The Best Private Schools in Sparrows Point, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Sparrows Point. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Notre Dame Preparatory School
Private Catholic College Preparatory for Girls
Notre Dame Preparatory School is an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women, serving students from Sparrows Point and throughout the Baltimore region. The school offers a challenging academic curriculum with 22 AP courses, innovative STEM programs, and extensive arts opportunities. The 30-acre campus features modern classrooms, science and technology labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. With a focus on leadership development and global citizenship, NDP maintains a 9:1 student-teacher ratio and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate to selective institutions nationwide.
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Calvert Hall College High School
Private Catholic College Preparatory
Calvert Hall College High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school for young men, serving the greater Baltimore area including Sparrows Point. Founded by the Christian Brothers, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM opportunities, and comprehensive arts and athletic programs. The 40-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school emphasizes character development and academic excellence, with 100% of graduates attending four-year colleges and universities.
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McDonogh School
Independent Pre-K through 12 School
McDonogh School is a highly-regarded independent day and boarding school serving students from Sparrows Point and the greater Baltimore area. The school offers a comprehensive educational program from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade on an 800-acre campus with exceptional facilities including science centers, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic complexes. McDonogh emphasizes academic excellence with a robust AP curriculum, innovative STEM programs, and diverse extracurricular opportunities. The school maintains small class sizes and features a distinctive outdoor education program that complements its strong college preparatory focus, with graduates attending top-tier universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Sparrows Point, Maryland
What are the primary private school options for families residing in Sparrows Point, Maryland, and how accessible are they?
While Sparrows Point itself is a small, historic community, families typically look to the broader Baltimore County area for private school options. The most prominent and accessible schools include Calvert Hall College High School (all-boys, Catholic) in Towson, Notre Dame Preparatory School (all-girls, Catholic) in Towson, and McDonogh School (coeducational, independent) in Owings Mills. These schools are all within a 20-35 minute commute from Sparrows Point via I-695 (Baltimore Beltway). There are very few, if any, private schools physically located within the Sparrows Point census-designated place itself, so commuting is a standard expectation for families seeking private education in this area.
How does tuition at top private schools near Sparrows Point, MD, compare, and what financial aid options are available?
Tuition for the leading schools in the region is significant and aligns with national independent school averages. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition ranges are approximately: McDonogh School ($38,000+ for upper school), Notre Dame Preparatory School ($25,000+), and Calvert Hall College High School ($21,000+). Maryland offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, a state-funded voucher that provides financial assistance for eligible K-12 students to attend nonpublic schools. Additionally, each of these schools has substantial need-based financial aid endowments. It is critical for Sparrows Point families to apply for financial aid simultaneously with admissions, as deadlines are early (often January/February).
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Sparrows Point offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay environment?
Several schools integrate the unique Maryland environment into their curricula. McDonogh School, for instance, has a strong environmental science program and a 800-acre campus with outdoor learning spaces. More specifically for the Sparrows Point area, some schools have partnerships or programs related to maritime studies, environmental stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay, and local history. Calvert Hall and Notre Dame Prep often incorporate service learning projects focused on Baltimore-area ecosystems. While not always a formal "maritime" program, the proximity to the Bay and the Port of Baltimore influences project-based learning and field trip opportunities in science and social studies that are distinct to this region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private high schools serving the Sparrows Point community?
The process is highly structured and begins well over a year in advance. For entry into 9th grade, the timeline typically starts in the summer before 8th grade with open houses and campus tours. Key steps include: taking the HSPT or SSAT entrance exams in the fall, submitting applications by December or January, completing student and parent interviews in winter, and receiving decisions in March. For Sparrows Point families, it's important to note that many students feeder from specific Catholic or independent middle schools, but all schools actively seek qualified candidates from public schools and diverse geographic areas, including eastern Baltimore County. Sibling and legacy considerations exist but do not guarantee admission.
For a family in Sparrows Point comparing local public schools (like Sparrows Point High School) with area private schools, what are the key differentiating factors?
The key differences lie in class size, curricular breadth, resources, and specific focus. Baltimore County Public Schools, like Sparrows Point High, offer a standard public curriculum with various tracks (like its renowned welding and manufacturing program tied to the local industrial history). In contrast, private schools like McDonogh, Calvert Hall, and NDP offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 15-1 student-teacher ratio), more advanced and extensive AP/college-prep offerings, globally-focused language programs, and consistently high college matriculation lists to top-tier universities. They also provide extensive extracurricular and athletic facilities that rival small colleges. The choice often hinges on a family's priority for a specific educational philosophy (e.g., single-gender, Catholic, independent college-prep) and their willingness to commute for those resources.
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