Finding Your Future Alma Mater

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?