The Best Private Schools in Clinton, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Clinton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Beddow School
Independent Private School
The Beddow School, located just minutes from Clinton in Fort Washington, is a premier private school known for its personalized education approach and strong academic record. Established in 1972, it serves students from elementary through high school with a curriculum that includes Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM programs, and extensive arts offerings. The school features state-of-the-art facilities, including smart classrooms, science laboratories, and performing arts spaces. High parent satisfaction stems from its focus on individual student growth, experienced teachers, and a wide range of extracurricular activities like robotics, drama, and athletics.
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The Calverton School
Independent College Preparatory School
The Calverton School is a distinguished independent school serving the Southern Maryland region, including Clinton, with a reputation for academic rigor and holistic development. Founded in 1972, it offers programs from Pre-K through 12th grade, featuring an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, advanced science and math tracks, and award-winning arts programs. The campus spans 15 acres with modern classrooms, innovation labs, and athletic complexes. Extracurriculars include competitive sports, debate teams, and outdoor education. Parents consistently praise the school for its committed faculty, inclusive community, and success in preparing students for top universities.
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Clinton Christian School
Independent Christian School
Clinton Christian School is a highly-regarded private Christian institution serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Founded in 1978, the school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The campus includes modern facilities such as science labs, technology centers, and athletic fields. Extracurricular offerings include competitive sports, fine arts programs, and community service opportunities. Parent satisfaction is high due to the school's strong community focus and consistent academic outcomes, with many graduates attending top colleges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Clinton, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available within Clinton, Maryland, and what are their educational philosophies?
Clinton, MD, is home to a few notable private schools, each with a distinct focus. **Clinton Christian School** is a prominent Pre-K through 12th grade institution offering a Bible-based, college-preparatory education with a strong emphasis on character development. **The Beddow School**, located just across the border in Fort Washington, serves many Clinton families and is known for its Montessori-based approach for children from infancy through elementary, focusing on individualized, hands-on learning. **The Calverton School**, situated in Huntingtown (a short drive from Clinton), is an independent, college-preparatory day school for grades Pre-K through 12, known for its rigorous academics, arts, and athletics. For Clinton residents, these schools represent the core options spanning faith-based, Montessori, and traditional independent models.
How does tuition for private schools in the Clinton, MD, area typically compare to state averages, and what financial aid options exist?
Tuition for private schools in the Clinton corridor generally aligns with or slightly exceeds the Maryland private school average, which was approximately $10,000-$15,000 for elementary and $15,000-$25,000+ for high school in recent years. For example, Clinton Christian School's tuition ranges significantly by grade level within these brackets. Maryland offers specific financial aid avenues that Clinton parents can explore. The most notable is the **Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship**, a state-funded program providing vouchers for eligible families to use at participating private schools, including those in and around Clinton. Additionally, most schools offer their own need-based financial aid and sibling discounts.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Clinton, MD, families?
Schools in this area provide specialized programs leveraging their unique missions. **Clinton Christian School** features a strong STEM program, competitive athletics, and fine arts, all within a faith-integrated framework. **The Beddow School's** Montessori curriculum includes practical life skills, foreign language exposure, and a mixed-age classroom environment that fosters leadership. **The Calverton School**, while a drive away, offers extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a renowned visual and performing arts department, and environmental science programs utilizing its 80-acre campus. For Clinton students interested in specific tracks like faith-based college prep, Montessori early education, or a robust arts/AP curriculum, these local options provide clear pathways.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Clinton, MD, and when should parents start applying?
The enrollment process for private schools in the Clinton area often begins nearly a year in advance. Most schools, like Clinton Christian School and The Calverton School, have application deadlines in **January or February** for the following academic year, with notifications sent in March. Key steps usually include: submitting an application, providing academic records, teacher recommendations, and attending a family interview or student assessment day. For popular schools and younger grades (especially Pre-K and Kindergarten), waiting lists can form quickly. Parents in Clinton are advised to start researching and attending open houses in the fall (September-November) to ensure they meet winter deadlines. The Beddow School, with rolling admissions based on availability, is a slight exception but still encourages early inquiry.
For families in Clinton, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (like the Prince George's County Public School system) and area private schools?
The decision often hinges on several Clinton-specific factors. **Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS)** offer a large, diverse system with specialized programs (e.g., language immersion, STEM magnets) but can face challenges with overcrowding and resource variability. Clinton-area private schools offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious or pedagogical philosophies (e.g., Christian, Montessori), and often more consistent college preparatory tracking. Transportation is a key practical difference: PGCPS provides busing, while private schools typically require parent carpooling or paid bus services, which is a significant logistical consideration for Clinton's suburban layout. Ultimately, the choice depends on a family's priorities for educational approach, community environment, and budget, weighing the no-tuition public option against the tailored, tuition-based private model.
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