The Best Private Schools in Glen Echo, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Glen Echo. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The National Cathedral School
Independent
The National Cathedral School is a prestigious independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 4-12, located just minutes from Glen Echo in Washington, DC. With a 115-year legacy of academic excellence, NCS offers a rigorous curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, leadership development, and global citizenship. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, and extensive extracurricular opportunities. The school maintains strong college placement records with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Landon School
Independent
Landon School is a highly regarded independent day school for boys in grades 3-12, located in nearby Bethesda, Maryland. Founded in 1929, Landon combines academic rigor with character development through its honor code and community service programs. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement options, robust arts programs, and competitive athletics. The 75-acre campus features modern academic buildings, science and innovation labs, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic facilities. Landon emphasizes leadership development and maintains strong relationships with feeder schools throughout the Washington metropolitan area, including Glen Echo.
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Washington Episcopal School
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Washington Episcopal School is an independent Episcopal school serving students from age 2 through grade 8, located just minutes from Glen Echo in Bethesda. Founded in 1986, WES provides a balanced educational approach that combines academic excellence with spiritual and character development. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes advanced mathematics, science, language arts, and technology integration. The campus includes modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, music rooms, and athletic facilities. WES emphasizes community values and prepares students for success in top secondary schools throughout the Washington metropolitan area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Glen Echo, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Glen Echo, Maryland, and are they located within the town itself?
Glen Echo is a very small residential town, so most top-tier private schools are located in the surrounding Greater Washington, D.C., area but actively enroll students from Glen Echo. The schools you mentioned—The National Cathedral School (all-girls, in Washington, D.C.), Landon School (all-boys, in Bethesda, MD), and Washington Episcopal School (co-ed, in Bethesda, MD)—are among the most prominent. Other notable options include Sidwell Friends School (Washington, D.C.) and the McLean School of Maryland (Potomac, MD). Transportation via private bus services or carpooling is common for Glen Echo residents, as these schools are typically a 15-30 minute commute away.
How does the tuition for top private schools near Glen Echo, MD, compare to the Maryland state average, and what financial aid resources are available?
Tuition for the elite private schools accessible from Glen Echo is significantly above the Maryland state average for private schools. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like Landon or National Cathedral often ranges from $45,000 to $55,000 for upper grades. Maryland's average private school tuition is approximately $15,000, highlighting the premium for these nationally recognized institutions. However, these schools typically offer substantial need-based financial aid. For example, Landon and NCS award millions in aid annually. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) program, which provides K-12 scholarships for eligible families to use at participating private schools, including some in this region.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Glen Echo, MD, vicinity that leverage the local Washington, D.C., environment?
Private schools in this area uniquely integrate the resources of the nation's capital into their curricula. Many offer specialized programs in global affairs, government, and STEM through partnerships with institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda or various embassies. For instance, students at Washington Episcopal School engage in "DC Explorations," while schools like Landon and NCS have robust internship and seminar programs that bring policymakers, journalists, and scientists into the classroom. Furthermore, proximity to the Potomac River and the C&O Canal allows for environmental science and outdoor education programs that are specific to the local ecosystem.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools near Glen Echo, Maryland, and how far in advance should parents apply?
The process for the most selective schools in the Washington, D.C., metro area is highly structured and begins well over a year in advance. The standard timeline involves starting research 18 months before entry (e.g., spring for fall admission two years later). Key steps include: attending open houses in the spring/summer before the application year, submitting applications by early January (often with deadlines between January 1st and 15th), completing student assessments and interviews in the winter, and receiving decisions in mid-March. For kindergarten entry at these top schools, it is not uncommon for families in Glen Echo to begin the process when their child is 3 years old. Early notification programs may exist for siblings or legacies.
For Glen Echo residents, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school (attending the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster) to the nearby private school options?
Glen Echo students are assigned to the highly regarded Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), specifically the Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) cluster, which includes top-ranked schools like B-CC High School. Key considerations are: **Cost** (public schools are tax-funded vs. high private tuition), **Class Size** (private schools often have 12-15 students per class vs. 25+ in public), **Educational Approach** (private schools may offer more specialized, mission-driven education like single-gender or Episcopal foundation), and **Resources** (both sectors offer robust AP/IB and extracurriculars, but private schools may have newer facilities and more niche programs). Many Glen Echo families choose the B-CC cluster, but those seeking a specific religious affiliation, a particular pedagogical approach (e.g., progressive), or a more intimate campus community often opt for the private options, accepting the commute and cost.
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