The Best Private Schools in Hillsboro, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hillsboro. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Gunston School
Independent School
The Gunston School is a highly regarded coeducational, independent, college preparatory day school serving students in grades 9-12. Located just 15 miles from Hillsboro, Gunston offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school features a 35-acre waterfront campus on the Corsica River, providing exceptional environmental science and marine biology opportunities. Gunston's curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, writing across disciplines, and hands-on learning. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and offers extensive extracurricular activities including competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and leadership development programs.
Programs:
The Country School
Independent School
The Country School is an independent day school serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, located approximately 12 miles from Hillsboro in Easton. The school offers a progressive, child-centered education that balances academic rigor with creative expression and character development. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and collaboration across all grade levels. The campus features extensive outdoor learning spaces, modern classrooms, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school is particularly noted for its strong foundation in literacy and mathematics, comprehensive arts program, and commitment to developing confident, well-rounded students prepared for success in secondary education and beyond.
Programs:
Saints Peter and Paul High School
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Saints Peter and Paul High School is a Catholic, coeducational college preparatory school serving students in grades 9-12. Located approximately 12 miles from Hillsboro in Easton, the school provides a comprehensive education rooted in Catholic values while welcoming students of all faiths. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, honors programs, and extensive STEM offerings. The campus features modern science labs, technology integration throughout classrooms, competitive athletic facilities, and a vibrant arts program. The school emphasizes character development, community service, and academic excellence, with graduates consistently gaining admission to top-tier colleges and universities.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hillsboro, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families in and around Hillsboro, Maryland?
Hillsboro, MD, is a small town on the Eastern Shore, so families often look to nearby communities for private school options. The most prominent local institutions include The Gunston School in Centreville (a co-ed, college-preparatory day and boarding school for grades 9-12), Saints Peter and Paul High School in Easton (a Catholic, co-ed high school), and The Country School in Easton (a pre-K through 8th grade independent school). Due to the rural nature of the area, some families also consider private schools in larger towns like Chestertown or across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Transportation can be a key consideration, as these schools serve a wide regional area.
How does tuition at private schools in the Hillsboro, MD, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to Maryland?
Tuition in the Hillsboro area varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges such as approximately $25,000-$30,000+ for upper schools like Gunston and Saints Peter & Paul, and $15,000-$25,000 for elementary/middle schools like The Country School. All these schools offer need-based financial aid. Additionally, Maryland has the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded vouchers for eligible K-12 students to attend private schools. This can be a significant resource for qualifying families in Caroline County and the Eastern Shore region.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Hillsboro, MD, offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools on Maryland's Eastern Shore often integrate the unique Chesapeake Bay environment into their curricula. The Gunston School, for instance, has a renowned Chesapeake Bay Studies program and waterfront campus, offering courses in marine biology, environmental science, and sailing. The Country School emphasizes outdoor and experiential learning on its 50-acre campus. Saints Peter and Paul High School offers robust college-prep academics with a values-based foundation. This regional focus provides hands-on learning opportunities distinct from urban or suburban private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Hillsboro, MD, families?
The admission process for Eastern Shore private schools generally begins in the fall, with application deadlines between January and February for the following academic year. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held in fall), submitting an application with recommendations and transcripts, and completing student visits/interviews and standardized testing (such as the SSAT or ISEE). For schools like Gunston that offer boarding, the process may have additional steps. Given the limited seats in these smaller community schools, starting early is crucial. Rolling admissions may be available if spaces remain, but popular grades fill quickly.
For families in Hillsboro, how do the local public school options in Caroline County compare with the nearby private schools?
Caroline County Public Schools serve the Hillsboro area, with schools like Colonel Richardson Middle and High School nearby. The comparison often centers on class size, specialized programs, and college preparation. Private schools like Gunston or The Country School typically offer much smaller class sizes (e.g., 10-1 student-teacher ratios), more individualized attention, and distinct college counseling. The public schools provide a no-cost option with their own programs. The decision for many rural Eastern Shore families involves weighing the investment in private education for specific academic or environmental focuses against the community-based, comprehensive education of the public system, with transportation being a practical factor.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Secular Private Schools Near Hillsboro, MD
For parents in Hillsboro, Maryland, beginning the search for the right educational environment for your child can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You’re likely seeking an option that aligns closely with your family’s values and your child’s unique needs, which often leads to the specific query for “secular private schools near me.” This search reflects a desire for a private education grounded in academic excellence and inclusive community values, without a religiously affiliated curriculum. In our charming corner of the Eastern Shore, this path offers some distinctive and wonderful possibilities worth exploring in detail.
Understanding the local landscape is key. Hillsboro itself is a small, historic town, creating a close-knit community feel that many families cherish. This intimacy often extends into the classroom environments of area private schools. While several excellent faith-based institutions serve the region, like the esteemed Saints Peter and Paul High School in Easton, your search for secular education directs you toward schools that focus on a different foundational philosophy. These institutions prioritize critical thinking, ethical leadership, and a broad, often globally-minded perspective, all within a framework that welcomes families of all backgrounds. This can be particularly appealing for those who value a diverse and inclusive academic setting.
When considering secular private schools near you, The Gunston School, located just a short drive away in Centreville, stands out as a premier example. This independent, co-educational day and boarding school for grades 9-12 is proudly non-sectarian, with a mission deeply connected to our Chesapeake Bay environment. Its waterfront campus isn’t just scenic; it’s integral to a curriculum emphasizing environmental science and stewardship, a perfect match for families who love the Eastern Shore’s natural beauty. Similarly, The Country School in Easton offers a rigorous, independent Pre-K through 8th grade education. Its secular approach fosters curiosity and character, preparing young learners for a wide range of secondary school options. The benefit here is a consistent, values-driven education without religious doctrine, allowing the focus to remain squarely on intellectual and personal growth.
Choosing this path in our area requires some practical considerations. Secular private schools often involve a significant investment, so exploring financial aid and scholarship opportunities is a crucial step—most, like Gunston, have robust programs to assist families. Transportation is another factor, as you’ll likely be commuting to neighbouring towns like Centreville or Easton, but many families find carpool communities easily within the tight-knit parent networks these schools cultivate. Ultimately, the search for secular private schools near Hillsboro is about finding a partner in your child’s education that reflects your family’s worldview. It’s about connecting with a community that challenges students academically while honouring a pluralistic society. We encourage you to visit, ask questions about their core values, and see firsthand how these dynamic learning environments might be the perfect place for your child to thrive, right here in our corner of Maryland.