The Best Private Schools in Leonardtown, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Leonardtown. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Evergreen School
Independent
The Evergreen School is a highly-regarded Montessori school serving children from toddler through elementary years. Located in Leonardtown, the school emphasizes individualized learning, hands-on Montessori materials, and developing independence. The school features small class sizes with certified Montessori teachers, beautiful classroom environments, and a strong sense of community. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing atmosphere, excellent teacher-student ratios, and the strong academic foundation it provides. The campus includes outdoor learning spaces and age-appropriate facilities designed specifically for Montessori education.
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Little Flower School
Catholic
Little Flower School is a longstanding Catholic elementary school serving the Leonardtown and greater St. Mary's County area. As part of the Archdiocese of Washington, the school provides faith-based education from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school boasts strong academic programs with dedicated certified teachers, modern technology integration, and comprehensive extracurricular activities. Facilities include a science lab, computer lab, library, and gymnasium. Parents consistently highlight the school's strong community values, academic rigor, and the caring, experienced faculty. The school maintains small class sizes and offers extensive family support services.
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St. Mary's Ryken High School
Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools
St. Mary's Ryken is the premier Catholic college preparatory high school serving Leonardtown and Southern Maryland. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with 18 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM opportunities, and robust arts programs. The 65-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology labs, performing arts center, athletic complex, and modern classrooms. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, students receive personalized attention and college counseling. The school has a strong tradition of academic excellence with graduates attending top universities nationwide. Parents praise the school's commitment to character development, diverse extracurricular offerings, and preparation for college success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Leonardtown, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for K-12 education in Leonardtown, Maryland, and how do they differ in educational approach?
Leonardtown offers a few key private institutions covering different grade levels. **St. Mary's Ryken High School** is the main option for grades 9-12, offering a college-preparatory curriculum with a Catholic foundation, extensive athletics, and STEM programs. For younger students, **Little Flower School** provides a Catholic education for grades Pre-K through 8, emphasizing faith-based learning and community. **The Evergreen School** serves students with learning differences, such as dyslexia and ADHD, from grades 1-12, using a specialized, multisensory approach. This means parents in Leonardtown can choose between traditional parochial, college-prep, and specialized supportive environments without needing to commute to larger cities like Waldorf or Annapolis for similar options.
How does tuition at Leonardtown, MD private schools compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are uniquely available in Southern Maryland?
Tuition in Leonardtown is generally competitive within the Southern Maryland region but can vary. For the 2024-2025 year, St. Mary's Ryken High School tuition is approximately $19,000, Little Flower School is around $8,000 for elementary grades, and The Evergreen School, due to its specialized services, is higher. Compared to Maryland's statewide private school average (often over $25,000 for high school), Leonardtown options can be more accessible. Crucially, Maryland offers the **Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship**, a state-funded voucher program for lower-income families to attend private schools, which many local families utilize. Additionally, schools like St. Mary's Ryken have substantial endowed financial aid and parish subsidies for active Catholic families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Leonardtown private schools offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River environment?
Leonardtown's location in St. Mary's County deeply influences its private school programs. **St. Mary's Ryken High School** has a renowned **Marine Science Program** that includes hands-on studies on the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay, with partnerships at the nearby Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. Their sailing team also uses the local waterways. **The Evergreen School** incorporates environmental and outdoor education into its therapeutic model, using local ecosystems for experiential learning projects. This regional focus provides students with unique opportunities in marine biology, environmental science, and naval history that are specific to the Southern Maryland peninsula.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Leonardtown, and are there considerations for military families from NAS Patuxent River?
Enrollment timelines in Leonardtown often begin a full year in advance, with open houses typically held in the fall (October-November) for the following academic year. Application deadlines for schools like St. Mary's Ryken and Little Flower are usually in January or February. A key local consideration is the large population of military families from **Naval Air Station Patuxent River**. These schools are accustomed to mid-year transfers and have streamlined processes for military dependents, often accepting records flexibly and participating in the **Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children**. It's advisable for military families to contact the school's admissions office directly upon receiving orders to discuss availability and required documentation.
For families considering the choice, how do the private schools in Leonardtown, MD compare academically and in resources to the highly-ranked public schools in St. Mary's County?
St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) are consistently high-performing in Maryland, with schools like Leonardtown High offering robust Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. The choice often comes down to specific needs. Private schools in Leonardtown offer smaller class sizes (e.g., 15:1 vs. 25:1 in public schools), religious education (if desired), and specialized environments. The Evergreen School fills a critical niche for students needing intensive learning support not typically available in public school mainstream classes. St. Mary's Ryken offers a distinct college-prep culture with a 100% graduation and college acceptance rate. However, public schools provide a wider array of elective courses and extracurriculars due to larger size and funding. For families in Leonardtown, the decision frequently hinges on seeking a specific faith-based community, specialized learning support, or a smaller school environment versus the comprehensive, tuition-free offerings of the strong public system.
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