The Best Private Schools in Barclay, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Barclay. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Gunston School
Independent
The Gunston School is a prestigious co-educational, independent day school serving grades 9-12 with a strong college preparatory focus. Located approximately 15 miles from Barclay, the school features a 35-acre waterfront campus on the Corsica River. Gunston offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes (average 10:1 student-teacher ratio), advanced placement courses, and signature programs in environmental science and leadership. The school emphasizes experiential learning with extensive waterfront access for marine science and environmental studies. Students benefit from comprehensive college counseling, competitive athletics, and robust arts programs. The school is known for its inclusive community and strong student-teacher relationships.
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Kent School
Independent
Kent School is an independent co-educational day school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, located approximately 8 miles from Barclay. The school emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning with a curriculum that balances academic rigor with character development. Kent School features small class sizes (average 12:1 ratio), dedicated faculty, and a beautiful 15-acre campus with modern facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. The school offers a comprehensive STEM program, foreign language instruction starting in pre-K, extensive arts education, and competitive athletics. Known for its warm, inclusive community and strong parent involvement, Kent School prepares students exceptionally well for secondary education with graduates attending top regional high schools.
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Saints Peter and Paul High School
Catholic
Saints Peter and Paul High School is a Catholic, co-educational college preparatory school serving grades 9-12, located approximately 12 miles from Barclay. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with honors and AP courses, strong STEM offerings, and a values-based education rooted in Catholic tradition. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and provides extensive college counseling with graduates attending competitive universities nationwide. Extracurricular activities include championship athletic teams, music and drama programs, and community service opportunities. The school is recognized for its strong community atmosphere and academic excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Barclay, Maryland
What are the main private school options available for families in and around Barclay, Maryland?
Barclay itself is a small town, so families typically look at well-regarded private schools in the broader Kent County and Upper Eastern Shore region. The top options include The Gunston School in Centreville (a co-ed, college-preparatory day and boarding school for grades 9-12), Saints Peter and Paul High School in Easton (a Catholic, co-ed high school), and Kent School in Chestertown (a junior kindergarten through 8th-grade independent school). These schools draw students from Barclay and surrounding communities like Chestertown, Rock Hall, and Galena, offering a range of educational philosophies from progressive independent to faith-based.
How does the tuition for private schools near Barclay, MD, compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Barclay area is generally competitive with or slightly below the average for Maryland private schools, partly due to the region's lower cost of living compared to the Baltimore-Washington corridor. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $15,000 to $35,000 annually, depending on the grade level and school. All the mentioned schools have robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded vouchers for eligible K-12 students to attend private schools, a valuable resource for qualifying Barclay-area families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Barclay offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay environment?
Private schools in the Barclay region uniquely integrate the Chesapeake Bay's cultural and ecological resources into their curricula. The Gunston School has a renowned Chesapeake Bay Studies program and waterfront campus with a leadership-focused waterfront program. Kent School emphasizes environmental science and stewardship, with outdoor classrooms and projects connected to local watersheds. Saints Peter and Paul High School offers marine science courses and related club activities. This focus provides exceptional hands-on learning in environmental science, maritime history, and ecology, which is a distinctive advantage of schools in this part of Maryland.
What are the key enrollment timelines and admission requirements for private high schools serving Barclay, Maryland, students?
The admission cycle for schools like The Gunston School and Saints Peter and Paul High School typically begins in the fall, with application deadlines between January and February for enrollment the following September. Key requirements often include a completed application, transcripts, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores (like the SSAT or ISEE), and a personal interview. For Kent School (which ends at 8th grade), the process for junior kindergarten and lower school grades may involve developmental assessments and play-based observations. It's crucial to start the process early, attend open houses (often held in the fall), and contact admissions offices directly, as some schools have rolling admission after priority deadlines.
For a family in Barclay, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school system (Kent County Public Schools) and a private school in the area?
The decision often hinges on several location-specific factors. Kent County Public Schools offer a no-tuition option with smaller class sizes than many Maryland districts, which is an advantage. However, private schools in the area provide distinct benefits: more specialized academic tracks (like Gunston's advanced STEM and arts programs), different educational philosophies (like Kent School's progressive, hands-on approach), or a faith-based foundation (at Saints Peter and Paul). The private options also typically have more extensive extracurricular offerings relative to their size and may provide a broader geographic peer network across the Eastern Shore. Transportation is a key practical consideration, as private schools do not provide district busing, so families in rural Barclay must plan for commuting.
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