The Best Private Schools in Oxford, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Oxford. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Gunston School
Independent
The Gunston School is a premier independent, coeducational, college preparatory day and boarding school serving students in grades 9-12. Located just 15 miles from Oxford in Centreville, Gunston offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes and a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. The school features a 35-acre waterfront campus on the Corsica River, providing exceptional environmental science and marine biology opportunities. Gunston consistently achieves 100% college acceptance with graduates attending top universities. The school emphasizes leadership development, community service, and offers extensive athletics and arts programs.
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St. Luke's Montessori School
Montessori
St. Luke's Montessori School provides authentic Montessori education for children ages 3-12 in the nearby historic town of St. Michaels. The school serves families throughout the Talbot County region, including Oxford, and is known for its child-centered approach that fosters independence, critical thinking, and love of learning. The school features beautifully prepared classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and a strong sense of community. St. Luke's emphasizes hands-on learning, individualized instruction, and development of the whole child. The school maintains high academic standards while nurturing social-emotional growth and character development.
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Saints Peter and Paul School
Catholic
Saints Peter and Paul School is a highly-regarded Catholic private school located in nearby Easton, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum rooted in Catholic values with advanced placement courses and dual enrollment opportunities. Facilities include modern science labs, technology centers, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes and provides individualized attention, with graduates consistently accepted to selective colleges and universities. The campus serves families throughout Talbot County, including Oxford residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Oxford, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Oxford, Maryland?
Oxford, MD, and its immediate surrounding area on the Eastern Shore offer a few distinct private school options. The most prominent are The Gunston School (a co-ed, college-preparatory day and boarding school for grades 9-12), Saints Peter and Paul School (a Catholic school serving students from Pre-K3 through 8th grade), and St. Luke's Montessori School (focusing on early childhood education through a Montessori lens). Due to Oxford's small size, many families also consider private schools in nearby Easton, such as The Country School, or in other Talbot County towns. The limited number of local options means planning and early inquiry are essential.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Oxford, MD area compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for private schools in the Oxford area is generally in line with or slightly below the Maryland independent school average, reflecting the region's rural character. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $8,000-$12,000 for elementary grades at parochial schools to $30,000+ for upper grades at college-preparatory schools like Gunston. Importantly, these schools are committed to socioeconomic diversity. The Gunston School, for instance, awards over $1 million in need-based financial aid annually. Saints Peter and Paul School offers parish subsidies and need-based assistance. All schools encourage families to apply for financial aid during the admissions process, and some participate in Maryland state programs like the BOOST scholarship, which can provide significant tuition assistance for eligible families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Oxford-area private schools offer that leverage their Chesapeake Bay location?
Private schools in Oxford uniquely integrate the local environment into their curricula. The Gunston School's signature "Chesapeake Bay Studies" program is a prime example, featuring courses in marine biology, environmental science, and ecology that include hands-on research on the Corsica River and Bay. Many schools emphasize outdoor education and sustainability. Extracurriculars often include competitive sailing teams, canoeing, and environmental clubs that engage directly with the local ecosystem. This focus provides students with a distinctive, place-based education that connects classroom learning to the rich natural and maritime heritage of the Eastern Shore.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Oxford, Maryland, and how far in advance should parents apply?
The enrollment process for Oxford's private schools typically begins in the fall, one year prior to desired entry. For example, applications for Fall 2025 would open in September 2024. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held in October-November), submitting applications by January/February deadlines, and completing student assessments/interviews. Rolling admissions may be available for some grades if space permits. Given the small size of these schools, especially in the early grades and at the high school level (Gunston), it is highly advisable to initiate the process 12-18 months in advance. Sibling and legacy applicants often receive priority, so new families should be particularly proactive.
For a family considering both public and private education in Oxford, what are the key differentiating factors of the local private schools?
The key differentiators for private schools in Oxford, MD, include significantly smaller class sizes, specialized educational approaches, and distinct community cultures. Talbot County Public Schools, while serving the area, are consolidated into larger regional schools. In contrast, private options offer intimate settings; for instance, Gunston maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 6:1. Parents also choose private schools for specific philosophies (Montessori at St. Luke's, faith-based education at Saints Peter and Paul, or rigorous college-prep at Gunston) and for continuity—Gunston offers a 9-12 program, whereas the public high school is a consolidated county school. The decision often hinges on desired educational approach, community size, and the value placed on the unique environmental and specialized programs private schools provide.
Private Education Insights
Top Prep Schools Near Oxford, MD: A Parent's Guide to Local Excellence
When you find yourself searching for "prep schools near me" from your home in Oxford, you’re likely looking for more than just a list of names. You’re seeking an educational environment that aligns with the unique character of our historic waterfront town—a place that values community, fosters individual growth, and prepares students not just for college, but for thoughtful engagement with the world. Fortunately, the Oxford area offers a distinctive cluster of private schools, each with its own philosophy, that can provide that tailored preparatory experience right here on the Eastern Shore.
The concept of a preparatory, or "prep," school in our context often extends beyond the traditional image of rigid boarding schools. Here, it encompasses institutions dedicated to preparing students for their next academic steps through personalized attention and enriched curricula. For families in Oxford, this means options exist within a remarkably convenient radius, minimizing lengthy commutes across the bridge while providing exceptional quality. The Gunston School, for instance, located just a short drive away in Centreville, embodies a quintessential college-preparatory model. With its waterfront campus on the Corsica River, it mirrors Oxford’s own deep connection to the Chesapeake Bay, integrating environmental science and leadership into a rigorous academic framework that consistently sends graduates to top-tier universities.
For families seeking a preparatory education with a faith-based foundation, Saints Peter and Paul School in Easton presents a compelling option. This school offers a structured, comprehensive curriculum from preschool through eighth grade, emphasizing moral development alongside academic excellence. It serves as a direct feeder to the adjacent high school, creating a seamless, values-oriented educational journey for students. Meanwhile, for younger children, the preparatory path can begin with a focus on foundational independence and love of learning. St. Luke’s Montessori School in Oxford itself offers this, using the Montessori method to cultivate the intrinsic motivation, critical thinking, and self-discipline that are the cornerstones of future academic success. It’s a powerful reminder that the search for "prep schools near me" can rightly begin in the early years.
Choosing between these excellent options requires local consideration. Think about the daily rhythm of life in Oxford. A school’s schedule, its after-school programs, and its community events should harmonize with your family’s life on the Shore. Attend open houses and picture your child in those classrooms. Does the school’s culture feel like an extension of the close-knit, respectful community you value here? Furthermore, engage with other Oxford parents. Their firsthand experiences with transportation, student support, and how each school handles the transition to higher grade levels are invaluable. Your search for "prep schools near me" is ultimately a search for a partnership—a school that will work with you to nurture your child’s potential, leveraging the unique advantages of growing up in this special part of Maryland. The right fit is here, offering a profound educational preparation rooted in the local landscape you call home.