The Best Private Schools in Gambrills, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Gambrills. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Key School
Independent School
The Key School is an independent, coeducational day school serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Located in Annapolis approximately 15 miles from Gambrills, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in addition to a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The 15-acre campus features modern academic buildings, athletic facilities, and dedicated arts spaces. Key School emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, and global citizenship. The school maintains small class sizes with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive athletics, performing arts, and community service programs.
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Archbishop Spalding High School
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Archbishop Spalding High School is a comprehensive Catholic college preparatory school serving students in grades 9-12. Located just minutes from Gambrills in Severn, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 23 Advanced Placement courses and specialized academies in STEM, Global Studies, and Visual/Performing Arts. The 52-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, athletic complexes, and performing arts centers. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, the school emphasizes individualized attention and character development. The robust athletic program competes in the MIAA A Conference, and students participate in over 60 clubs and organizations.
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Indian Creek School
Independent School
Indian Creek School is an independent, coeducational day school serving students from pre-school through grade 12. Located in Crownsville just 5 miles from Gambrills, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with 18 Advanced Placement courses. The 114-acre campus features modern academic facilities, science labs, art studios, athletic fields, and a performing arts center. Indian Creek emphasizes project-based learning and character education while maintaining small class sizes. The school offers a robust athletic program competing in the MIAA and IAAM conferences, along with extensive arts programs and extracurricular activities including robotics, debate, and environmental clubs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Gambrills, Maryland
What are the main private school options available for families residing in Gambrills, Maryland, and what grade levels do they serve?
While Gambrills itself is primarily residential, it is centrally located near several highly-regarded private schools in Anne Arundel County. The most prominent nearby options include Archbishop Spalding High School (a Catholic, co-ed school for grades 9-12 in Severn), The Key School (a progressive, independent Pre-K through 12 school in Annapolis), and Indian Creek School (an independent, co-ed day school for Pre-K through 12 in Crownsville). Families in Gambrills benefit from relatively easy access to these institutions via Route 3, Route 32, and I-97. There are also smaller parochial and independent elementary schools in the broader region.
How does tuition for top private schools near Gambrills, MD, compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Gambrills area varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $10,000-$15,000 for Archbishop Spalding High School, while The Key School and Indian Creek School are typically in the $30,000-$40,000 range for upper grades. All these schools offer robust financial aid programs based on demonstrated need. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, a state-funded voucher that provides financial assistance for eligible K-12 students to attend nonpublic schools, which can be a crucial resource for Gambrills families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Gambrills offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay region?
Schools in the Gambrills/Annapolis corridor often integrate the local environment into their curricula. The Key School has a renowned marine science program and utilizes its campus near the Severn River. Indian Creek School emphasizes environmental stewardship and offers relevant fieldwork. Archbishop Spalding, while having a strong college-prep focus, provides unique opportunities through its engineering and biomedical science pathways that can connect with local defense, tech, and medical employers in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Many schools also have strong sailing teams, leveraging the area's nautical culture.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Gambrills, Maryland area?
The process for schools like The Key School, Indian Creek, and Archbishop Spalding is highly structured and begins early. Prospective families should initiate inquiries in the fall, a full year before desired enrollment (e.g., Fall 2024 for Fall 2025). Key steps include attending open houses (often held October-January), submitting applications by January/February deadlines, completing student assessments and interviews, and receiving decisions in March. For Archbishop Spalding, placement tests for incoming 9th graders are a critical component. Given the competitive nature, especially for entry grades, Gambrills parents are advised to plan well in advance.
For families in Gambrills considering the choice between the local public schools (in the Anne Arundel County Public School system) and nearby private options, what are some key differentiating factors?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), which serves Gambrills, are generally well-regarded, but private options offer distinct alternatives. Private schools provide significantly smaller class sizes, specialized teaching philosophies (like The Key School's progressive approach), or a faith-based education (like Spalding's Catholic foundation). They may also offer more flexibility in curriculum and fewer standardized testing mandates than Maryland's public school system. For families in Gambrills, the trade-off involves weighing the commute, financial investment, and these specific educational environments against the no-tuition, community-centered option of the local public schools.
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