The Best Private Schools in Earleville, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Earleville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Gunston School
Independent
The Gunston School is a highly-regarded coeducational independent school serving the Eastern Shore region, including Earleville families. Situated on a 75-acre waterfront campus, the school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with unique environmental science and marine biology programs leveraging its Chesapeake Bay location. Gunston features state-of-the-art facilities including science centers, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic amenities. The school emphasizes leadership development, community service, and environmental stewardship while maintaining excellent college acceptance rates and strong academic outcomes.
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Tome School
Independent
Tome School is a prestigious independent college preparatory school located just 15 minutes from Earleville. Founded in 1974, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a rigorous academic program emphasizing critical thinking and character development. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. Tome offers a comprehensive STEM program, competitive athletics, and extensive arts opportunities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains strong college placement records and high parent satisfaction ratings.
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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 located approximately 20 minutes from Earleville. Founded in 1934, the school serves students in grades 9-12 with a comprehensive academic program rooted in Catholic values. The curriculum includes numerous Advanced Placement courses, extensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, a performing arts center, and athletic facilities. With a strong tradition of academic excellence and character formation, the school maintains high graduation rates and college placement success while serving families across Cecil County and the surrounding region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Earleville, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Earleville, Maryland, and what are their educational models?
Earleville itself is a small, rural town, so most private schools are located in nearby towns within Cecil County. The top options include The Gunston School (a co-ed, college-preparatory day and boarding school in Centreville, about 30 minutes away), Tome School (a historic, co-ed college-prep day school in North East, MD, roughly 25 minutes away), and Saints Peter and Paul High School (a Catholic, co-ed college-prep school in Easton, MD, approximately 45 minutes away). These schools offer distinct models: Gunston has a strong environmental focus due to its waterfront campus, Tome emphasizes a traditional liberal arts foundation, and Saints Peter & Paul provides a faith-based education. Transportation is a key consideration for Earleville families.
How does tuition for private schools in the Earleville, MD area compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the Earleville area varies significantly by school. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $15,000 to over $40,000 for day students, with boarding at Gunston costing more. 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 Earleville families. Additionally, all the mentioned schools offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships, so it's essential to apply for aid directly through each school's financial aid service (like SSS).
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Earleville, MD, that leverage the local environment?
Private schools near Earleville capitalize on the Chesapeake Bay region's natural resources. The Gunston School's signature "Chesapeake Bay Studies" program integrates environmental science, history, and policy, with hands-on learning on their Corsica River campus. Sailing and crew are prominent athletics. Tome School, while more traditional, offers strong STEM programs and utilizes its proximity to historical sites for experiential learning. Saints Peter and Paul High School offers a comprehensive STEM academy and a variety of arts programs. The rural setting of Earleville means these schools often provide expansive campuses and a focus on community, which differs from urban private school experiences.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Earleville, MD region, and how far in advance should parents apply?
The admission process for schools like Gunston, Tome, and Saints Peter & Paul generally follows an annual cycle. Prospective families should begin researching 12-18 months before the desired fall entry. Key steps include: attending open houses (often in fall), submitting applications by January or February deadlines, completing standardized testing (SSAT or ISEE), and scheduling student interviews and visits. Rolling admissions may be available for some grades if space permits. Given that these schools draw from a wide geographic area across the Eastern Shore, starting early is crucial, especially for competitive entry grades (9th and 10th). Sibling and legacy preferences are common factors.
For an Earleville resident, what are the major considerations when choosing between the local public school (Cecil County Public Schools) and a private school in the region?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. Cecil County Public Schools, like Bohemia Manor High School, offer a no-tuition option with specific vocational and agricultural programs relevant to the area. The primary considerations for choosing a private school include: a desire for a specific educational philosophy (progressive, faith-based, or intensely college-prep), smaller class sizes, and specialized programs (like Gunston's environmental focus). The trade-off involves a significant financial investment and, importantly, a substantial daily commute from Earleville to schools in Centreville, Easton, or North East. Parents must weigh the community and convenience of a local public school against the specialized offerings and potentially different peer environment of a private institution.