The Best Private Schools in Port Deposit, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Port Deposit. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The John Carroll School
Independent Catholic School
The John Carroll School is a highly-regarded independent Catholic school serving students from Port Deposit and surrounding areas. Founded by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 22 Advanced Placement courses. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complex. Notable programs include their STEM initiative, arts conservatory, and competitive athletics program with multiple state championships. The school maintains small class sizes and has a 100% college acceptance rate for graduates.
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The Tome School
Independent Private School
The Tome School is one of Maryland's oldest independent private schools, serving the Port Deposit region with a comprehensive college preparatory program. The school offers both traditional college prep and International Baccalaureate curricula, providing students with multiple pathways to academic excellence. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, and athletic fields. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement and offers robust extracurricular programs including competitive sports, drama, and community service opportunities.
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Saints Peter and Paul High School
Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
Saints Peter and Paul High School provides a comprehensive Catholic education serving students from Port Deposit and the broader Eastern Shore region. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum with numerous honors and advanced courses. Their STEM program includes advanced mathematics, robotics, and computer science courses. The campus features modern academic buildings, science labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere, dedicated faculty, and successful college placement record, with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Port Deposit, Maryland
What are the main private school options serving families in Port Deposit, Maryland, and what are their key characteristics?
Port Deposit itself is a small town, so most private schools serving the community are located in nearby areas. The primary options include The John Carroll School in Bel Air (a co-ed Catholic college-prep school for grades 9-12), The Tome School in North East (a co-ed, independent college-prep day school for grades Pre-K through 12), and Saints Peter and Paul High School in Easton (a Catholic, co-ed high school). For Port Deposit families, these schools are accessible commutes and offer distinct environments: John Carroll has a strong athletic tradition, Tome offers a continuous Pre-K-12 experience on one campus, and Saints Peter & Paul provides a faith-based education on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
How does tuition for private schools in the Port Deposit, MD area compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 year, The Tome School's upper school tuition is approximately $20,000, while The John Carroll School's tuition is around $19,000 for Catholic parishioners and higher for non-parishioners. Maryland offers several state-specific financial aid programs that Port Deposit families can utilize, most notably the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides vouchers for eligible students to attend private schools. Additionally, all these schools offer their own need-based financial aid and merit scholarship opportunities, making it essential to apply for aid directly through the school's financial aid service (like FACTS) and explore BOOST eligibility.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Port Deposit, MD?
Schools in this region leverage their proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and historical areas like the Susquehanna River. The Tome School, for instance, emphasizes its "Tome Traditions" and may incorporate local history and ecology into its curriculum. The John Carroll School offers robust STEM programs and a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Given Port Deposit's location, many of these schools have strong outdoor and environmental science programs. Extracurricularly, sailing and crew are notable offerings at some schools, taking advantage of the local waterways, and there is a strong emphasis on community service tied to the local region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like John Carroll or Tome for a student from Port Deposit?
The process typically begins in the fall of a student's 8th grade year for high school admission. Key steps include: attending open houses (often held September-November), submitting an application by a January deadline, providing transcripts and teacher recommendations, and completing a standardized entrance exam (like the HSPT for John Carroll or the ISEE for Tome). Admissions decisions and financial aid awards are usually communicated in March. For Port Deposit families, it's crucial to plan for transportation, as these schools are not in the immediate town. Some schools offer limited bus service from central pickup points in Harford or Cecil counties.
For a family in Port Deposit, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public schools (like Perryville High School) and a private school in the area?
The decision hinges on several factors unique to Port Deposit's context. Public schools offer a tuition-free education with specific programs like Perryville High's Biomedical Sciences magnet pathway. Private options offer smaller class sizes, distinct religious or independent educational philosophies, and often more extensive college counseling. A major practical consideration is commute time and cost—private schools require a daily drive to Bel Air, North East, or Easton. Additionally, private schools may offer a wider range of AP or specialized arts programs. Families should also consider the community environment; private schools draw students from a wider geographic area, which can be beneficial for networking but different from the localized community of a public school.
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