The Best Private Schools in Nottingham, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Nottingham. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Calvert Hall College High School
Private Catholic School
Calvert Hall College High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school for young men, located just 20 minutes from Nottingham. With a 180-year legacy of academic excellence, the school offers a rigorous curriculum emphasizing critical thinking and character development. The campus features state-of-the-art STEM labs, extensive athletic facilities, and comprehensive arts programs. Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a 100% college acceptance rate. The school's diverse extracurricular offerings include championship athletic teams, robotics, theater, and community service programs.
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The John Carroll School
Independent Catholic School
The John Carroll School is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory school serving the greater Harford County area, including Nottingham families. Founded by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the school offers a comprehensive academic program with 24 Advanced Placement courses and specialized STEM pathways. The 42-acre campus features modern science labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. John Carroll emphasizes faith formation, academic rigor, and personal development, with a strong track record of college placements at top universities nationwide.
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St. Paul's School for Girls
Independent Episcopal School
St. Paul's School for Girls is an independent Episcopal school providing exceptional education for young women in the Baltimore area, serving families from Nottingham and surrounding communities. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with emphasis on leadership, STEM education, and the arts. The beautiful 38-acre campus features advanced science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. With a focus on empowering young women through education, SPSG provides personalized attention, strong mentorship programs, and a supportive community environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Nottingham, Maryland
What are the primary private school options serving families in Nottingham, MD, and are they located directly in the town?
Nottingham itself is a residential community, so most of the top-tier private schools are located in the broader Baltimore County/Baltimore Metro area but actively serve Nottingham families. The most prominent options include Calvert Hall College High School (all-boys, Catholic, in Towson), The John Carroll School (co-ed, Catholic, in Bel Air), and St. Paul's School for Girls (all-girls, Episcopal, in Brooklandville). Nottingham parents typically consider a 15-30 minute commute to these institutions, which are accessed via I-695, I-95, and local routes. There are also smaller parochial and independent schools in nearby communities like Perry Hall and Rosedale.
How does tuition for private high schools near Nottingham, MD, compare, and what financial aid options are available?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at the leading schools near Nottingham ranges approximately from $18,000 to $25,000+ annually. Calvert Hall and John Carroll, as Catholic schools, often have slightly lower base tuition than some independent counterparts, but all schools offer substantial need-based financial aid. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded vouchers for eligible families to use at private schools, including those serving Nottingham. It's crucial to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admission, using platforms like FACTS Grant & Aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Nottingham area offer that differentiate them?
Schools serving Nottingham leverage their proximity to Baltimore's cultural and professional resources. Calvert Hall has a renowned Engineering and STEM program with extensive robotics competitions. The John Carroll School offers a distinctive Global Studies certificate and partnerships with local colleges for dual enrollment. St. Paul's School for Girls emphasizes leadership and women in STEM, with a strong Center for Leadership & Innovation. All three schools have robust athletic conferences (MIAA and IAAM) and arts programs that would require a much larger public district to replicate. Many also have unique January or May term experiential learning courses.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools near Nottingham, MD?
The process is highly coordinated across the Baltimore area. Critical steps begin in the fall of a student's 8th grade year. Open Houses are held from September to November. Application deadlines are typically in early to mid-January, with required components including standardized tests (like the HSPT), transcripts, recommendations, and a personal essay. Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are communicated in mid-March, with a family reply deadline in early April. For Nottingham families, it's common to schedule shadow visits at multiple schools during the fall, planning for travel to Towson, Bel Air, and Brooklandville.
For a family in Nottingham, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public schools (like Perry Hall High) and a private school in the region?
The decision often hinges on educational approach, class size, and specific student needs. Perry Hall High School is a large, comprehensive public school offering diverse AP courses and programs. Private options offer smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), a specific religious or values-based education (if desired), and a consistent community from middle through high school. For Nottingham families, transportation is a key factor: public school provides busing, while private school requires carpooling or private transportation. The investment in private tuition is weighed against the potential for a more tailored academic environment and specific college preparatory resources that align with a student's individual goals.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Small Private Schools Near Nottingham, MD for Your Child
For parents in Nottingham, Maryland, beginning the search for the right educational environment often starts with a simple but heartfelt query: "small private schools near me." This desire for a more intimate setting is about more than just class size; it’s about finding a community where your child is known, valued, and challenged as an individual. In our area, this search leads to a distinctive landscape of private institutions, each offering a close-knit atmosphere while being anchored in the strong traditions of Baltimore County. The benefits of a smaller school are tangible here, from the personalized attention that helps students navigate their academic journey to the strong sense of belonging that defines the daily experience.
When considering options in and around Nottingham, families will discover that several well-regarded schools exemplify the advantages of a focused community. While Calvert Hall College High School in Towson has a significant enrollment, its house system and brotherhood ethos create smaller, supportive communities within the larger whole, ensuring each young man is mentored closely. Just a short drive away in Bel Air, The John Carroll School offers a coeducational environment with a commitment to individual student growth, where teachers often form lasting advisory relationships with their students. For families seeking a single-gender education, St. Paul's School for Girls in Brooklandville provides a nurturing yet rigorous environment specifically designed to empower young women, with programs that cater to individual strengths and leadership development. These schools, though they may vary in total size, are all structured to prioritize personal connection.
Choosing a school in this region means considering the unique character of northern Baltimore County. Nottingham itself offers a blend of suburban comfort with easy access to both the cultural resources of Baltimore and the natural beauty of the Chesapeake watershed. A smaller private school nearby can become the central hub for your family, with a community that often extends beyond the classroom into local events, service projects, and extracurriculars that feel personal and impactful. The daily commute becomes part of the routine, connecting Nottingham’s neighborhoods to campuses in Towson, Bel Air, and Brooklandville, each trip reinforcing the choice to invest in an environment tailored to your child.
The practical step for parents is to move beyond the search and into the schools themselves. We strongly encourage scheduling visits and attending open houses. This is where the concept of "small private schools near me" becomes real. Walk the halls of these institutions. Observe the interactions between students and faculty. Ask about average class sizes, but also ask about how advisors support students, how clubs are formed, and how the school communicates with families. In a smaller setting, you’re not just enrolling your child in a school; you are integrating your family into a partnership. For Nottingham parents, the ideal fit is likely a school that feels like an extension of your own values—a place where your child’s name is known, their potential is recognized, and their journey is guided every step of the way.
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