The Best Private Schools in Perryman, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Perryman. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The St. James Academy
Independent
The St. James Academy is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from Harford County and surrounding areas. Founded in 1992, it offers a rigorous academic program for grades K-8 with small class sizes, emphasizing character development, critical thinking, and hands-on learning. The school features modern facilities, including science labs and art studios, and provides a strong foundation in STEM and humanities. Extracurricular activities include sports, music, and community service, with high parent satisfaction due to its nurturing environment and dedicated faculty.
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The Odyssey School
Independent
The Odyssey School, established in 1994, is a top-rated independent school known for its innovative, project-based curriculum that serves families in the broader Baltimore region, including Perryman. It focuses on holistic education with strengths in arts integration, technology, and experiential learning. The school boasts dedicated teachers, modern classrooms, and a supportive community, with extracurriculars like robotics, drama, and outdoor education. Parent reviews highlight its inclusive atmosphere and academic excellence, making it a popular choice for Harford County residents.
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The GreenMount School
Independent
Founded in 1994, The GreenMount School is a progressive independent school that attracts students from Harford County and beyond. It offers a unique middle school program (grades 5-8) with a focus on environmental sustainability, social justice, and hands-on learning. The school features small class sizes, a dedicated faculty, and facilities that support its experiential approach, including outdoor classrooms and community partnerships. Extracurriculars include clubs, sports, and service projects, with high parent satisfaction for its engaging curriculum and strong sense of community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Perryman, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in or near Perryman, Maryland?
Perryman itself is a small, unincorporated community, so families typically look to nearby areas for private education. The top institutions serving the Perryman area include The St. James Academy (a Catholic, independent school in Monkton), The Odyssey School (a school for bright students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences in Stevenson), and The GreenMount School (a progressive, independent K-8 school in Baltimore). Additionally, many families in Harford County consider other regional options in Bel Air and the greater Baltimore area. Transportation is a key consideration, as these schools are not within walking distance of Perryman.
How does tuition for private schools serving Perryman, MD, compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for the schools serving Perryman aligns with or slightly exceeds Maryland's private school averages due to their specialized programs and lower student-teacher ratios. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $15,000 to $25,000+ for day schools. Maryland offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, a state-funded initiative that provides financial awards for eligible K-12 students to attend nonpublic schools. This can be a significant resource for Perryman families. Additionally, each school, like St. James Academy and GreenMount, typically has its own need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs.
What unique academic or specialized programs do private schools in the Perryman, MD, area offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools accessible to Perryman families are distinguished by their specialized educational approaches. The Odyssey School offers a highly structured, multisensory curriculum specifically designed for students with dyslexia and related challenges, a niche not typically filled by public school programs. The GreenMount School emphasizes experiential, place-based learning with a strong focus on environmental stewardship and social justice. The St. James Academy provides a rigorous, faith-based liberal arts education within a small, supportive community. These focused missions allow for tailored learning environments that differ from the broader curriculum of Harford County Public Schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. James, Odyssey, and GreenMount that serve Perryman families?
The enrollment process for these sought-after schools begins early. Prospective families should initiate inquiries 12-18 months before the desired entry date. Key steps include: attending open houses (typically held in the fall), submitting applications by January or February deadlines, providing student records and teacher recommendations, and completing student assessments or visits. For schools like The Odyssey School, a comprehensive educational evaluation is a required part of the admissions process to ensure proper placement. Rolling admissions may be available if spaces remain, but planning ahead is crucial due to competitive entry, especially for specific grade levels.
For a family in Perryman weighing options, what are the main practical considerations when comparing local Harford County public schools to private schools in the region?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. **Transportation:** Harford County Public Schools provide busing to Perryman residents, while private schools require personal or carpool arrangements, impacting daily logistics and time. **Class Size & Specialization:** Public schools offer a wide range of programs but with larger class sizes. Private options provide smaller, more personalized settings and specialized curricula (like Odyssey's dyslexia program). **Cost:** Public schools are tax-funded, whereas private tuition is a direct expense, though offset by aid like Maryland BOOST scholarships. **Community & Values:** Perryman's public schools offer a localized community, while private schools draw from a wider regional area and may align with specific religious or pedagogical values. Visiting both types is essential to feel the difference.
Private Education Insights
Exploring Private Boarding Schools: A Guide for Perryman, MD Parents
For families in Perryman, Maryland, the search for the right educational environment often leads to a consideration of private schools, a category that includes both local day schools and the broader world of private boarding schools. While our community is fortunate to have excellent local options like The St. James Academy, The Odyssey School, and The GreenMount School, which offer personalized, progressive day programs, the concept of a private boarding school can feel both intriguing and distant. It’s a decision that extends beyond curriculum to encompass a child’s entire living and learning ecosystem, and for Perryman parents, it requires careful local contextualization.
The first consideration is geography and community. Perryman’s location in Harford County offers a blend of suburban comfort and access to major metropolitan areas like Baltimore and Philadelphia. This proximity means that while a traditional private boarding school might involve a campus in New England or Virginia, there are also exceptional residential options within a few hours' drive. This regional accessibility allows for a hybrid approach; parents can more easily visit for family weekends, games, or performances, maintaining a strong connection to their child’s daily life. It transforms the boarding school experience from a distant venture into a manageable extension of the educational landscape available to Maryland families.
When evaluating private boarding schools, Perryman parents should weigh the unique benefits against what our local day schools already provide. Schools like The Odyssey School, with its focus on differentiated learning, or The GreenMount School’s emphasis on environmental stewardship, offer deeply nurturing, community-centered day programs. A private boarding school, however, offers an unparalleled level of immersive independence and structured responsibility. The 24/7 learning environment fosters time management, self-advocacy, and collaboration with peers from diverse backgrounds in a way that a day school schedule cannot replicate. It’s particularly worth considering for a student who is highly motivated, seeks specific academic or extracurricular programs not available locally, or thrives in a highly structured, communal setting.
Financially, the commitment to a private boarding school is significant and extends beyond tuition to include room, board, and associated fees. Maryland families should thoroughly investigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as many institutions offer substantial support. Furthermore, the emotional readiness of both the student and the family is paramount. It’s a transition that benefits from open conversations about homesickness, communication expectations, and the excitement of new independence. For a student from Perryman, accustomed to the close-knit feel of our area, finding a boarding school with a similarly supportive, rather than impersonal, community culture is essential.
Ultimately, the choice between our esteemed local private schools and a private boarding school is deeply personal. It hinges on your child’s individual needs, temperament, and aspirations. The best path forward involves visiting campuses, both local and residential, to feel the culture firsthand. Talk to administrators, teachers, and current students. By understanding the full spectrum of options—from the specialized day programs in our own backyard to the expansive opportunities of a private boarding school—you can make the most informed, confident decision for your child’s educational journey.