The Best Private Schools in Brooklyn, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Brooklyn. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Severn School
Severn School
Severn School is a highly respected coeducational independent day school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Located just 15 miles from Brooklyn, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 22 Advanced Placement courses. The 22-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Severn emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with a strong honor code and community service requirements. The school maintains small class sizes with a 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities in athletics, arts, and leadership programs.
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Indian Creek School
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek School is an independent coeducational school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, located approximately 12 miles from Brooklyn. The school offers both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs, providing diverse academic pathways. The 114-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and innovation labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. Indian Creek emphasizes project-based learning and global citizenship, with opportunities for international travel and cultural exchange. The school maintains a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio and offers comprehensive athletics, arts, and community service programs that foster well-rounded student development.
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Key School
Key School
The Key School is an independent coeducational day school located approximately 8 miles from Brooklyn in Annapolis. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, Key offers a progressive education model that balances academic rigor with creative expression and critical thinking. The school features a 15-acre campus with modern academic buildings, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. Key's curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, extensive arts programs, and unique offerings like marine science utilizing the nearby Chesapeake Bay. The school emphasizes experiential learning, community engagement, and developing students' individual talents through small class sizes and personalized attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Brooklyn, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Brooklyn, Maryland, and what are their educational philosophies?
While Brooklyn itself is a smaller residential community, families here typically look to several highly-regarded independent day schools in the broader Anne Arundel County area. The most prominent include Severn School (Pre-K-12) in Severna Park, known for its rigorous college-prep curriculum and strong emphasis on character and leadership; Indian Creek School (Pre-K-12) in Crownsville, which focuses on experiential, student-centered learning and community engagement; and Key School (Pre-K-12) in Annapolis, renowned for its progressive, interdisciplinary approach and international baccalaureate (IB) program. These schools all draw students from Brooklyn, with commute times typically ranging from 15 to 30 minutes.
How does tuition for top private schools near Brooklyn, MD, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition at schools like Severn, Indian Creek, and Key is generally above the Maryland private school average, reflecting their resources and reputations. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect upper school tuition to range from approximately $30,000 to $38,000. Importantly, all these schools have substantial financial aid programs funded by endowments and annual giving. They use need-based assessment services (like SSS by NAIS) and are committed to socioeconomic diversity. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, a state-funded voucher that provides eligible families with K-12 scholarships to attend private schools, which can be a significant resource for Brooklyn residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Brooklyn offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay region?
Schools in this region uniquely integrate the Chesapeake Bay's environmental, historical, and maritime resources into their curricula. Severn School has a renowned River Program focused on environmental science and stewardship of the Severn River. Indian Creek School features a cutting-edge STEM program and partnerships with local environmental organizations, often using the Bay as a living laboratory. Key School’s location in Annapolis allows for deep maritime connections, including sailing and marine science programs. This regional focus provides students with unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities in ecology, history, and civic responsibility that are specific to the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County area.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Brooklyn, MD area?
The admission process for schools like Severn, Indian Creek, and Key is highly structured and begins well in advance. Prospective families should start researching and attending open houses in the fall (September-November). Application deadlines are typically in early to mid-January for the following academic year. The process includes a submitted application, student assessments/interviews, teacher recommendations, and school records review. Notification dates are usually in mid-March. Given the competitive nature and limited seats, especially in entry-level grades (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th), it is crucial for Brooklyn parents to plan at least a year ahead and engage with admissions offices early.
For a family in Brooklyn, what are the key considerations when choosing between the high-performing public schools in Anne Arundel County and the nearby private independent schools?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), which Brooklyn is part of, are generally well-regarded, with some standout programs. However, private schools offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 12-18 students vs. 25+), more individualized attention, and distinct pedagogical approaches (like Key's IB or Severn's leadership focus). Private schools also typically have more resources for arts, athletics, and technology per student. The trade-off is, of course, cost. Families should consider the commute to a private school versus the local public school, the value of a consistent private school community from Pre-K through 12th grade, and whether their child's needs align with a specific private school's mission that the public system may not replicate.
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