way.”

We can also assume that he’d add one more thing to the roster of golf, travel, and swim: spending time with his brand new family.

“The young bucks brought tears to our eyes,” Phelps told the Today Show. “I was trying to hold back as much as I could. Nathan started shedding tears, then Ryan was shedding tears. Being a part of the 400-free relay has been a dream of mine. I’ve been on the good side and bad side of it. I was happy we could win that relay as a team.”

Phelps admitted that having his 3-month-old son, Boomer, in the audience while he won his 19th gold medal, made the experience “a lot more emotional.”

“I tried to look for him up there and, when I finally found him, he was asleep,” he said with a laugh. “Hopefully we was awake during the race but, if not, I can play it for him when he’s a bit older. It’s just an inspiration to have him here.”

Kalisz and Phelps, of course, have their training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in Mt. Washington to thank. Kalisz has trained at the NBAC since 2000—and, more recently, in Scottsdale, Arizona—with mentor Phelps and coach Bob Bowman. In a 2013 interview, he talked about how rewarding that experience has been.

“Training at NBAC with the greatest swimmer of all time has been probably the best environment for me,” said Kalisz, pictured, clearly enjoying himself in Rio.

“I’ve always dreamed about racing and swimming with him. I never thought that would happen to me.”

Phelps’s work in Rio isn’t done yet. On Tuesday night, he’ll swim the men’s 200-meter fly, on Thursday he’ll swim the 200-meter IM he finishes up on Friday night with his signature 100-meter butterfly.

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