The Best Private Schools in Parkville, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Parkville. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame Preparatory School
Independent Catholic School
Notre Dame Preparatory School is an independent Catholic college preparatory school for girls in grades 6-12, located just minutes from Parkville. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes leadership development and community service, with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 ensuring personalized attention.
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St. Paul's School for Girls
Independent Episcopal School
St. Paul's School for Girls serves students in grades 5-12 and is known for its strong academic program and supportive community. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, innovative STEM programs, and extensive arts opportunities. The 38-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. With a focus on empowering young women, the school maintains small class sizes and offers robust college counseling services.
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McDonogh School
Independent School
McDonogh School is a premier K-12 coeducational independent school serving the greater Baltimore area, including Parkville families. The school offers a comprehensive academic program with 26 Advanced Placement courses and maintains a 100% college matriculation rate. The 800-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including innovation labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. McDonogh emphasizes character education and offers diverse extracurricular opportunities, with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and extensive college counseling resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Parkville, Maryland
What are the primary private school options for families in Parkville, Maryland, and are they actually located within the town?
While Parkville itself is primarily served by Baltimore County Public Schools, it is uniquely positioned within close proximity to several of the Baltimore area's most prestigious private institutions. The schools often considered by Parkville families include McDonogh School (located in Owings Mills, about a 20-minute drive), Notre Dame Preparatory School (in Towson, ~15 minutes), and St. Paul's School for Girls (in Brooklandville, ~20 minutes). These schools actively draw students from Parkville and the broader Baltimore County region. There are also smaller parochial and independent options within a similar radius. For Parkville residents, the private school landscape is defined by accessibility to these top-tier schools in neighboring communities rather than a large concentration within the town limits.
How does tuition for top private schools near Parkville, MD, compare to the Maryland state average, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for the leading private schools in the Baltimore area accessible to Parkville families is generally at or above the Maryland independent school average. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like McDonogh and St. Paul's ranges from approximately $35,000 to $40,000 for upper school. Notre Dame Prep is slightly lower but still significant. This compares to a state average for private high schools around $25,000. Critically, all these schools offer substantial need-based financial aid. McDonogh, for example, awards millions in aid annually, with packages that can significantly reduce the net cost for qualifying families. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) program, a state-funded K-12 scholarship for eligible families to use at private schools, which can be a crucial resource for Parkville residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools near Parkville, MD, offer that differentiate them from local public options?
The private schools accessible from Parkville provide specialized programs often beyond the scope of standard public school curricula. McDonogh School is renowned for its comprehensive arts and its distinctive "Eagle Works" engineering and design program. St. Paul's School for Girls has a strong focus on STEM and leadership development for young women, with dedicated institutes in these areas. Notre Dame Prep emphasizes global studies and offers a robust exchange program. All three schools feature extensive athletic facilities, lower student-to-teacher ratios, and college counseling that begins in earlier grades. For Parkville students interested in equestrian sports, McDonogh's nationally recognized program is a unique draw not found in the public system.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools in the Baltimore area, and how should Parkville families prepare?
The admission process for schools like McDonogh, St. Paul's, and Notre Dame Prep is highly structured and begins well over a year in advance. The timeline typically starts in the summer or early fall before the desired year of entry (e.g., fall 2024 for fall 2025 enrollment). Key steps include: attending open houses (often in September-October), submitting applications by January deadlines, taking standardized entrance exams (like the ISEE or SSAT) in the winter, and completing student interviews and shadow visits. Given the competitive nature, Parkville families are advised to start researching schools by the spring prior, ensure their child's academic records are strong, and secure teacher recommendations early. Missing key deadlines can significantly reduce chances of admission.
For a Parkville, MD family, what are the practical considerations regarding transportation to these private schools, which are located outside the town?
Transportation is a key logistical factor for Parkville families. None of the major private schools provide public bus service from Parkville. However, most schools operate their own private bus routes or shuttle services that may have stops in the Parkville/Towson area. For instance, McDonogh and St. Paul's run extensive bus networks covering many Baltimore County communities. It's essential to contact the admissions office for current route maps and fees. The daily commute can range from 15 to 45 minutes depending on traffic on the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) and other arteries. Carpooling with other local families is a very common and practical solution developed within school parent networks. Factoring in commute time and transportation costs is an important part of the decision-making process.
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