The Best Private Schools in Glenelg, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Glenelg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
McDonogh School
Independent
McDonogh School is a premier independent day and boarding school serving the Greater Baltimore area, including Glenelg families. The school offers a comprehensive K-12 education on an 800-acre campus with exceptional facilities including innovation labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. Academic programs are rigorous with a 100% college matriculation rate and strong emphasis on character education. The school is known for its diverse community, outstanding faculty, and extensive extracurricular offerings including championship athletic teams and renowned arts programs.
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Glenelg Country School
Independent
Glenelg Country School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory school serving students from age 2 through grade 12. Located just minutes from Glenelg, the school offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and personalized attention. The 90-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence, with strong programs in STEM, arts, and athletics. Parent satisfaction is high with particular praise for dedicated faculty and comprehensive college counseling.
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Garrison Forest School
Independent
Garrison Forest School is an independent college preparatory school offering all-girls education from grades K-12 with coeducational early childhood programs. Located approximately 20 minutes from Glenelg, the school provides a supportive yet challenging academic environment with particular strengths in STEM education and leadership development. The 110-acre campus features modern academic buildings, extensive athletic facilities, and a renowned equestrian center. The school emphasizes personalized learning with small class sizes and offers unique programs including partnerships with leading institutions. Parent reviews highlight the strong community and excellent college preparation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Glenelg, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Glenelg, Maryland, and what are their key characteristics?
Glenelg itself is home to the prestigious **Glenelg Country School**, a co-educational, college-preparatory day school for students from age 2 through Grade 12, known for its strong academics, arts, and athletics on a 90-acre campus. Nearby options include **McDonogh School** in Owings Mills (about a 30-minute drive), a large K-12 day and boarding school with extensive facilities and programs. **Garrison Forest School**, also within a reasonable commute, is a notable all-girls day and boarding school in Owings Mills with a co-ed program for younger children. The private school landscape in this part of Howard County is characterized by campuses with significant acreage, a focus on holistic education, and a strong college matriculation record.
How does tuition for private schools in the Glenelg, MD, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in this competitive market is significant, reflecting the extensive resources and facilities. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Glenelg Country School's tuition ranges from approximately $20,000 for early childhood to over $40,000 for upper school. McDonogh and Garrison Forest have similar high-tier pricing. Importantly, all these schools offer robust need-based financial aid programs for Maryland families. It's essential to apply for aid simultaneously with admission, as funds are allocated on a rolling basis. Maryland also offers the **BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) Scholarship**, a state-funded program for eligible families choosing nonpublic schools, which can provide substantial assistance.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Glenelg area that leverage their local setting?
Schools here utilize their expansive rural-suburban settings for distinctive programs. Glenelg Country School features a **Center for the Arts** and a strong emphasis on environmental science, with outdoor learning integrated into its curriculum. McDonogh School is renowned for its **Equestrian Program** and a 800-acre campus with a working farm, offering unique hands-on learning. Garrison Forest School has a nationally recognized **Science, Technology, and Research (STAR) Program** with partnerships at Johns Hopkins University and other local institutions. These programs benefit from the schools' proximity to both the natural environment of Howard County and the major academic and cultural resources of the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Glenelg Country School, and how far in advance should parents in Glenelg plan?
The admission process for these selective schools is extensive and begins well over a year before desired entry. For a fall start, the ideal timeline is to begin researching and touring schools in the **spring or early fall prior to the application year**. Application deadlines are typically in **January or February** for the following academic year. The process includes a completed application, student assessments/interviews, teacher recommendations, and school records. For Glenelg Country School's popular early childhood programs, waiting lists can form early. Siblings and legacy applicants often receive priority, so planning is crucial for new families in the Glenelg area.
For families in Glenelg considering the choice, how do the local private schools compare academically and culturally to the highly-rated Howard County Public School System (HCPSS)?
This is a key local consideration. HCPSS is consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Maryland and the nation. The choice often comes down to educational approach and specific needs. Private schools like Glenelg Country offer **smaller class sizes** (often 12-18 students vs. 25+ in public), more individualized attention, and a distinct mission-driven community. They may offer more flexibility in curriculum pacing, deeper arts/athletics integration, and different religious or philosophical foundations (though the top schools named are independent). The public schools provide exceptional academics at no direct cost, with diverse populations and extensive AP offerings. Many Glenelg families choose private education for a specific program fit, a preferred learning environment, or continuity from early childhood through 12th grade on one campus.