The Best Private Schools in Garrett Park, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Garrett Park. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Independent
St. Andrew's Episcopal School is a highly regarded coeducational independent school serving grades PK-12. It is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, which includes Advanced Placement courses, robust arts programs in visual and performing arts, and competitive athletics. The school emphasizes global citizenship, community service, and character development, with a beautiful 19-acre campus that supports hands-on learning. Parent satisfaction is high due to small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong sense of community.
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Washington Episcopal School
Independent
Washington Episcopal School offers a nurturing and academically challenging environment for students in grades N-8. It focuses on a well-rounded education with strengths in STEM, literacy, and arts, supported by dedicated teachers and modern facilities. The school promotes ethical development, diversity, and extracurricular activities like sports and music. Its location in Bethesda makes it easily accessible to Garrett Park families, and it is praised for its supportive community and high parent satisfaction.
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The Barrie School
Independent
The Barrie School provides a progressive education from early childhood through upper school, blending Montessori principles with college preparatory rigor. It features innovative programs in outdoor education, arts, and technology, set on a spacious campus with extensive facilities. The school is known for its individualized approach, diverse community, and strong emphasis on experiential learning. Despite being founded earlier than the ideal range, it remains a top choice for Garrett Park families due to its academic excellence and high parent reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Garrett Park, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Garrett Park, Maryland, and what are their educational philosophies?
While Garrett Park itself is a small residential community, it is served by several prestigious private schools in the immediate surrounding area of Montgomery County. The most prominent include St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Potomac, MD), known for its rigorous college-prep curriculum and Episcopal values; Washington Episcopal School (Bethesda, MD), which emphasizes a balanced approach of academic challenge and character development; and The Barrie School (Silver Spring, MD), notable for its Montessori-based programs for younger students and an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum for older grades. Many Garrett Park families also consider schools in nearby Washington D.C. The lack of a large private school within Garrett Park's borders means most options require a short commute, but they offer a range of philosophies from religious to progressive to Montessori.
What is the typical tuition range for private schools near Garrett Park, MD, and are there financial aid options specific to Maryland?
Tuition for the top-tier private schools in the Garrett Park vicinity is significant, reflecting the high cost of living in Montgomery County. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $35,000 to over $50,000 annually for day schools, with high school often at the upper end. All major schools like St. Andrew's, WES, and Barrie offer robust need-based financial aid programs. Additionally, Maryland offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded scholarships for eligible K-12 students to attend nonpublic schools. This can be a valuable resource for qualifying Garrett Park families, though it is income-based and has application deadlines typically in the spring.
How does the enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Garrett Park differ from public school registration?
The private school admission process in the Garrett Park area is highly structured and begins much earlier than public school registration. For entry in the fall, the process typically starts 12-18 months in advance. Key steps include attending open houses (often in the fall), submitting applications by January deadlines, student assessments and interviews (often in winter), and receiving decisions in March. This contrasts sharply with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), where registration is ongoing and based on residency. For Garrett Park families, planning ahead is critical, and it's common to apply to multiple private schools while also understanding your guaranteed MCPS neighborhood school option.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Garrett Park area that leverage the local D.C. metropolitan resources?
Private schools in this region excel at utilizing their proximity to Washington, D.C., for unparalleled experiential learning. Programs often include specialized courses in government, international relations, and public policy with guest speakers from Capitol Hill and federal agencies. Schools like St. Andrew's and WES have strong partnerships with cultural institutions like the Smithsonian, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, and various embassies, facilitating internships, research opportunities, and global studies programs. Furthermore, athletic and arts programs frequently compete and collaborate with other elite institutions across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, offering a rich, metropolitan experience beyond the classroom.
For a family living in Garrett Park, what are the key considerations when choosing between the highly-rated Montgomery County Public Schools (like Garrett Park Elementary) and a private school?
This is a central decision for Garrett Park families. The local MCPS, including the acclaimed Garrett Park Elementary School, offers a strong, tuition-free education with diverse programs. Key considerations for opting for private include: seeking a specific educational philosophy (e.g., Montessori, Episcopal), a desire for smaller class sizes and more individualized attention, a different curricular focus (like the IB program at Barrie), or a particular community environment. The commute is also a factor—while the public school is walkable, private options require daily transportation. Ultimately, the choice often hinges on whether the specific values, programs, and community of a private school align with a family's educational goals, balanced against the significant financial investment required.
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