The Best Private Schools in Havre De Grace, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Havre De Grace. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The John Carroll School
Archdiocese of Baltimore
The John Carroll School is a highly-regarded co-educational Catholic high school serving the greater Harford County area, including Havre De Grace. Founded by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, it offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum with 24 Advanced Placement courses. The school features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. Students consistently achieve above-average SAT scores and college acceptance rates. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence with a robust extracurricular program including championship athletics, fine arts, and community service opportunities.
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St. Margaret School
Archdiocese of Baltimore
St. Margaret School is a premier Catholic elementary and middle school serving families throughout Harford County, including Havre De Grace. The school offers a balanced curriculum integrating faith formation with strong academics. Features include modern technology integration, dedicated science labs, and comprehensive arts programs. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. St. Margaret emphasizes character development and community service while preparing students for success in high school and beyond. The campus includes updated classrooms, library, gymnasium, and outdoor learning spaces.
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The Highlands School
Independent Catholic School
The Highlands School is an independent Catholic school serving students from preschool through eighth grade, drawing families from Havre De Grace and surrounding communities. The school combines Montessori principles in early childhood with traditional curriculum in upper grades. Features include innovative STEM labs, comprehensive fine arts program, and character education. The school offers small class sizes with individualized attention and maintains a strong track record of preparing students for competitive high schools. Campus facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art studio, and athletic fields. The school emphasizes whole-child development in a faith-based environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Havre De Grace, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and what grade levels do they serve?
Havre de Grace, MD, is served by a few key private institutions, each with distinct offerings. The John Carroll School in Bel Air is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory high school (grades 9-12) that draws many students from the Havre de Grace area. For younger students, St. Margaret School, a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school, is located directly in Havre de Grace. Additionally, The Highlands School, located in nearby Bel Air, is an independent, co-educational school for students with language-based learning differences, serving grades 1-12. While options within the city limits are limited, these nearby schools are primary choices for Havre de Grace families seeking private education.
How does tuition for private schools in the Havre de Grace, MD, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Havre de Grace area varies significantly by school type and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, St. Margaret School (Pre-K-8) has tuition ranging from approximately $6,000 to $9,000, while The John Carroll School (9-12) is around $19,000. The Highlands School, with its specialized program, has a higher tuition, often exceeding $30,000. Maryland offers several financial aid avenues. All these schools offer need-based financial aid through their own funds. Additionally, Maryland’s BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) Scholarship Program provides state-funded scholarships for eligible K-12 students to attend nonpublic schools, which can significantly offset costs for qualifying Havre de Grace families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools serving Havre de Grace that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay environment?
Private schools in the Havre de Grace area often integrate the unique Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River locale into their curricula. The John Carroll School offers robust environmental science programs and clubs that frequently utilize the nearby waterways for field studies and conservation projects. Its proximity to the Aberdeen Proving Ground also fosters strong STEM partnerships. St. Margaret School incorporates local history and ecology into its science and social studies units, with trips to the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Concord Point Lighthouse. This localized, experiential learning is a distinctive advantage of schools in this region, connecting classroom education directly to the community's natural and historical resources.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like The John Carroll School and St. Margaret School for families in Havre de Grace?
The enrollment process for Havre de Grace-area private schools generally begins in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year. For The John Carroll School (high school), the process for incoming 9th graders starts with open houses in September/October, followed by placement exam dates in November/December. Applications are typically due in early winter, with decisions released in February. St. Margaret School (Pre-K-8) often begins tours and applications in October, with rolling admissions thereafter, though early application is encouraged as spaces in younger grades can fill. Both schools require submission of records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview. It's crucial for Havre de Grace parents to contact admissions offices directly in the early fall to get specific dates and requirements.
For a family considering both public and private options in Havre de Grace, what are the key differentiating factors beyond curriculum?
Beyond curriculum, key differentiators for private schools serving Havre de Grace include community size, religious education (if applicable), and specialized support. Havre de Grace public schools are part of the larger Harford County Public Schools system, offering a standardized experience. In contrast, private options like St. Margaret School offer a smaller, faith-based community with uniform policies. The John Carroll School provides a focused college-prep environment with a defined athletic and arts tradition. For students needing specialized instruction, The Highlands School offers an alternative not available in the public system. The decision often hinges on a family's priorities for class size, religious formation, specific learning environments, and the desire for a community that may draw from a wider regional area beyond the immediate city.
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