The Best Private Schools in Midland, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Midland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bishop Walsh School
Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Bishop Walsh School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the Midland region and greater Allegany County. With a 57-year history of academic excellence, the school offers a rigorous curriculum including 15+ Advanced Placement courses and comprehensive STEM programs. The 40-acre campus features modern science labs, technology centers, and athletic facilities. Student-teacher ratio of 12:1 ensures personalized attention, with 100% college acceptance rate. Extensive extracurricular offerings include championship athletics, performing arts, and community service programs.
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Saint Peter School
Catholic Schools of Greater Cumberland
Saint Peter School provides exceptional faith-based education to students in Midland and surrounding communities. Established in 1953, the school combines classical education with modern technology integration. The curriculum emphasizes strong foundational skills in literacy and mathematics while incorporating comprehensive arts and athletics programs. Small class sizes allow for individualized instruction, and the school maintains strong community partnerships. Facilities include updated classrooms, computer lab, library, and gymnasium serving Pre-K through 8th grade students.
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Mount Savage School
Allegany County Public Schools (Private Division)
Mount Savage School serves as a leading private educational institution for the Midland area with a 48-year tradition of academic excellence. The school offers a challenging curriculum with advanced academic programs and comprehensive character education. Specialized programs include environmental science with outdoor learning labs, integrated arts curriculum, and technology-focused instruction. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, and extensive athletic facilities. Strong parent-teacher collaboration and community involvement contribute to high student achievement and satisfaction rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Midland, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families in Midland, Maryland, and what grade levels do they serve?
Midland, MD, is served by a small number of private institutions, primarily with religious affiliations. The notable options include Bishop Walsh School (Catholic, Pre-K through 12th grade), Saint Peter School (Catholic, Pre-K through 8th grade), and Mount Savage School (private, historically serving the local community, typically elementary and middle grades). Given the rural setting of Midland in Allegany County, these schools provide critical alternatives to the county public system. Families often also consider private schools in the larger nearby cities of Cumberland or Frostburg for a broader selection.
How does tuition at private schools in Midland, MD, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition at Midland-area private schools is generally below the high-end averages for Maryland's major metropolitan areas but is a significant consideration for local family budgets. For the 2023-2024 school year, elementary tuition at schools like Saint Peter School often ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 annually. Bishop Walsh, as a K-12 institution, has tiered tuition that increases for its high school program. All the Catholic schools offer parishioner discounts, sibling discounts, and need-based financial aid through programs like the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Partners in Excellence. Maryland also offers state-funded programs like the BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) scholarship, which is particularly valuable for lower-income families in Allegany County seeking private education.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Midland area that leverage the local environment or community?
Private schools in Midland and surrounding Allegany County often integrate the region's Appalachian heritage and natural landscape into their programs. Bishop Walsh School, for instance, may offer environmental science programs that utilize the nearby Appalachian Mountains and state parks for fieldwork. Its status as a Pre-K-12 campus allows for unique leadership opportunities for older students to mentor younger ones in a close-knit setting. Furthermore, the Catholic schools emphasize community service projects deeply connected to local needs in Western Maryland, such as food drives for county pantries. While specific advanced STEM or arts magnet programs are more limited compared to urban centers, these schools provide a strong, values-based education with a tight community focus.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Midland, Maryland, and are there waitlists?
The enrollment process for Midland's private schools typically begins in January or February for the following academic year, with priority given to existing families and parish members. For example, Saint Peter School and Bishop Walsh School have open houses in the early winter. The application process usually requires submission of records, a pastor's recommendation (for Catholic schools), and a family interview. Due to the small size of these schools, popular grades (especially kindergarten and pre-K) can fill quickly, leading to waitlists. It is highly advisable for Midland-area parents to initiate inquiries by December. Rolling admission may be available for other grades if space permits, but planning ahead is crucial in this limited-market environment.
For families in Midland, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public schools (Allegany County Public Schools) and the available private options?
The decision in Midland often centers on class size, religious education, and specific student needs. Allegany County Public Schools offer a standardized curriculum, transportation, and no tuition. In contrast, private schools like Bishop Walsh and Saint Peter offer much smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), a structured environment with integrated faith-based values, and a consistent educational philosophy from kindergarten through middle or high school. Parents seeking a college-preparatory track with a religious foundation may prefer Bishop Walsh's high school. However, the private option requires factoring in tuition, transportation (as busing may not be provided), and potentially a longer commute. The choice is deeply personal, balancing academic goals, family values, and financial logistics within the context of rural Western Maryland.
Private Education Insights
Midland Parents: Is Private High School the Right Choice for Your Teen?
For families in Midland, Maryland, the decision about where your child will attend high school is a significant one, deeply intertwined with our community's values and the unique opportunities of Western Maryland. While the town itself is small and close-knit, the educational landscape offers distinct pathways, particularly through private high school options. These institutions provide an alternative to the county public system, often characterized by smaller class sizes, specialized curricula, and a strong emphasis on community—qualities many Midland parents actively seek. Understanding what these local private schools offer, and how they align with your child’s needs, is the first step in this important journey.
In Midland and the immediate surrounding area, families have access to several notable institutions, though it's important to clarify the grade levels offered. Bishop Walsh School, a prominent name in Cumberland just a short drive away, is a premier private Catholic school serving grades K-12, making it a comprehensive option for a seamless private high school education. Closer to home, Saint Peter School in Westernport provides a strong foundational education through the eighth grade, meaning families committed to a private path must then look to options like Bishop Walsh for the high school years. Similarly, Mount Savage School historically served the community’s younger students. This landscape means that for a dedicated private high school experience, Midland families often consider schools within a reasonable commute, integrating the search into the rhythm of life in Allegany County.
Choosing a private high school here goes beyond academics. It’s about finding an environment that fosters individual growth within a framework that resonates with your family. Many local options, like Bishop Walsh, offer a college-preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, which can be crucial for students aiming for competitive universities. However, the benefit often cited by parents is the personalized attention. In a smaller setting, teachers know every student, which can be transformative for adolescents navigating their identities and futures. This close-knit dynamic mirrors the supportive nature of Midland itself, creating a consistent and reinforcing environment for teens.
For Midland parents, practical considerations are key. The investment in a private high school is substantial, so exploring financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and parish subsidies (for faith-based schools) is essential. Transportation is another local factor; with schools located in neighboring towns, carpooling networks often become a vital part of the family logistics. We encourage you to move beyond brochures and websites. The true feel of a school comes from a visit. Attend an open house, sit in on a class if possible, and talk to current parents and students. Ask specific questions about how the school supports students through the college application process, what extracurriculars are available despite a smaller size, and how they foster a sense of responsibility and community service—values held dear in our area. The right private high school will feel like an extension of the supportive, ambitious environment you strive to create at home, preparing your child not just for college, but for a life of purpose and contribution.
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