The Best Private Schools in Surry, Maine
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Surry. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Maine School of Science and Mathematics
Public Magnet School (Private School Alternative)
While technically a public magnet school, MSSM functions as a premier private school alternative serving gifted students from across Maine, including the Surry area. The school offers an exceptional STEM-focused education with residential options for students seeking advanced academic opportunities. The curriculum includes advanced mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science, and research programs. Students benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories, research partnerships with universities, and outstanding college placement. The school consistently ranks among the top secondary STEM programs nationally and serves as an excellent option for academically advanced students from rural areas.
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Ellsworth Christian Academy
Christian Schools International
Ellsworth Christian Academy provides a Christ-centered education serving families throughout Hancock County, including Surry. The school combines rigorous academics with biblical integration across all subjects. Features include small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on character development. The curriculum includes advanced STEM courses, comprehensive language arts, and college preparatory tracks. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratory, computer lab, and gymnasium. The school maintains high parent satisfaction through its nurturing environment and academic excellence.
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George Stevens Academy
Independent School
George Stevens Academy is a highly-regarded independent day school serving the Blue Hill Peninsula region, including Surry. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. Notable programs include robust visual and performing arts, marine science studies leveraging the coastal location, and competitive athletics. The campus features modern academic facilities, science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. Parents consistently praise the school's supportive community and strong college placement record.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Surry, Maine
What are the private school options for families living in Surry, Maine, and are there any schools located directly in the town?
Surry, Maine, is a small coastal town, and there are no private schools physically located within its town limits. Therefore, families typically look at private schools in the broader Hancock County region. The most prominent options include George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill (a private, independent high school), Ellsworth Christian Academy in Ellsworth (a K-12 Christian school), and the highly selective, public magnet Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone (which is state-funded but requires a competitive application process). For younger grades, parents often consider schools in Ellsworth, Blue Hill, or even Bangor, which involve a commute.
How does the tuition for private schools near Surry, ME, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for day schools in the Surry area varies. For example, George Stevens Academy's tuition is approximately $16,000-$18,000 per year, which is competitive for a Maine independent school. Ellsworth Christian Academy's tuition is generally lower, often in the $6,000-$8,000 range. Maine has a unique financial aid landscape; many schools offer need-based aid, and the state's "Town Tuitioning" program does not apply to Surry as it has its own public schools. However, Maine offers a limited tax deduction for some educational expenses. It's crucial to contact each school's admissions office directly, as they often have dedicated funds and flexible payment plans to assist families from the region.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Surry that leverage the local environment?
Schools in the Surry area capitalize on Maine's coastal and rural setting. George Stevens Academy, for instance, has strong marine science and sailing programs, direct access to the Blue Hill Bay for environmental studies, and renowned visual and performing arts offerings. Ellsworth Christian Academy integrates outdoor education and stewardship into its curriculum. While not a traditional private school, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics provides an unparalleled STEM focus with research opportunities. The proximity to Acadia National Park and the Gulf of Maine also allows many schools to incorporate unique field-based learning in ecology, geology, and sustainability.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like George Stevens Academy for a family residing in Surry?
The enrollment process for schools like George Stevens Academy (GSA) begins early in the prior academic year. For fall admission, applications are often due between January and February, with decisions released in March. The process typically includes submitting an application, academic records, teacher recommendations, a personal essay, and a campus visit/interview. As a boarding and day school, GSA gives equal consideration to local day students. For Ellsworth Christian Academy, timelines may be more flexible, with rolling admissions based on space availability. Given Surry's location, planning for transportation is a critical part of the enrollment decision, and connecting with other local families currently attending can provide valuable insights.
For a family in Surry, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public school (Surry Elementary) and a regional private school?
The decision hinges on several factors specific to Surry. Surry Elementary is a well-regarded K-8 public school with small class sizes, after which students attend Ellsworth High School. Choosing a private school often involves seeking a specific educational philosophy (e.g., independent college-prep at GSA or faith-based at Ellsworth Christian), specialized programs (advanced STEM, arts, or marine science), or a continuous K-12 pathway. The trade-off includes tuition costs, daily commuting time to Blue Hill, Ellsworth, or beyond, and potentially a different social community. Many Surry families value the strong local public school but opt for private options for high school to access different academic resources, smaller class sizes in upper grades, or boarding opportunities for a broader perspective.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Top Private Elementary Schools in Surry, Maine for Your Child
For parents in Surry, Maine, the search for the “best private elementary schools near me” is often driven by a desire for a specific educational environment that aligns with family values and academic aspirations. Surry’s serene, coastal setting offers a wonderful backdrop for childhood, but the quest for the right school requires looking thoughtfully at the options within a reasonable commute. The landscape here is characterized by small, community-focused institutions rather than a high concentration of large private academies, making each choice deeply personal and significant.
When considering private elementary education from Surry, your search naturally extends into the broader Hancock County region. A key local consideration is the commute, especially during Maine’s winter months. Routes along Route 172, Route 1, and toward Ellsworth become part of your daily calculus. This makes the definition of “near me” particularly important; a school 20 miles away in Downeast Maine feels different than one the same distance in a metropolitan area. Many families find that the intimate class sizes and tailored attention offered by local private schools are worth the scenic drive, fostering a close-knit relationship between home and school.
While Surry itself does not host a standalone private elementary school, excellent options exist in neighboring communities. In Ellsworth, approximately a 20-minute drive, you’ll find Ellsworth Christian Academy. This school provides a K-12 education rooted in a faith-based curriculum, which is a primary draw for many families seeking an environment where spiritual development is integrated with academic learning. For parents in Surry prioritizing a structured, values-oriented education from elementary through high school, this can be a compelling option. It represents a classic model of private schooling that has served the region for decades.
It’s important to note that some of the most notable schools associated with the area, like George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill or the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone, serve older students. GSA is a renowned independent high school, and MSSM is a public magnet residential high school. Their excellence often sparks interest in private education from an early age, prompting parents to seek a strong foundational elementary program that will prepare their child for such opportunities later. This forward-thinking perspective is common among Surry families engaged in this search.
Your process should involve more than just an online query. The best way to gauge if a school is the right fit is to visit, observe a classroom, and speak with teachers and administrators. Attend local community events in Surry and Blue Hill; conversations with other parents can provide invaluable, grounded insights about their experiences with different schools. In a region like ours, the educational community is interconnected. Finding the best private elementary school near you is less about finding a nationally ranked name and more about discovering a place where your child is known, challenged, and inspired—a place that feels like an extension of the supportive community you value here in Surry.
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