The Best Private Schools in Compton, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Compton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Evergreen Elementary School
Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools
Evergreen Elementary School serves the Compton and greater St. Mary's County area as a highly-regarded Catholic elementary school. The school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations, featuring small class sizes and individualized attention. Their comprehensive curriculum includes advanced literacy programs, STEM enrichment, and character development. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction through strong community involvement and communication. Facilities include modern classrooms, a dedicated STEM lab, and extensive playground areas. The school serves students from pre-K through 8th grade with a focus on preparing students for high school success.
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St. Mary's Ryken High School
Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools
St. Mary's Ryken High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving Compton and Southern Maryland communities. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 19 Advanced Placement courses and specialized academies in STEM, Global Studies, and Visual & Performing Arts. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, students receive personalized attention and college counseling. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and service learning while maintaining strong college acceptance rates to top universities nationwide.
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The Calverton School
Independent Private School
The Calverton School is an independent, coeducational day school serving families from Compton and surrounding Calvert County areas. The school offers a comprehensive educational program from Montessori early childhood through 12th grade, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Their 15-acre campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes experiential learning with outdoor education programs and environmental science initiatives. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Calverton provides personalized education that prepares students for college and beyond while fostering individual talents and interests.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Compton, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Compton, Maryland, and what grade levels do they cover?
Compton, MD, is a small, unincorporated community in St. Mary's County. The private schools most accessible to Compton families are located in the surrounding region. Key options include The Calverton School (Pre-K through 12) in Huntingtown, St. Mary's Ryken High School (9-12) in Leonardtown, and Evergreen Elementary School (K-8) in nearby Great Mills. While Compton itself is residential, these established schools provide comprehensive private education for Southern Maryland families, with many offering transportation or carpool networks for students from Compton and similar communities.
How does tuition at private schools near Compton, MD, compare to the Maryland state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Compton area is generally competitive with or slightly below the state average for similar institutions, reflecting the Southern Maryland cost of living. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $10,000-$15,000 for elementary grades and $15,000-$20,000+ for high school. All major schools, including St. Mary's Ryken, Calverton, and Evergreen, offer need-based financial aid, and many participate in Maryland state programs like the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship, which provides K-12 tuition assistance for eligible families. Early application for financial aid is crucial.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Compton, MD, offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Compton/St. Mary's County area often integrate the region's rich maritime, historical, and technological resources. St. Mary's Ryken High School, for instance, has a renowned Marine Science program with access to the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay. The Calverton School emphasizes environmental science and sustainability on its rural campus. Furthermore, proximity to Naval Air Station Patuxent River and associated defense contractors influences STEM and robotics programs at these schools, providing unique internship and mentorship opportunities not commonly found elsewhere.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Compton, MD, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment cycle for private schools in this region typically begins in the fall (September-October) for the following academic year, with application deadlines between January and March. Schools like The Calverton School and Evergreen Elementary often have rolling admissions afterward, but popular grades fill quickly. St. Mary's Ryken High School, as a diocesan school, follows a structured archdiocesan timeline. Due to the limited number of private seats in Southern Maryland, waitlists for certain grade levels, especially early elementary and freshman year, are common. We recommend attending open houses in the fall and submitting applications by the priority deadline.
For a family in Compton, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (St. Mary's County Public Schools) and a private school option?
The decision often hinges on several local factors. St. Mary's County Public Schools are generally well-regarded, but private options offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious or philosophical education (e.g., Catholic at Ryken, independent at Calverton), and specialized programs as mentioned. For Compton families, practical considerations include commute time to private campuses in Leonardtown or Huntingtown versus busing to local public schools. Additionally, the private school community can be more tightly knit, which is appealing to many in this area. The BOOST scholarship can significantly offset cost differences, making the choice more financial than geographic for eligible families.
Private Education Insights
Compton Parents: Understanding K-12 Private Academy Costs & Financial Aid Options
For families in Compton, Maryland, exploring the landscape of K12 private academy cost is a significant step in planning for your child's educational future. Understanding these expenses goes far beyond a simple tuition figure; it involves a comprehensive look at the investment and the distinct value offered by local institutions. In our community, options like Evergreen Elementary School, St. Mary's Ryken High School, and The Calverton School each present unique educational philosophies, and their associated costs reflect their individual programs, resources, and campus offerings. The journey begins with recognizing that tuition is the primary, but not the sole, component of the overall financial picture.
When examining K12 private academy cost in Compton, it's essential to consider the full scope from elementary through high school. A school like Evergreen Elementary provides a foundational private education, often with a tuition that is structured for younger grades. As students progress, institutions such as The Calverton School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, may have a tiered tuition structure that increases in the upper grades, reflecting more advanced curricula, college counseling, and specialized facilities. St. Mary's Ryken High School, as a Catholic institution, might offer a different model, sometimes with support from the local parish community that can influence the final cost to families. It is crucial to contact each school directly for their most current and detailed fee schedules.
Beyond base tuition, the real K12 private academy cost includes several additional factors that parents in Compton should budget for. These can encompass annual fees for technology, books, and lab supplies, which are standard at most academies. Transportation is another key consideration, especially in our more spread-out area of Southern Maryland; not all schools provide bus service, so factoring in fuel or private transportation costs is prudent. Extracurricular activities, from athletics to arts programs, often carry participation fees, uniforms, and travel expenses for competitions. For families considering boarding options at some regional private schools, room and board would represent a substantial additional line item.
However, it is vital to know that the stated K12 private academy cost is rarely the final amount a family pays. A critical and hopeful aspect of private education in Compton is the robust availability of financial aid and scholarships. Most schools, including those mentioned, are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer need-based financial aid programs. These require an annual application process, often using tools like the SSS (School and Student Services) by NAIS. Furthermore, Maryland state programs, such as the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship, can provide significant assistance to eligible families, making private education more accessible. We strongly encourage every family to explore these options thoroughly; an admissions officer can guide you through the process. Investing in a private academy education in Compton is an investment in personalized learning, community values, and long-term student success, and understanding the full financial landscape is the first step in making that dream a practical reality for your family.
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