The Best Private Schools in Edgewater, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Edgewater. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's High School
Archdiocese of Baltimore
St. Mary's High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school located just 15 minutes from Edgewater in Annapolis. With over 85 years of educational excellence, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 19 Advanced Placement courses and comprehensive STEM initiatives. The campus features modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. Students benefit from small class sizes averaging 16 students, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and a 100% college acceptance rate. The school emphasizes character development through community service requirements and offers robust extracurricular programs including championship athletic teams, performing arts, and academic clubs.
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The Key School
Independent
The Key School is a highly regarded independent school located approximately 20 minutes from Edgewater in Annapolis. Founded in 1958, this progressive institution serves students from pre-K through 12th grade with a challenging academic program that includes both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement options. The 15-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science and innovation labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. Key School emphasizes experiential learning, global citizenship, and individualized attention with an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school boasts exceptional college placement records and offers comprehensive arts, athletics, and community engagement programs.
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Indian Creek School
Independent
Indian Creek School is a respected independent school located about 15 minutes from Edgewater in Crownsville, serving students from pre-school through 12th grade. Established in 1973, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on STEM education, visual and performing arts, and character development. The 114-acre campus features modern academic buildings, science and innovation labs, athletic fields, and arts facilities. Indian Creek maintains small class sizes and personalized learning approaches, with over 70% of faculty holding advanced degrees. The school offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive athletics, robotics, theater productions, and community service programs, with graduates consistently gaining admission to top-tier colleges and universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Edgewater, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Edgewater, Maryland, and what are their educational philosophies?
Edgewater, MD, is served by several notable private schools, though many are located in nearby communities. The most prominent include St. Mary's High School in Annapolis (a Catholic, college-preparatory school), The Key School in Annapolis (progressive, independent with an experiential learning focus), and Indian Creek School in Crownsville (independent, with a strong emphasis on community and character education). While not within Edgewater's immediate borders, these schools are the primary choices for local families seeking private education. Edgewater itself has more limited on-site private options, making these nearby institutions highly relevant for residents.
How does tuition for private schools in the Edgewater, MD, area compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the Edgewater area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $20,000-$25,000 for day schools like Indian Creek and The Key School, while St. Mary's High School may be slightly lower due to its parochial affiliation. Maryland offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, a state-funded voucher that provides financial assistance to eligible K-12 students from lower-income families to attend nonpublic schools. This can be a crucial resource for Edgewater families. Additionally, all mentioned schools offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarships.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Edgewater, MD, offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay environment?
Schools in the Annapolis/Edgewater region uniquely integrate the Chesapeake Bay into their curricula. The Key School has a renowned marine science program and utilizes its waterfront campus for hands-on environmental studies. Indian Creek School emphasizes environmental stewardship and offers related electives and project-based learning. St. Mary's High School, with its proximity to downtown Annapolis and the U.S. Naval Academy, often features robust sailing teams and partnerships for maritime history or engineering seminars. This regional focus provides an educational experience deeply connected to the local ecology and culture.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Edgewater, Maryland, area?
The enrollment process for top schools like Indian Creek, The Key School, and St. Mary's is highly structured and begins early. Most families should initiate applications in the fall, a full year before desired entry (e.g., September/October 2024 for Fall 2025). Key steps include: attending open houses (often in the fall), submitting applications by January deadlines, completing student assessments/interviews, and providing teacher recommendations and transcripts. Notification dates are typically in March. For Edgewater residents, planning for transportation is a critical part of the process, as these schools are a commute away. We recommend contacting admissions offices directly, as some grades (especially middle school entry points) have more competitive waitlists.
For an Edgewater resident, what are the key considerations when choosing between the high-performing public schools in Anne Arundel County and the nearby private schools?
This decision hinges on several local factors. Anne Arundel County Public Schools, including South River High School's feeder system, are generally well-regarded. The choice for Edgewater families often comes down to educational approach, class size, and specific programs. Private schools offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious or philosophical education (e.g., Catholic at St. Mary's), and specialized programs like The Key School's progressive model. Considerations include the daily commute to Annapolis/Crownsville, the cost of tuition versus property taxes funding public schools, and the desire for a particular community environment. Many families value the private options for their consistent college preparatory focus and unique partnerships with local Annapolis institutions.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top Private High Schools Near Edgewater, MD: A Parent's Guide
As a parent in Edgewater, Maryland, the search for the right private high school can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You’re looking for an environment that aligns with your family’s values, challenges your student academically, and fosters their unique potential. When you type "private high schools near me" into a search engine, you’re met with a list of names, but what you truly seek is a sense of place and community. Fortunately, Edgewater and its surrounding areas in Anne Arundel County are home to several exceptional institutions, each with a distinct character, offering families meaningful choices right in their own backyard.
Understanding the local landscape is key. Edgewater provides a unique setting with its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, and the broader Baltimore-Washington corridor. This geography influences the educational philosophy of nearby schools. For instance, St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis offers a rigorous, faith-based college preparatory environment with a strong sense of tradition and community service, appealing to families seeking a structured, values-centered education. Just a short drive away in Annapolis, The Key School presents a progressive, independent approach. Its emphasis on experiential learning, critical thinking, and an inclusive community often resonates with parents looking for an education that encourages intellectual curiosity and student agency beyond conventional metrics.
Another standout option within a very manageable commute is Indian Creek School in Crownsville. This school offers a continuous educational journey from preschool through twelfth grade, which can be a significant advantage for families seeking consistency and a long-term community. Its focus on personalized learning and fostering individual student-teacher relationships creates a supportive environment where students are known and encouraged to explore diverse interests, from the arts to athletics and STEM. When considering "private high schools near me" from Edgewater, the commute is a practical factor. Thankfully, routes like Route 2, Route 50, and the backroads towards Crownsville make these schools accessible, allowing your student to benefit from these rich programs without an excessive daily travel burden.
Your search should extend beyond brochures and websites. We highly encourage visiting campuses, attending open houses, and, most importantly, arranging for your child to spend a shadow day. There’s no substitute for feeling the atmosphere of a hallway, observing student-teacher interactions, and seeing the facilities firsthand. Talk to current parents from the Edgewater area about their experiences with the daily logistics and community integration. Ask specific questions about how each school supports the transition to college, nurtures student well-being, and engages with the local Chesapeake community. Finding the right fit is about matching your child’s learning style and aspirations with a school’s mission. In Edgewater, you have the privilege of exploring several top-tier options close to home, each capable of providing a transformative high school experience that prepares students not just for college, but for thoughtful and engaged lives.