The Best Private Schools in Dundalk, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Dundalk. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Calvert Hall College High School
Private Catholic School
Calvert Hall College High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the Baltimore metropolitan area, including Dundalk families. Founded by the Christian Brothers, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 24 Advanced Placement courses and extensive STEM opportunities. The 50-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts center, and athletic complex. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence. The extensive extracurricular program includes 26 sports teams, robotics, debate, and numerous clubs.
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Maryvale Preparatory School
Private Catholic School for Girls
Maryvale Preparatory School is an independent Catholic school for young women serving the greater Baltimore area, including Dundalk students. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on STEM education, leadership development, and community service. The 25-acre campus includes modern classrooms, science and technology labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. Maryvale's signature programs include the LEAD program for leadership development, extensive AP course offerings, and competitive athletic teams. The school maintains small class sizes and personalized attention with a 8:1 student-teacher ratio.
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St. Paul's School for Girls
Independent Episcopal School
St. Paul's School for Girls is an independent Episcopal school serving students from across the Baltimore region, including Dundalk. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with innovative STEM programs, extensive arts education, and competitive athletics. The campus features modern academic facilities, science and technology labs, performing arts center, and athletic complex. The school emphasizes leadership development, community engagement, and global citizenship. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, St. Paul's provides personalized attention and strong college counseling. The school's location in Brooklandville provides easy access for families throughout Baltimore County.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Dundalk, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Dundalk, MD, and are they located directly in the community?
While Dundalk itself has a limited number of standalone private schools, families in this Baltimore County community typically look to highly-regarded institutions in the broader metropolitan area. The most prominent options include Calvert Hall College High School (all-boys, Catholic, in Towson), Maryvale Preparatory School (all-girls, Catholic, in Brooklandville), and St. Paul's School for Girls (all-girls, independent, in Brooklandville). Dundalk's location provides reasonable access to these and other Baltimore-area private schools via major highways, but daily commuting is a standard consideration for Dundalk families choosing private education.
How does Maryland's BOOST scholarship program impact tuition affordability for Dundalk families considering private schools?
Maryland's Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) scholarship program is a crucial financial consideration. It provides state-funded vouchers to eligible students from lower-income households to attend qualifying private schools. For a Dundalk family, this can make schools like Calvert Hall, Maryvale, or St. Paul's more accessible. Eligibility is based on household income (up to 300% of the federal free lunch guideline), and awards are prioritized for students currently in public schools or from the lowest income brackets. Applying for BOOST is a separate process with an annual deadline, typically in mid-April, and must be coordinated with the private school's own financial aid application.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the top private schools near Dundalk, MD, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The leading private schools in the Baltimore area offer specialized programs not commonly found in Dundalk's public schools. Calvert Hall is renowned for its engineering and STEM-focused curriculum, including a dedicated STEM Center. Maryvale Preparatory School and St. Paul's School for Girls both offer robust college-preparatory programs with distinctive features: Maryvale has a strong focus on leadership and global studies, while St. Paul's emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and has a renowned robotics program. All three schools typically have smaller class sizes, more extensive arts and athletics facilities, and a wider array of Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) options compared to the local public high schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools like Calvert Hall or St. Paul's School for Girls for a student from Dundalk?
The process is highly structured and begins over a year in advance. For 9th-grade entry, families should start researching in the spring of the student's 7th-grade year. The formal application cycle for the following fall opens in August/September of 8th grade. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in the fall), submitting applications by December or January, taking the High School Placement Test (HSPT) or SSAT, providing transcripts and teacher recommendations, and completing interviews. Admissions decisions are typically released in February or March. For Dundalk families, demonstrating a commitment to the commute and community involvement can be important factors in the holistic review process.
For a Dundalk family, what are the key practical considerations when choosing between the local public high school and a private school in the Baltimore area?
Beyond academics, Dundalk parents must weigh several location-specific factors. **Commute:** Attending a private school often means a 30-60 minute daily drive each way to campuses in Towson or Brooklandville, impacting family schedules and transportation costs. **Community & Cost:** While Dundalk public schools are tuition-free, private school tuition ranges from approximately $20,000 to $30,000+ annually, though financial aid and BOOST scholarships can offset this. **Environment:** Private schools offer a distinct social and academic environment, which may differ significantly from the local community feel of Dundalk High School. The decision often hinges on whether the specialized programs, smaller classes, and perceived college preparatory edge of the private schools justify the significant financial investment and logistical demands for a Dundalk-based family.
Private Education Insights
Discover Dundalk's Top Private Catholic Schools: A Parent's Guide
For parents in Dundalk considering a faith-based education for their children, the search for "private catholic schools near me" often leads to a wonderful discovery. While Dundalk itself is rich in community spirit and strong public schools, the surrounding Baltimore area is home to several exceptional private Catholic institutions that are very accessible to local families. This creates a unique opportunity to choose an educational environment that aligns deeply with your values, without being limited by immediate geography. The commute from Dundalk is often manageable, opening doors to schools with long-standing reputations for academic rigor, character formation, and supportive communities.
When researching options, you’ll find that schools like Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Maryvale Preparatory School in Brooklandville, and St. Paul’s School for Girls, also in Brooklandville, are within a reasonable driving distance. Each offers a distinct experience. Calvert Hall, an all-boys school, provides a brotherhood-focused environment with a legendary athletic tradition and robust college preparatory programs. For families with daughters, Maryvale and St. Paul’s School for Girls offer empowering, all-girls education that fosters leadership and intellectual confidence. It’s important to look beyond the "near me" search and consider the daily rhythm. Many Dundalk families find the drive along I-695 or I-895 to be a worthwhile investment for the specialized education their child receives, and carpooling with other local families is a common practice that builds community from the start.
The local context for Dundalk parents is key. You are part of a tight-knit, proud community, and a private Catholic school can extend that sense of belonging into the educational sphere. These schools are not just academic institutions; they are communities where faith, service, and moral development are woven into the daily fabric. This can be a powerful complement to the values many families in the area already hold dear. When visiting schools, ask about their service requirements and how they engage with the greater Baltimore area. You’ll often find students participating in outreach programs that might even bring them back to serve in Dundalk, creating a meaningful connection between their school life and hometown.
Practically, the process involves more than a simple online query. Once you’ve identified potential schools from your "private catholic schools near me" search, plan to attend open houses. This is non-negotiable. Feel the atmosphere, talk to current parents, and, most importantly, let your child experience the campus. Inquire about transportation options; some schools offer bus services from key areas, which can be a game-changer for logistics. Also, be proactive about financial aid and scholarship opportunities. These schools are committed to making their education accessible, and applying for aid is a standard part of the process for many families. Choosing a private Catholic school in the Baltimore area is about investing in a holistic education that nurtures the mind, spirit, and character of your child, building a foundation that lasts far beyond the commute from Dundalk.
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