The Best Private Schools in Hollywood, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Hollywood. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Leonardtown Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten
Leonardtown Baptist Church
A highly-regarded Christian preschool and kindergarten serving Southern Maryland families with a strong focus on early childhood development. The school provides a nurturing environment with experienced teachers who focus on academic readiness, social skills, and character development. Parents consistently praise the caring staff, structured learning environment, and excellent preparation for elementary school. The program balances academic instruction with play-based learning and incorporates Christian values throughout the curriculum.
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Little Flower School
Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
A longstanding Catholic school serving Southern Maryland communities with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education. Little Flower School offers a rigorous academic program rooted in Catholic traditions while incorporating modern educational approaches. The school features dedicated faculty, small class sizes, and strong community involvement. Programs include advanced mathematics, science labs, music, art, and competitive sports. Parents consistently highlight the school's safe environment, academic excellence, and strong moral foundation.
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The Beddow School
Private Independent School
A well-established Montessori school serving Southern Maryland families with a child-centered approach to education. The Beddow School offers programs from early childhood through elementary grades, emphasizing individualized learning plans and hands-on Montessori materials. The school features experienced Montessori-certified teachers, beautiful campus facilities, and a strong focus on developing independence and critical thinking skills. Parents appreciate the school's nurturing environment, academic rigor, and successful preparation of students for future educational challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Hollywood, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families in Hollywood, MD, and what grade levels do they serve?
Hollywood, MD, offers a few established private school options, primarily at the younger grade levels. Leonardtown Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten provides early childhood education. Little Flower School, located in nearby Great Mills, is a Catholic school serving Pre-K through 8th grade and is a common choice for Hollywood families. The Beddow School, a private special education school in Waldorf, serves students with unique learning needs. For high school, families in Hollywood often look at private options in the broader Southern Maryland region, such as in Leonardtown or even across the bridge in Annapolis. This limited local availability means planning and early research are essential.
How does tuition for private schools in the Hollywood, MD, area compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for private schools serving Hollywood, MD, is generally below the state average for Maryland, reflecting the rural character of St. Mary's County. For example, Little Flower School's tuition is approximately $6,000-$8,000 annually for parishioners, which is competitive. However, the state of Maryland offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides income-based vouchers for eligible students to attend private schools. This program can significantly offset costs for qualifying Hollywood families. Additionally, many local private schools offer their own need-based financial aid and parish subsidies for member families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Hollywood, MD, offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Hollywood area often integrate the unique Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River environment into their curricula. Programs may include environmental science studies focused on local watersheds, maritime history units, and partnerships with organizations like the Calvert Marine Museum or Point Lookout State Park. Little Flower School, for instance, emphasizes a values-based education rooted in its Catholic identity, which is a significant draw for many local families. The smaller class sizes common in these schools also allow for more individualized attention and community-focused projects that connect students to the history and ecology of Southern Maryland.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Little Flower School that serve Hollywood, MD, families?
The enrollment process for popular private schools in the Hollywood area, such as Little Flower School, often begins nearly a year in advance. Priority registration for existing families and parish members typically opens in January for the following academic year, with open registration for new families commencing in February or March. The process usually involves submitting an application, providing academic records, a pastoral reference (for Catholic schools), and often a family interview. Due to limited seats, especially in sought-after grades, Hollywood parents are advised to initiate inquiries by the fall prior to the desired enrollment year to secure a spot and complete any necessary faith-based requirements.
For a Hollywood, MD, resident, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (St. Mary's County Public Schools) and a private school option?
The key considerations for Hollywood parents include educational philosophy, class size, and specific student needs. St. Mary's County Public Schools, like Leonardtown Elementary or Evergreen Elementary, offer no-cost education with robust resources, but can have larger class sizes. Private options like Little Flower provide smaller, faith-based learning environments with consistent discipline and a tight-knit community—a major appeal. For families with children requiring specialized support, The Beddow School may be a necessary alternative. The decision often hinges on the value placed on religious education, individualized attention, and the willingness to manage tuition, potentially with BOOST scholarships, versus the comprehensive, tax-funded programs and broader extracurricular offerings of the public system. Transportation is also a factor, as private schools do not provide county bus service.
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