The Best Private Schools in Barstow, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Barstow. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Key School
Independent
The Key School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located approximately 30 miles from Barstow in Annapolis, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The school emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and character development through its comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school maintains a diverse community and strong college placement record.
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Indian Creek School
Independent
Indian Creek School is a respected independent school serving students from age 3 through 12th grade, located approximately 25 miles from Barstow. The school offers a balanced approach to education with strong academic programs complemented by extensive arts and athletics. Features include innovative STEM labs, modern athletic facilities, and comprehensive college counseling. The school community emphasizes character education and global awareness, with small class sizes ensuring personalized attention for each student.
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The Calverton School
Independent
The Calverton School is an independent college preparatory school located approximately 15 miles from Barstow in Huntingtown. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, the school offers both traditional college prep and International Baccalaureate programs. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. Calverton emphasizes academic excellence while fostering individual growth through diverse extracurricular opportunities including competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and community service programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Barstow, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Barstow, Maryland, and what are their educational philosophies?
Barstow, Maryland, is served by several highly-regarded independent schools in the surrounding Anne Arundel County area. The most prominent include The Key School in Annapolis (approximately 10 miles away), which emphasizes experiential, interdisciplinary learning; Indian Creek School in Crownsville (about 8 miles away), known for its strong college preparatory program and inclusive community; and The Calverton School in Huntingtown (roughly 20 miles south), which offers a rigorous curriculum with a focus on character and leadership. While Barstow itself is a small, unincorporated community, these schools represent the core private options for local families, each with distinct approaches to education. Transportation is a key consideration, as most require a family commute.
How does tuition at Barstow-area private schools compare to the Maryland state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the private schools near Barstow, MD, is generally at or above the Maryland state average for independent schools, reflecting their competitive programs and locations. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges from approximately $25,000 to over $40,000 annually depending on the grade level and school. All three major schools—The Key School, Indian Creek, and Calverton—have robust financial aid programs funded through their operating budgets. They use standardized assessment from systems like SSS by NAIS to determine need-based grants. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) program, which provides K-12 scholarships for eligible families to attend private schools, a valuable state-specific resource for Barstow residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Barstow, MD, offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay environment?
Private schools in the Barstow region uniquely integrate the Chesapeake Bay's cultural and ecological resources into their curricula. The Key School has a renowned marine science program and utilizes its proximity to the Bay for hands-on environmental studies and sailing. Indian Creek School emphasizes environmental stewardship with outdoor classrooms and projects focused on local watersheds. The Calverton School, while slightly further south, incorporates agricultural science and sustainability initiatives connected to the region's landscape. This shared focus on the local environment provides students with distinctive, place-based learning opportunities that are a hallmark of education in this part of Anne Arundel and Calvert counties.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Barstow, Maryland, and when should families begin?
The enrollment process for private schools serving Barstow, MD, is highly structured and begins early. Most schools, including Key, Indian Creek, and Calverton, open applications in the late summer or early fall (September-October) for admission the following academic year. Key deadlines for applications, financial aid, and entrance assessments (such as the ISEE or SSAT) typically fall between January and February. Admissions decisions are usually released in March. Given the competitive nature and limited spaces, especially in entry grades, families in Barstow are advised to begin researching schools and attending open houses 12-18 months in advance, often in the spring prior to the application year.
For a family in Barstow, what are the major considerations when comparing the local public school options (like Anne Arundel County Public Schools) to the nearby private schools?
Families in Barstow, MD, must weigh several local factors. Barstow is zoned for Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), which are generally well-regarded but offer less individualized attention due to larger class sizes. The primary draw of private schools like Key, Indian Creek, and Calverton is smaller student-to-teacher ratios, specialized curricula, and often more extensive arts, athletics, and advanced placement offerings. A major practical consideration is commute time versus the local school bus service provided by AACPS. Financially, the cost of private tuition is significant compared to no-cost public education. Ultimately, the decision often hinges on a family's priority for a specific educational philosophy, community, and programmatic depth that the private institutions provide, balanced against the convenience and cost-savings of the public system.
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