The Best Private Schools in Easton, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Easton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Country School
Independent
The Country School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Known for its strong academic foundation and nurturing environment, the school emphasizes hands-on learning with dedicated faculty and small class sizes. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, art studios, and extensive athletic fields. The school's comprehensive curriculum includes robust STEM programs, integrated arts education, and outdoor learning experiences that take advantage of its Eastern Shore location. Parents consistently praise the school's community atmosphere and the individualized attention students receive.
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Wye River Upper School
Independent
Located in nearby Centreville and serving students from across the Eastern Shore including Easton, Wye River Upper School specializes in educating bright students with learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning challenges. The school offers a college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized learning plans. The program emphasizes executive function skills, self-advocacy, and academic confidence. Facilities include technology-enhanced classrooms, science labs, and collaborative learning spaces. The school has an excellent track record of college acceptance and is highly regarded for its supportive environment and specialized approach to learning differences.
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Saints Peter and Paul High School
Catholic
Saints Peter and Paul High School is a Catholic college preparatory school serving the Eastern Shore community. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and character development, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum including honors and Advanced Placement courses. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, a chapel, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. Students benefit from a wide range of extracurricular activities including competitive sports teams, music programs, and community service opportunities. The school maintains a strong college acceptance record and is known for its supportive community and dedicated faculty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Easton, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Easton, Maryland, and how do they differ in focus?
Easton, MD, offers a few distinct private school options serving different grade levels and educational philosophies. For elementary and middle school, The Country School (Pre-K to 8) provides a progressive, project-based learning environment with a strong emphasis on outdoor education, leveraging its Eastern Shore setting. For high school, Saints Peter and Paul High School (9-12) is a Catholic, college-preparatory school offering a traditional academic curriculum alongside faith-based education and competitive athletics. Wye River Upper School (6-12) specializes in serving bright students with learning differences, such as ADHD and dyslexia, with a highly individualized, supportive approach. This range allows parents to match their child's needs with a school's specific mission.
How does tuition at Easton, MD, private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Easton's private schools is generally in line with or slightly below the Maryland independent school average, reflecting the region's cost of living. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $15,000-$25,000, with elementary grades at the lower end and high school at the higher end. All major schools in Easton are committed to socioeconomic diversity and offer need-based financial aid. Saints Peter and Paul High School also participates in the BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) program, a Maryland state-funded scholarship for eligible families choosing nonpublic schools. It's crucial to apply for financial aid early, as deadlines often precede admission decisions.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Easton private schools offer that leverage the Chesapeake Bay region?
Easton private schools uniquely integrate the local environment into their curricula. The Country School has a renowned "Chesapeake Bay Studies" program where students engage in hands-on environmental science, including oyster gardening and water quality testing on local tributaries. Saints Peter and Paul High School offers marine biology courses and partners with the nearby Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for experiential learning. Wye River Upper School utilizes the natural setting for project-based learning and therapeutic benefits, often incorporating outdoor education into its personalized programs. This regional focus provides students with a deeply connected, place-based education uncommon in many other areas.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Easton, and are there long waitlists?
The enrollment process for Easton private schools generally begins in the fall, with application deadlines between January and February for the following academic year. Admissions events and open houses are held from October through January. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular entry grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade, it is common for schools like The Country School and Saints Peter and Paul to have waitlists. Wye River Upper School, due to its specialized mission, conducts a more individualized assessment process focused on fit. It is highly advisable for parents to begin research 12-18 months in advance, attend open houses, and submit applications by the priority deadlines.
For families considering both sectors, how do the private schools in Easton, MD, complement or contrast with the highly-rated Talbot County Public Schools?
Talbot County Public Schools are indeed well-regarded, making the choice a matter of fit rather than necessity. Easton's private schools offer smaller class sizes (often 10-15 students vs. 20-25+ in public), more individualized attention, and distinct educational philosophies (progressive, faith-based, or specialized learning support). They can provide greater schedule flexibility and niche programs that a public school district, despite its quality, may not offer due to scale and standardization. The decision often comes down to a family's desire for a specific community, religious affiliation, a particular pedagogical approach, or specialized support for learning differences, which the private options in Easton are uniquely positioned to provide.
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