The Best Private Schools in Tall Timbers, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Tall Timbers. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Evergreen Elementary and Middle School
Evergreen School
Evergreen Elementary and Middle School is a highly-rated Montessori school located approximately 15 minutes from Tall Timbers. Serving students from age 2 through 8th grade, the school provides a child-centered educational approach that fosters independence and love of learning. The curriculum integrates STEAM subjects with hands-on Montessori materials and extensive outdoor education opportunities. The school features purpose-built Montessori classrooms, science labs, art studios, and natural playgrounds, with strong emphasis on community involvement and character education.
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The Key School
The Key School
The Key School is a highly-regarded independent school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Located approximately 30 minutes from Tall Timbers, it offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. Key School emphasizes critical thinking, global citizenship, and character development, with strong arts and athletics programs complementing its academic excellence.
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The Calverton School
The Calverton School
The Calverton School is an independent, coeducational day school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, located about 25 minutes from Tall Timbers. The school offers both traditional college preparatory courses and International Baccalaureate programs, providing students with diverse learning pathways. Calverton features modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic facilities across its 15-acre campus. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes community values while preparing students for college success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Tall Timbers, Maryland
What are the main private school options serving families in Tall Timbers, Maryland, and what are their educational approaches?
Tall Timbers, located in St. Mary's County, is primarily served by several notable independent schools in the surrounding region. The Key School in Annapolis (approximately a 45-minute drive) offers a progressive, interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and the arts. The Calverton School in Huntingtown (about a 30-minute drive) provides a college-preparatory program with a blend of traditional and innovative teaching, featuring a renowned STEM program. Evergreen Elementary and Middle School, a Catholic school in nearby Mechanicsville, offers a faith-based education rooted in classical curriculum. While Tall Timbers itself is a small residential community, these schools represent the core private options that local families consider, often involving a commute.
How does tuition for private schools near Tall Timbers, MD, compare to the Maryland state average, and what financial aid options are typical?
Tuition for the primary private schools accessible to Tall Timbers families is generally at or above the Maryland private school average due to their reputations and programs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $25,000-$35,000 for lower/middle schools and $30,000-$40,000 for upper schools at institutions like The Key School and The Calverton School. Evergreen Elementary and Middle School, as a parish school, is typically more affordable, often in the $8,000-$12,000 range. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and Maryland state programs like the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) scholarship can provide additional, income-eligible families with K-12 scholarships to apply toward tuition at nonpublic schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Tall Timbers, MD, area that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay environment?
Schools serving the Tall Timbers community often integrate the unique Chesapeake Bay ecosystem into their curricula. The Key School has a strong environmental science program that utilizes its campus near water and often includes field studies on the Bay. The Calverton School's STEM program frequently incorporates marine biology and environmental stewardship projects relevant to Southern Maryland. Furthermore, schools in this region may offer sailing, crew, or waterfront activities as extracurriculars. This localized focus provides students with hands-on, place-based learning that connects classroom concepts to their immediate environment, a distinctive advantage of schools in this region.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools near Tall Timbers, and how far in advance should parents apply?
The enrollment process for competitive schools like The Key School and The Calverton School follows a traditional independent school timeline. Applications for the following fall typically open in September, with deadlines between January and February. The process includes submitting an application, standardized testing (such as the ISEE or SSAT), school records, teacher recommendations, and a family interview. For the best chance of admission, parents in Tall Timbers should begin researching and touring schools 12-18 months in advance, especially for entry into popular grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade. Evergreen Elementary and Middle School may have a more rolling admissions process but still encourages early application. Marking open house dates in the early fall is crucial.
For Tall Timbers residents, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public schools in St. Mary's County to the available private school options?
The decision often centers on class size, curricular focus, and commute. St. Mary's County Public Schools, while generally well-regarded, have larger average class sizes. Private options offer significantly smaller classes (often 12-18 students) and more individualized attention. Academically, private schools like Calverton and Key offer specialized tracks, advanced curricula, and unique programs (e.g., intensive arts, STEM) that may not be as deeply available in the public system. The major trade-off is the substantial financial investment and the daily commute to schools in Annapolis, Huntingtown, or Mechanicsville. Parents must weigh the value of a specific educational philosophy and community against the convenience and no-tuition cost of the local public schools, which for Tall Timbers is typically Dynard Elementary, Esperanza Middle, and Leonardtown High.
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