The Best Private Schools in Madison, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Madison. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. John Regional Catholic School
Archdiocese of Baltimore
St. John Regional Catholic School serves students from pre-K through 8th grade and draws families from Madison and surrounding communities. The school offers a comprehensive Catholic education with strong academic foundations, including advanced STEM programs and fine arts. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. The school is known for its committed faculty, strong community involvement, and emphasis on character development alongside academic excellence.
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Saint Katharine Drexel Prep
Independent Catholic School
Saint Katharine Drexel Prep is a college-preparatory Catholic high school serving students from Madison and throughout Frederick County. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. The campus features state-of-the-art science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and modern athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes personalized attention, with a strong track record of college acceptance.
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The Banner School
Independent Private School
The Banner School serves students from pre-K through 8th grade and attracts families from Madison and the greater Frederick area. The school combines Montessori principles in early childhood with advanced academic programs in upper grades. Features include specialized STEM labs, extensive arts programming, and individualized learning plans. The school is recognized for its nurturing environment, experienced faculty, and strong emphasis on developing critical thinking skills. Campus facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, and outdoor learning spaces.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Madison, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families in Madison, Maryland, and what educational approaches do they offer?
In Madison, Maryland, and the immediate surrounding area of Frederick County, the primary private school options include St. John Regional Catholic School (Pre-K-8), Saint Katharine Drexel Prep (K-12), and The Banner School (Pre-K-8). St. John Regional offers a faith-based, traditional curriculum rooted in Catholic values. Saint Katharine Drexel Prep provides a college-preparatory, classical education with a Catholic foundation. The Banner School is an independent, secular school known for its progressive, project-based learning approach and small class sizes. Given Madison's more rural setting, these schools serve as central hubs for families in the broader region seeking alternatives to the local public school system.
How does tuition for private schools in the Madison, MD area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Madison area is generally competitive with or slightly below the Maryland state average for similar institutions, partly due to the lower cost of living in Frederick County compared to the DC suburbs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $8,000-$12,000 for elementary grades and $12,000-$16,000 for high school at the local schools. All three major schools offer need-based financial aid, and St. John Regional and Saint Katharine Drexel Prep typically have parish subsidy programs for active Catholic families. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) scholarship program, which provides state-funded vouchers for eligible low- and middle-income families to attend private schools, a key financial consideration for Maryland residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in Madison, Maryland, offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Madison area capitalize on Frederick County's rich history and natural surroundings. The Banner School integrates environmental science and sustainability into its curriculum, with potential for outdoor learning on its campus. Saint Katharine Drexel Prep, with its classical model, may incorporate local history—such as the region's significance during the Civil War—into its humanities and rhetoric studies. St. John Regional Catholic School emphasizes community service projects that engage with local Madison and Frederick organizations. Additionally, schools often partner with nearby cultural and scientific resources in Frederick City, such as the Maryland Ensemble Theatre or the STEM programs at Hood College or Fort Detrick, for enhanced educational opportunities.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Madison, MD, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Madison-area private schools typically begins in the fall, with open houses held from September to January. Application deadlines for the following academic year are often in late winter (January-February), with admission decisions communicated by March. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular grades like Kindergarten and 6th grade, waitlists are common at The Banner School and St. John Regional. A key local consideration is that many families from the broader, less densely populated county apply, so early inquiry is advised. Most schools require student assessments/visits, parent interviews, and records from previous schools. Saint Katharine Drexel Prep, as a K-12 school, may have a different entry point availability compared to the K-8 institutions.
For a family in rural Madison, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (Frederick County Public Schools) and a private school?
For Madison families, key considerations include commute, educational philosophy, and community. Madison's public schools are part of the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) system, with students typically attending Middletown area schools. The private school choice often involves a longer daily commute to Frederick or other towns. Academically, FCPS offers robust Advanced Placement and IB programs at the high school level, while private options like Saint Katharine Drexel Prep offer a distinct classical curriculum or The Banner School's progressive model. Private schools provide smaller class sizes and often a more close-knit community, which can be appealing in a rural area. Financially, one must weigh private tuition against the tax-supported, no-tuition public system, though the Maryland BOOST scholarship can help bridge the gap. The decision often hinges on whether a family seeks a specific religious foundation or pedagogical approach not available in the public system.
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