The Best Private Schools in Crumpton, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Crumpton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Gunston School
Independent College Preparatory School
The Gunston School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the entire Eastern Shore region, including Crumpton families. Founded in 1911, Gunston offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes (8:1 student-teacher ratio) and personalized attention. The school features a 35-acre waterfront campus with state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. Gunston's curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and leadership development, with 100% of graduates accepted to four-year colleges. The school offers extensive extracurricular programs including competitive sailing, robotics, and community service opportunities.
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Kent School
Independent Pre-K through 8th Grade School
Kent School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, drawing families from throughout Kent County and surrounding areas including Crumpton. The school emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning with a strong focus on character development and academic foundation. Kent School's 15-acre campus features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with specialized programs in STEM, visual and performing arts, and outdoor education. Small class sizes ensure individualized attention, and the school maintains strong community partnerships with local environmental and cultural organizations.
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Saints Peter and Paul High School
Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
Saints Peter and Paul High School is a Catholic college preparatory school serving the Mid-Shore region, including families from Crumpton. The school offers a comprehensive academic program rooted in Catholic values with a strong emphasis on college readiness. The campus features modern science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. SSPP provides a well-rounded education with advanced placement courses, competitive athletics programs, and extensive extracurricular activities including robotics, drama, and community service. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and emphasizes leadership development through its campus ministry and student government programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Crumpton, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Crumpton, Maryland, and what grade levels do they cover?
Crumpton itself is a very 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 (co-ed, grades 9-12, day & boarding), Kent School (co-ed, grades PK-8), and Saints Peter and Paul High School (co-ed, grades 9-12) located in Easton. These schools draw students from Crumpton and surrounding communities like Chestertown and Centreville. Given the rural setting, most require a commute, making transportation plans an important local consideration.
How does the tuition at private schools near Crumpton, MD, compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-25 academic year, Kent School (PK-8) tuition ranges from approximately $10,000 for pre-K to over $20,000 for middle school. The Gunston School and Saints Peter & Paul High School have tuitions for high school day students typically between $25,000 and $30,000. Maryland 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. This can be a crucial financial resource for qualifying families in Crumpton and across Maryland. All these schools also offer their own need-based financial aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Crumpton offer that leverage the Chesapeake Bay environment?
Schools in this region uniquely integrate the local Chesapeake Bay ecosystem into their curricula. The Gunston School has a renowned Chesapeake Bay Studies program and a waterfront campus with a marina, offering environmental science, sailing, and rowing. Kent School emphasizes environmental stewardship and outdoor education aligned with its proximity to the Chester River. Saints Peter and Paul High School, while more traditional in its college-prep focus, facilitates student involvement in local environmental science projects and internships through its community connections. This shared emphasis on the Bay area's natural resources is a distinctive feature of education here.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Crumpton, MD, area, and how far in advance should parents apply?
The admission process for schools like Gunston, Kent, and Saints Peter & Paul generally follows an annual cycle. Prospective families should begin researching and touring schools in the fall (September-October) a full year before desired enrollment. Application deadlines are typically in January or February for the following academic year, with decisions released in March. Due to the limited number of seats in these smaller, community-oriented schools, especially in specific grade levels, starting early is highly advised. Some schools may have rolling admission for grades where space remains available. Siblings and legacy applicants often receive priority, which is a notable factor in these tight-knit Eastern Shore communities.
For a family in rural Crumpton, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Kent County Public Schools) and a private school option?
The decision often centers on academic offerings, community size, and logistics. Kent County Public Schools provide a no-tuition option with a strong sense of local community. However, private schools in the area offer smaller class sizes (often a 10:1 student-teacher ratio), specialized college preparatory tracks, and distinct programs like Gunston's boarding option or Kent School's early childhood through 8th grade continuity. A major practical consideration is transportation, as private schools do not provide district busing from Crumpton, requiring a significant daily commute for parents or carpool arrangements. Families must weigh the investment in tuition and commute against the desire for a specific educational philosophy, religious affiliation (at SSPP), or specialized academic focus.
Private Education Insights
Discovering the Best Private High Schools in Crumpton, MD: A Parent's Guide
For families in Crumpton, the decision about where your child will spend their high school years is deeply significant. The quiet, rural character of our town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers a wonderful upbringing, but it also means looking beyond our immediate borders for secondary education. Exploring a private high school becomes a journey of finding the right fit—a community that aligns with your family’s values and your student’s aspirations, all within a manageable distance. The good news is that the Mid-Shore region is rich with distinctive options, each offering a unique pathway through these critical academic years.
When considering a private high school from Crumpton, the daily commute is a practical first thought. Schools like The Gunston School in Centreville or Kent School in Chestertown are both within a reasonable drive, allowing students to remain rooted at home while accessing exceptional resources. This proximity means your child can participate in after-school activities, from robotics clubs to sailing teams, without the burden of a boarding school schedule. It’s about integrating a robust private education into your Eastern Shore life. Saints Peter and Paul High School in Easton presents another excellent day-school option, known for its college-preparatory curriculum within a faith-based framework. Visiting each campus is essential; you’ll want to feel the community vibe and see if it’s a place where your teenager will be known, challenged, and supported.
The academic and extracurricular offerings at these institutions are tailored to prepare students for a competitive world. A private high school here often leverages our unique environment. You might find marine biology classes utilizing the Chester River, environmental science programs focused on local ecosystems, or history curricula deeply connected to Maryland’s rich past. This localized context makes learning resonate. Furthermore, the smaller class sizes typical of these schools ensure personalized attention, something parents in our close-knit Crumpton area often highly value. It’s an extension of the personalized care you expect in a small community.
Ultimately, the choice is about matching your child’s needs with a school’s culture and strengths. Perhaps your student is an artist or a budding scientist; each private high school in our area has its own signature programs. The investment is substantial, but so is the return: a focused educational environment, a network of dedicated peers and teachers, and a strong foundation for college and life. For Crumpton parents, it’s a proactive step in shaping your child’s future without leaving the supportive fabric of the Eastern Shore behind. We recommend starting conversations early, attending open houses, and, most importantly, including your teenager in the process. The right private high school will feel like a partnership, extending your family’s educational values into these formative years.
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